PhD Studentship in Local Structure Analysis of Nanostructured Energy Materials

Applications are sought for a PhD studentship joint between the University of Birmingham and Diamond Light Source, jointly funded by the Ada Lovelace Centre and the University of Birmingham starting in October 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The studentship will work on developing new tools for the analysis of total scattering data of energy materials. Optimising the performance of functional solid-state materials in applications such as energy production (e.g. solar cells) and energy storage (e.g. batteries and supercapacitors) is vital for achieving net zero targets.

Materials with layered structures have shown great promise in this area and materials that show limited long-range order between layers are particularly exciting because their interlayer chemistry can differ significantly from crystalline materials. This can potentially be tuned via the chemical composition of the layers and interlayer species. These materials are at the forefront of addressing key societal challenges: examples include hard carbon and disordered layered titanate as anodes for sodium-ion batteries, layered double hydroxides for catalysis and carbon di capture, and clay-based ion-exchangers for water remediation. However, these materials present a significant challenge to characterization: they do not possess long-range periodicity, meaning conventional methods to determine atomic structure e.g. single-crystal or powder diffraction cannot be used.

This project will develop and apply new analysis methodologies based on total scattering and pair distribution analysis of x-ray and neutron scattering/diffraction data. The project will involve aspects of x-ray diffraction and crystallography, in situ crystallographic studies, scientific coding and software development and machine-learning enhanced analysis and will come up with new models of how the atomic structure of layered materials changes during their operation.

This is a joint project between Dr Phoebe Allan at the University of Birmingham and Dr Alberto Leonardi at Diamond Light Source. The student will spend around 50% of their studentship located at Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire, and 50% located at the University of Birmingham. The project will include training in a range of state-of-the-art research techniques, which are directly applicable to a career in academia or industry. The student will also receive training in a diverse range of transferable skills, ensuring competitiveness in any employment sector.

Candidates should have or expect to receive a first or upper second (2.1) honours degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, physics, materials science, computer science or other related discipline. This 42-month studentship comes with a budget for training, conference attendance as well as for travel between Birmingham and Diamond Light Source. Applications should be made through the University of Birmingham’s online application system. Please contact Dr Phoebe Allan or Dr Alberto Leonardi in advance of applying, providing a CV and the contact details of two people able to provide a letter of reference. Further information can be obtained by emailing Dr Phoebe Allan (p.allan@bham.ac.uk).

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