PhD Studentships in Electrochemistry, Materials Chemistry, Electrocatalysis, Batteries and Fuel Cells

University of Warwick – Hartnoll Centre for Experimental Fuel Technologies at the University of Warwick

PhD Studentships in Electrochemistry, Materials Chemistry, Electrocatalysis, Batteries and Fuel Cells

Hartnoll Centre for Experimental Fuel Technologies at the University of Warwick

WE ARE RECRUITING 15 PhD students (UK and International) to start in September/October 2026.  Each 4-year studentship is generously funded with an enhanced stipend, all tuition fees covered, and research support funding, including for participation in conferences.

Students will join the Hartnoll Centre for Experimental Fuel Technologies, which aims to develop innovative fuel cell and battery technologies, underpinned by fundamental understanding. The Centre is an exciting venture bringing together leading research groups in the Department of Chemistry, Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) and the School of Engineering at the University of Warwick. With world-leading expertise and facilities in electrochemistry, materials chemistry, spectroscopy, microscopy, modelling and battery and fuel cell construction and testing, we aim to develop next generation electrochemical energy technologies through holistic views of fuel cells (especially ammonia fuel cells) and different kinds of batteries, including metal and metal ion (Li, Na, Ca etc.), rechargeable aqueous batteries,  and redox flow batteries. Our Centre is able to study processes from the nanoscale to device level, and we complement cutting edge measurement science and materials synthesis with advanced modelling.

In addition to the range of exciting projects offered, the cohort of HCEFT PhD students will benefit from bespoke training courses and opportunities for collaboration across the departments (within Warwick, nationally and internationally).

Candidates with first degrees (Bachelors and/or Masters) in all branches of Chemistry, Physics,  Mathematical Sciences, Materials Science and Engineering, and Chemical Engineering are welcome to apply.

If you are seeking an exciting opportunity to become part of a multidisciplinary team of esteemed researchers converging around the shared technologies and innovative research methods essential for battery and fuel cell development please read through the opportunities below and click here for information on how to apply to the Centre.

Department of Chemistry

There are 5 PhD studentships available in the Warwick Electrochemistry and Interfaces Group led by Profs Patrick Unwin and Julie Macpherson

Profs Unwin and Macpherson are internationally-leading electrochemists with vast experience across electrochemistry. The Warwick Electrochemistry and Interfaces Group offers ground-breaking instrumental electrochemical techniques, especially in the fields of nanoelectrochemistry, electrochemical imaging, kinetics and mechanisms, hydrodynamic techniques, spectroscopy, microscopy (AFM and STEM), programming, data analysis, and multiphysics modelling.

Example project areas include:

1. Impact of metal or metal alloy crystallographic orientation on ammonia electrocatalysis to enable design of the most efficient catalysts.