Qualification Type: | PhD |
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Location: | Newcastle upon Tyne |
Funding for: | UK Students, EU Students |
Funding amount: | £17,668 |
Hours: | Full Time |
Placed On: | 16th March 2023 |
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Closes: | 24th March 2023 |
Reference: | SNES251 |
Award Summary
100% home fees and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £17,668 (2022-23 UKRI rate).
Overview
Interested in using inspiration from mineral catalysts at natural hydrothermal systems to explore more sustainable methods to generate chemicals for industry? Alkaline hydrothermal systems are widely regarded as a likely site for early organic molecular synthesis and the origin of life on Earth, and potentially elsewhere in our solar system. Experiments mimicking the mixing of pressurised hydrogen-rich alkaline hydrothermal fluids with oxygen-free CO2-rich seawater have demonstrated the rapid fixation of inorganic carbon to organic molecules, and of oxidised nitrogen compounds to ammonia. Importantly, such reactions provide a novel potential alternative to, for example, traditional gas phase Fisher-Tropsch reaction pathways used in industrial organic chemical synthesis. In this PhD studentship you will focus on the role of transition metal defects within mineral catalysts in increasing the yields and specificity of organic molecule and ammonia synthesis, using mild hydrothermal conditions similar to those of natural alkaline hydrothermal systems. You will assess their relevance for both natural systems and for industry. You will receive training and gain skills in experimental design (including heated pressurised flow through reactors), inorganic and organic molecular analyses, and geochemical modelling.
Number Of Awards
1
Start Date
18th September 2023
Award Duration
3.5 Years
Application Closing Date
24th March 2023
Sponsor
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Supervisors
Dr Jon Telling (School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University)
Eligibility Criteria
You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent, or a Master’s degree, in a relevant science subject (e.g. Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Biology, or similar). Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements. This studentship is available for home students only, no International allocation is available.
How To Apply
You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal
Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.
Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:
You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Questions’ section:
Contact Details
Dr Jon Telling: jon.telling@newcastle.ac.uk
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