PhD Studentship - Materials chemistry: silicon nitride-based battery materials (1259820EB)

Supervisor:                 Prof Andrew Hector

Project description

A fully funded PhD studentship is available to develop synthesis routes to silicon nitride-based battery materials. This project combines synthetic inorganic chemistry that will further develop methods developed in our group (http://dx.doi.org/DOI:10.1039/c5dt04961j) with opportunities to explore a range of characterisation methods and to test capability of the materials in lithium and sodium batteries. See http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2016.05.009 for further information on previous work in this area.

You will join a well-established activity in Southampton in developing new inorganic materials for energy storage applications. The project will be based in highly quality lab space in the Synthetic Chemistry building in Southampton, and there is good on-site access to diffraction, spectroscopy and microscopy facilities. There are also likely to be opportunities to use central facilities including the Diamond synchrotron and national NMR and XPS centres. In addition, we are well equipped to carry out battery material testing.

The project will be supervised by Prof Andrew Hector, Dr Nuria Garcia-Araez and Dr Marina Carravetta. Suitable candidates will have good lab skills and an interest in expanding that skill set – we are not expecting the incoming student to already have experience in all of these areas. Southampton offers an exceptional programme of postgraduate modules in characterisation methods and in electrochemistry, and the synthetic skills are best developed through practice in the lab.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Prof Andrew Hector, Electrochemistry Research Group, Email: A.L.Hector@soton.ac.uk

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing date: applications should be received no later than 31 May 2020 for standard admissions, but later applications may be considered depending on the funds remaining in place.

Funding: full tuition fees for EU/UK students plus for UK students, an enhanced stipend of £15,285 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years. 

How To Apply

Applications should be made online, please select the academic session 2020-21 “PhD Chemistry (Full time)” as the programme. Please enter Andrew Hector under the proposed supervisor.

Applications should include: 

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts to date

Apply online: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/how-to-apply/postgraduate-applications.page

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is central to the ethos in Chemistry. In recognition of our continued commitment to improving equality for women in science we were awarded an Athena SWAN Silver award in 2014 a and a second Silver award in 2017.  Chemistry gives full consideration to applicants that wish to work flexibly including part-time and due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy*, onsite childcare facilities. For further information please visit https://www.southampton.ac.uk/chemistry/about/Equality/index.page

*subject to qualifying criteria

Closing Date: 31 May 2020
Post Type: PhD Studentship (Funded)