Microbial engineering of novel catalysts for hydrogen production

About the Project

Project Overview: Hydrogen is increasingly seen as a critical component in achieving UK Net Zero targets. However, 80% of global hydrogen is produced via the Water-Gas Shift (WGS) reaction using iron–chromium catalysts, which are energy-intensive to produce and operate. Furthermore, chromium use raises significant health, environmental, and disposal concerns, prompting increasing regulatory and industrial pressure to find sustainable Cr-free alternatives. However, the design of Cr-free catalysts is hindered by a limited understanding of the impact of alternative dopants on the nanoscale structure and properties of these catalysts and how these features govern stability and activity in the WGS reaction.

Microorganisms offer a scalable platform for the synthesis of catalytic nanoparticles, including iron-based catalysts, under mild conditions. In addition, microbial incorporation of metal dopants can tune nanoparticle properties, significantly enhancing the catalytic activity. This project will exploit metal-reducing microorganisms to produce a suite of novel Cr-free biogenic catalysts, using controlled dopant incorporation and tailored microbial pathways to engineer catalyst structure and performance. These materials will be analysed using advanced spectroscopic methods and electron microscopy to determine how dopants and biosynthesis conditions influence catalyst nanoscale structure. Finally, catalyst activity will be evaluated under WGS conditions to establish clear synthesis–structure–activity relationships to facilitate the rational design and development of sustainable, high-performance catalysts for hydrogen production.

Training: The student will benefit from unique cross-disciplinary training, gaining experience in microbial cultivation, mineralogical analysis, and advanced characterisation techniques such as Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS). The student will also be supported through regular mentoring, professional development opportunities, and active integration into research groups across departments to help them develop strong networks with colleagues and collaborators.

Eligibility

Applicants are expected to hold, or about to obtain, a minimum upper second class undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Materials Science, Geosciences or a closely related discipline. A Masters degree in a relevant subject is desirable but not required.

Funding

This 3.5-year PhD project is fully funded and home students, and EU students with settled status, are eligible to apply. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26) and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2026.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

Before you apply

We strongly encourage you to contact the project supervisor, Richard Kimber (richard.kimber@manchester.ac.uk), in relation to any applications or initial questions.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert will be removed once the position has been filled.

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)