PhD Studentship: Developing Self-Healing Coatings for Hydrogen Storage Systems

Award Summary

100% fees covered for four years and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate). An additional allowance will be provided to contribute towards consumables, equipment, and travel related to the project.

Number Of Awards

ReNU+ is a unique and ambitious programme that will train the next-generation of doctoral carbon champions who are renowned for research excellence and interdisciplinary systemic thinking for Net Zero. The ReNU+ vision is that they will become living examples of a highly skilled workforce delivering an equitable energy transition so that Net Zero is inclusive for all.

Hydrogen is a promising and clean energy carrier. One of the biggest challenges lies in its safe and efficient storage, particularly due to hydrogen embrittlement – a phenomenon where hydrogen atoms permeate storage materials, compromising their structural integrity. The research will create a multi-layered, self-healing coating that will limit hydrogen adsorption by the alloy and extend the lifespan of hydrogen storage vessels. This advanced coating will be applied to the inner walls of existing carbon steel gas cylinders. A combination of coating development chemistry with mechanical testing of the alloys in hydrogen rich environments will be used.

The ReNU+ CDT has hosted a number of online pre-application workshops to provide guidance on the application process. Watch recordings.

Start Date

October 2025 or January 2026

Award Duration

4 years

Application Closing Date

12th September 2025

Sponsor

HydroStar Europe

EPSRC

Supervisors

Prof Elizabeth Gibson

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree, or international equivalent, in chemistry, or chemical engineering, or in a closely related field. 

If you do not meet these entry requirements but have evidence of equivalent skills/expertise, please contact institution director (Prof Elizabeth Gibson) to discuss further.

Home and international applicants (inc. EU) are welcome to apply and if successful will receive a full studentship. Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.

International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme. 

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: 

• search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8208F
• leave the ‘Research Area' field blank
• select ‘PhD Energy Materials' as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:

• a ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form.
• the studentship code ReNU25_7 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field
• when asked for a research proposal, please upload a competency assessment form instead. You do not need to upload a research proposal.

In the ‘Supporting Documentation’ section please upload: 

• an up to date CV 

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application. You are welcome to apply to other studentships at the same time, as long as you cite the relevant code on each application (e.g. ReNU25_7 for this studentship). 

Contact Details

Elizabeth.gibson@newcastle.ac.uk

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