PhD Opportunities

CDT-ACM Background

The CDT-ACM programme trains new scientists to become experts in the application of Advanced Analytical Techniques for Materials Development. It offers training in the application of state-of-the-art characterisation techniques for materials challenges in five thematic key areas of societal importance:

1. Energy Materials
2. Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine
3. Engineering Materials
4. Electronic and Magnetic Materials
5. Instrumentation & Technique Development

The CDT is a collaborative endeavour between Imperial College London, University College London and Trinity College Dublin. In turn, for many of our projects, we partner with industry experts to deliver world leading training for our students. For more about the CDT see the ‘About the Centre‘ section of the website.

Programme Overview and Available Projects

Each research project will involve industry and academic experts from the university partners. You will spend time at all university sites during your research along with time at the relevant industry partner. Specially designed modules in characterisation will be interwoven with your PhD research project, and you will also receive professional development training. Students will take taught courses at the London universities during the first three months of their training, and will spend up to two weeks at Trinity College Dublin afterwards for further training.

The world-leading research that you will be involved with will be closely linked with real-world applications, as the projects will be aligned with the priorities of our network of industrial partners. On graduation you will be ideally qualified to follow a career path either in academia or industry. Our training philosophy is that our graduates will provide the innovation and creativity required to lead the world in the development, characterisation and manufacture of new materials, making a significant contribution to the quality of life for future generations.

Projects we are currently recruiting for are listed below and you can find further information by clicking the project title.

• Correlative X-ray and Neutron Studies of Li-ion Battery Performance and Degradation
• Development of more sustainable and healthier food products
• Electrochemistry in Confined Nanoscale Geometries
• Identifying species controlling activity and stability of metal oxide electrocatalysts for green hydrogen production
• Operando spectro-microscopic studies of interfaces in coated systems
• Revealing Electrochemical Defects in Commercial Li-ion Cathodes with 3D-DPDF
• Simultaneous wide and small angle operando neutron total scattering to probe electrolyte ordering in supercapcitors
• Tailoring organic semiconductors for photonics: photophysics and device exploitation from bio-theranostics to visible light communications (VLCs) and photovoltaics
• Taking Co/Ni superalloys into service

Eligibility and Application Process

We welcome applications from candidates for Autumn 2022 entry.

Candidates must:

• Hold, or be expected to achieve, a Master’s degree or a 4 year undergraduate degree at 2:1 level (or above) in a relevant subject, e.g. Material Science, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering.
• Be eligible for UK home tuition fee status. For guidance on home fee eligibility please see tinyurl.com/homefeestatus.

Application process:

1. Click the ‘Apply Now’ button at the bottom of this page to complete part one of the application process
2. Prepare 1 PDF file containing; a cover letter, your CV and academic transcripts. The file name should be in the format surname_firstname_CDTACM2022.pdf
3. Email your PDF file to team@cdt-acm.org.

The deadline for completed applications is 1 May 2022.

Funding

Research projects available in the current round of recruitment are co-funded by EPSRC and industry partners.

Funding for these projects will cover a tax-free stipend (approx. £17,000-£18,000) and fees at Home-student rate. Students also receive a set budget to assist with research related travel and experimentation.

Interviews

We will email those candidates who have been shortlisted in mid-May. Interviews will take place in May.

Due to the volume of applications the CDT attracts we are unable to provide feedback to those who are not shortlisted.

Elwin Hunter

Studying my PhD as part of the ACM CDT not only provided me with valuable training courses and workshops on characterisation techniques, but also regular academic seminars, team activities, and discussions to help expand my interests, both inside and outside of research.