Chemistry: Fully Funded EPSRC PhD Studentship on the Effect of Rotational Polarisation on Gas-surface Reactivity

Hydrogen is the most abundant molecule in the universe, and its interaction with surfaces plays a key role in a huge range of processes, from star formation to the safe storage of rocket fuel, to industrial catalysis and green energy production. This PhD project offers a rare opportunity to explore hydrogen surface collisions at a fundamental, molecular level to gain unprecedented insight into the role that rotations play in gas-surface collisions.  

Working within a well-supported and experienced research group, the student will join and further develop a unique Magnetic Molecular Interferometer (MMI) apparatus which allows us to control and manipulate the rotational orientation projection states of hydrogen molecules in gas-surface collisions, which can classically be considered to correspond to whether the molecules are preferentially rotating like a helicopter or a cartwheel before they collide with the surface. The PhD project, part of a prestigious Future Leaders Fellowship project (MR/X03609X/1), will explore whether changing the rotational orientation projection state of H2 molecules affects the probability that energy is transferred between the molecule and a surface as well as the reactivity of H2 with a surface.   

This project will involve using and further developing both the experimental and data analysis methods that are currently used within the research team. The student will learn how to use the MMI apparatus, gaining knowledge of, for example, molecular and atomic beams, ultra-high vacuum systems, cryogenic technologies and a range of measurement and surface science techniques. They will also analyse the experimental data, developing techniques to extract information about the rotational orientation dependence of the gas-surface reaction, as well as performing numerical simulations to determine how best to perform the measurements to maximise the information that can be obtained. 

Funding Comment

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). 

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available. 

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