PhD Studentship: Energy Storage and Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Capture

Applications are invited for two 3.5-year PhD studentships based in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Alexander Forse. The first project will develop improved electrochemical energy storage devices known as supercapacitors, and the second project will develop new low-cost electrochemical processes for capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Research in the Forse group centres around the development of new materials for climate change mitigation. In the first available project, we will develop improved understanding supercapacitor energy storage devices. Building on recent work from the group that discovered the role of disorder in enhancing energy storage, we will seek to understand the mechanisms through which disorder enhances capacitance. In the second project, we will develop new electrochemical processes for capturing carbon dioxide in a highly energy efficient way. New materials and molecules will be developed, and the mechanisms of carbon capture will be studied in situ with new spectroscopic techniques, so that improved materials can be designed. 

The two projects will involve preparing/synthesising new materials, electrochemistry experiments, gas adsorption experiments, and mechanistic work using in situ NMR spectroscopy and computer simulations. The successful applicants will benefit from access to state-of-the-art gas adsorption instruments, potentiostats, two NMR spectrometers, and wet-lab space, as required for this project. 

Applicants must have (or expect to obtain) at least the equivalent of a UK upper second-class Master's degree in a relevant subject such as Chemistry. Practical experience of materials chemistry, or electrochemistry, or solid-state NMR spectroscopy would be beneficial, but is not essential. 

The studentship will commence in October 2026 and will provide a maintenance grant at the UKRI national rate, and tuition fees at the UK/home rate for 3.5 years. Non-UK applicants will be considered if they are able to fund the overseas fees differential, or if they are awarded a suitable scholarship. Full details of the University's entrance requirements and scholarships are specified on the following link: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/ 

For more information about the Forse group, please see: https://www.ch.cam.ac.uk/person/acf50 

For informal enquiries about the studentship, please contact Professor Forse via email at acf50@cam.ac.uk 

To apply, please submit an application through the University Applicant Portal (via the above ‘Apply’ button) for the course "PhD in Chemistry", naming Professor Alexander Forse as potential supervisor.

Please quote reference MA47722 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. We encourage a good work-life balance, and can accommodate flexible working arrangements.

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