Programme Overview

Supervisors: Prof. Hao Liu

Programme Length: Four years

Contract Type: Full-time

Prospective Start Date: October 2026

The positions are filled on a first-in, first-served basis; therefore, we encourage early expression of interest.

Net2Zero Centre for Doctoral Training

The EPSRC and BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Negative Emission Technologies for Net Zero (CDT in Net2Zero) is an equal partnership between Aston University (lead), University of Nottingham, Queen’s University Belfast, and University of Warwick.

Through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration, this CDT aims to tackle global challenges related to climate change and sustainability.

The four-year doctoral programme is training the next generation of research leaders tasked to remove greenhouse gases from the environment.

The CDT in Net2Zero focuses on:

• Biomass to replace fossil fuels
• Removal (or capture) of CO₂ from the atmosphere
• Creation of new fuels and chemicals

Research areas include:

• Direct Air Capture and CO₂ Storage (DACCS)
• CO₂ utilisation
• Biochar synthesis and utilisation
• Biomass transition to materials and chemicals
• Biomass to energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)

Training and Development

Through the research training programme, you will be able to:

• Develop a network with doctoral researchers, academia, government and industry
• Access cutting-edge facilities and international collaboration opportunities
• Receive training in engineering, communication, entrepreneurship, and business skills
• Engage directly with industrial partners, policymakers, and third sector organisations
• Undertake a 3-month placement with industry or collaborators

Project Overview and Background

Oxy-fuel combustion, where fuels are combusted in pure oxygen or oxygen–CO₂ mixtures, produces a flue gas with high CO₂ concentration that simplifies sequestration. However, oxygen production is energy-intensive and currently relies on cryogenic distillation technology.

Mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) can be formed into dense ceramic membranes that selectively allow oxygen ions to pass, enabling efficient oxygen separation.

These membranes offer:

• 100% oxygen selectivity
• Reduced cost and energy penalty compared to cryogenic separation

However, challenges remain in developing membranes with both high oxygen permeability and stability. For example, BSCF (Ba₀.₅Sr₀.₅Co₀.₈Fe₀.₂O₃-δ) shows high permeability but poor CO₂ stability.

Project Aim

The project aims to demonstrate energy-efficient oxyfuel combustion of biomass using oxygen separation membranes.

Objectives:

1. Develop high-performance and stable mixed oxide ion–electronic conductors
2. Manufacture ceramic tube membranes
3. Conduct oxyfuel combustion of biomass using oxygen produced from membranes

Collaboration

This project is supported in collaboration with Nanodot Ltd.

Students will benefit from:

• Interdisciplinary training
• Skills development
• Industrial placement opportunities

Person Specification

Essential:

• First-class or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent), OR
• MSc with 60% or higher weighted average
• Knowledge of ceramic manufacturing
• Experience in characterisation of:
• Electrical properties (ionic and electronic conductivity)
• Crystal structure and chemical composition

Financial Support

• Four-year UKRI studentship stipend (£21,383 per year for 2026/27)
• Paid tuition fees
• Research Training Support Grant

Overseas Applicants

This opportunity is open to home fee status candidates only.

How to Apply

Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

EOI must include:

• Personal details
• Passport copy and status documents (if relevant)
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Research background and experience
• English language evidence (if required, may be submitted later)

Selection criteria:

• Motivation and alignment with CDT goals
• Relevant experience and research background

Shortlisted candidates may meet supervisors.