About the Project
Applications are invited for a PhD studentship (home or international) in photocatalytic air-to-fuel conversion under the supervision of Professor Erwin Reisner within the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge. The studentship targets the top candidates worldwide to join our international research team and on a 3.5 year scholarship starting in October 2027.
The Reisner Laboratory develops innovative technologies to convert solar energy into sustainable fuels and organic platform chemicals for a circular economy using a unique cross-disciplinary and collaborative approach.
Working with and learning from an experienced team of cross-disciplinary scientists, the PhD student will develop practical integrated systems for the capture and subsequent utilisation of atmospheric CO2 to produce green fuels and valuable chemicals. The focus will be on developing photocatalytic systems for gas-phase CO2 conversion to products and optimising these systems for integration with carbon capture processes. The PhD student will work with other PhD students and postdocs experienced in carbon capture and conversion, and the project will build upon previous work in the group and utilise the broad expertise within the group. The emphasis is on direct air capture, the coupling of carbon capture and solar-driven conversion, sunlight concentration, outdoor testing, as well as broad-spectrum light utilisation. This research will thereby develop carbon capture and utilisation technologies, and the research is part of a wider collaborative UK research network on the development of solar air-to-fuel technologies. The outcome is expected to be published in top tier academic journals and the potential generation of novel IP.
More information about the laboratory and project can be found here:
- Reisner Laboratory Website: https://www-reisner.ch.cam.ac.uk/
- Publication on direct air capture and gas-phase CO2 conversion: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-025-01714-y
- Review on solar air-to-fuel technologies: https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c21750
We invite applications from candidates who hold, or expect to obtain, the equivalent of a UK first-class Master's or honours degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline. The application deadline is 2 November 2026.
Applicants should submit the following documents by email to pa-reisner@ch.cam.ac.uk:
- A cover letter outlining their motivation for applying and describing their specific research interests.
- A detailed curriculum vitae (CV).
- Full academic transcripts.
In addition, applicants must submit a formal application, including reference letters, via https://www.ch.cam.ac.uk/pgapp/how-apply.
For any queries, please contact Gioia Gregori at pa-reisner@ch.cam.ac.uk.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.