electrolyte, which critically determines efficiency, durability, operating conditions, and overall system cost.

Currently, state-of-the-art fuel cells and electrolysers predominantly rely on perfluorosulfonic acid polymer membranes, such as Nafion®. While these materials exhibit high proton conductivity under well-controlled conditions, they suffer from a number of important limitations. These include high material cost, dependence on fluorinated polymers with environmental concerns, limited thermal stability, and strong performance degradation under low humidity or elevated temperature operation. Such constraints limit system efficiency, lifetime, and flexibility, and motivate the search for alternative membrane materials that can operate reliably under broader and more demanding conditions.

This PhD project aims to develop novel ionic conducting materials as next-generation electrolyte alternatives for fuel cells and electrolysers. Ceramic ion conductors offer a promising route to overcome many of the shortcomings of polymer membranes. They are typically non-flammable, chemically and thermally stable, and capable of maintaining structural integrity under harsh electrochemical environments, opens new possibilities for more efficient and robust hydrogen energy systems.

The project will focus on the design, synthesis, and optimisation of new materials capable of efficient ionic transport. Emphasis will be placed on tailoring composition, structure, and defect chemistry to maximise ionic conductivity while minimising electronic leakage and degradation.

A core component of the research will be the fundamental understanding of ionic transport mechanisms. The PhD candidate will investigate how dopants, microstructure, and processing conditions influence conductivity and stability. A broad range of advanced characterisation techniques will be employed, including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, thermal analysis, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. These studies will provide detailed insight into structure–property relationships and guide further materials optimisation.

In addition to fundamental materials development, the project will address membrane fabrication and device integration. The candidate will explore processing routes for producing dense, thin membranes suitable for electrochemical applications, as well as strategies for integrating these membranes into fuel cell and electrolyser assemblies. Performance will be evaluated under realistic operating conditions, with comparisons made against conventional Nafion-based systems. Particular attention will be paid to durability, long-term stability, and performance at different temperatures.

The project is highly interdisciplinary, sitting at the interface of materials science, solid-state chemistry, electrochemistry, and energy engineering. The successful candidate will receive comprehensive training in materials synthesis, advanced materials characterisation, and electrochemical testing, alongside opportunities to collaborate with academic and industrial partners working in hydrogen and energy technologies. The research outcomes are expected to contribute to the development of more efficient, durable, and sustainable fuel cells and electrolysers, supporting the wider deployment of hydrogen technologies in future energy systems.

This PhD is well suited to motivated candidates with a background in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related discipline, and an interest in energy materials and electrochemical technologies. The project offers the opportunity to work on a topic of high scientific relevance and real-world impact, while developing a strong skill set applicable to both academic research and industrial careers.

electrolyte, which critically determines efficiency, durability, operating conditions, and overall system cost.

Currently, state-of-the-art fuel cells and electrolysers predominantly rely on perfluorosulfonic acid polymer membranes, such as Nafion®. While these materials exhibit high proton conductivity under well-controlled conditions, they suffer from a number of important limitations. These include high material cost, dependence on fluorinated polymers with environmental concerns, limited thermal stability, and strong performance degradation under low humidity or elevated temperature operation. Such constraints limit system efficiency, lifetime, and flexibility, and motivate the search for alternative membrane materials that can operate reliably under broader and more demanding conditions.

This PhD project aims to develop novel ionic conducting materials as next-generation electrolyte alternatives for fuel cells and electrolysers. Ceramic ion conductors offer a promising route to overcome many of the shortcomings of polymer membranes. They are typically non-flammable, chemically and thermally stable, and capable of maintaining structural integrity under harsh electrochemical environments, opens new possibilities for more efficient and robust hydrogen energy systems.

The project will focus on the design, synthesis, and optimisation of new materials capable of efficient ionic transport. Emphasis will be placed on tailoring composition, structure, and defect chemistry to maximise ionic conductivity while minimising electronic leakage and degradation.

A core component of the research will be the fundamental understanding of ionic transport mechanisms. The PhD candidate will investigate how dopants, microstructure, and processing conditions influence conductivity and stability. A broad range of advanced characterisation techniques will be employed, including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, thermal analysis, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. These studies will provide detailed insight into structure–property relationships and guide further materials optimisation.

In addition to fundamental materials development, the project will address membrane fabrication and device integration. The candidate will explore processing routes for producing dense, thin membranes suitable for electrochemical applications, as well as strategies for integrating these membranes into fuel cell and electrolyser assemblies. Performance will be evaluated under realistic operating conditions, with comparisons made against conventional Nafion-based systems. Particular attention will be paid to durability, long-term stability, and performance at different temperatures.

The project is highly interdisciplinary, sitting at the interface of materials science, solid-state chemistry, electrochemistry, and energy engineering. The successful candidate will receive comprehensive training in materials synthesis, advanced materials characterisation, and electrochemical testing, alongside opportunities to collaborate with academic and industrial partners working in hydrogen and energy technologies. The research outcomes are expected to contribute to the development of more efficient, durable, and sustainable fuel cells and electrolysers, supporting the wider deployment of hydrogen technologies in future energy systems.

This PhD is well suited to motivated candidates with a background in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related discipline, and an interest in energy materials and electrochemical technologies. The project offers the opportunity to work on a topic of high scientific relevance and real-world impact, while developing a strong skill set applicable to both academic research and industrial careers.