UK: PhD studentship – Nanostructured materials for energy storage application

Academic Supervisor: Dr Qi Zhang
Award: PhD
Duration: 3 years

Supported by EPSRC a studentship up to £13,500p.a. for 3 years plus fees* is available

Cranfield University has an exciting research opportunity for a motivated graduate which aims to develop new nanostructured electrode materials based mainly on LiFePO3 and related materials, which will then be used to build lithium-ion batteries. These new electrode materials will posses improved electrical conductivity, high capacity and good light-weight safety feature for military, commercial and consumer markets.

Improvement of mechanical and electrical properties of electrode materials through nanotechnology is currently a highly topical research area. The development of nanostructured electrode materials shows great potential for being the new generation electrode materials. However, success hinges on the development of effective and scalable means of processing these materials.

The successful candidate will be based within Cranfield University’s Microsystems and Nanotechnology Centre, which undertakes leading research spanning from the development of new functional materials through to prototyping of micro electromechanical system (MEMS) devices. There is the possibility of exchange visits to other laboratories for periods during the course of the PhD.

Start Date: 1 October 2010

Closing Date: 1 September 2010

Entry Requirements:

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline, such as chemistry, materials, or engineering. This project will involves the the integration of physics, chemistry, materials science and engineering, so strong knowledge across the field would be beneficial.

Funding:

*Supported by an EPSRC bursary this studentship will cover the tuition fees at the UK/EU rate only and provide a bursary of up to £13,500 p.a. for three years. To be eligible for this funding applicants must have:

• no restrictions on how long you can stay in the UK, i.e. no visa restrictions or have ‘settled status’, and
• have been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the grant and
• not been residing in the UK wholly or mainly for the purpose of full-time education. (This does not apply to UK or EU nationals).

All EU nationals are eligible to receive a fees-only award if they do not have ‘settled status’ in the UK.

All non-EU nationals are very unlikely to be eligible for this funding under the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations 1997.

For full details about eligibility please visit: www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTraining/StudentEligibility.htm

How to apply:

Please submit a CV and complete the application form at: www.cranfield.ac.uk/students/Applications/apply_pgresearch.pdf

Alternatively, for more information and an application form, please contact:

School of Applied Sciences
T: 44 (0)1234 754086
E: appliedsciences@cranfield.ac.uk
W: www.cranfield.ac.uk/sas/studentships?id=mathj