Developing Advanced Materials and High-Throughput Automation

UCL Chemistry is offering a fully funded three-year industrial PhD studentship in collaboration with Carbolite. The project will develop automation platforms that will be used by the student for advanced inorganic materials synthesis. By integrating robotic sample handling, high-throughput processing, intelligent automation and new materials, the project aims to transform the speed and reproducibility with which new materials can be developed (e.g. battery materials, catalysts, phosphors, etc.).

The successful candidate will work at the interface of materials chemistry, characterisation, automation and artificial intelligence. Working closely with researchers at UCL and engineers from Carbolite, the student will contribute to the development and validation of automated synthesis platforms (for example, a fully automated furnace) capable of producing materials libraries under precisely controlled conditions. Experimental validation studies will initially focus on battery cathodes before extending to other exemplar materials systems. The data generated by these platforms will be used to establish processing–structure–property relationships and create high-quality datasets for future AI-assisted materials optimisation. The student will receive multidisciplinary training in advanced materials synthesis and characterisation, robotic automation, hardware integration, high-throughput experimentation, data analysis, and industrial research. Regular interaction with the industry partner will provide valuable experience in translating fundamental research into commercially relevant technologies while contributing to the development of next-generation automated laboratory synthesis equipment.

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second-Class Honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical or other engineering, Physics or a closely related discipline. Candidates must have experience of coding and preferably have some basic experience of automation (but the latter is not essential).

Interested candidates should send a CV and covering letter to Prof Jawwad A. Darr before completing the formal UCL application process. Please note that a suitable applicant will be required to complete MS Form entitled Application for Research: degree Chemistry programme. In addition, it is essential that suitable applicants complete an electronic application form at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/apply (please select Research degree: Chemistry programme) prior to the application deadline and advise their referees to submit their references as soon as they possibly can. All shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview no more than 4 weeks after the application deadline. Any admissions queries should be directed to Fahmida Yasmin or Dr Jadranka Butorac at doctoral.chem@ucl.ac.uk.

Funding Notes

Applications are welcome from UK nationals, EU students with settled/pre-settled status and students with indefinite leave to remain or enter. Please note that the studentship only covers home fees. The updated rules for eligibility for home fees for next year are available at View Website.