Understanding Passivity at the Atomic Scale

About the Project

The University of Manchester – Department of Materials

Are you excited by the idea of using world-class electron microscopy to uncover how materials degrade at the atomic scale? Join the University of Manchester, home to one of the most advanced materials characterisation facilities in the world and become part of a team pushing the boundaries of corrosion science and electron microscopy.

About the Project

Passivation provides the first line of defence protecting alloys from corrosion in demanding environments. Yet even the most resilient passivating alloys, including modern stainless steels, can fail locally when environmental factors compromise the protective film, leading to intense corrosion within microscopic pits or crevices.

This project investigates how bulk composition governs surface chemistry and how that relationship can be used to develop alloys with more robust passivity, since alloying elements contribute in different ways to passive-film behaviour. The work will examine the composition, structure and thickness of passive layers to clarify the atomic-level mechanisms that drive film breakdown in harsh environments such as elevated temperatures, low pH and the presence of aggressive ions. The focus is on stainless steels, as these insights could address long-standing questions in corrosion science, particularly regarding passivity and localised corrosion, and support the development of alloys with enhanced corrosion resistance or tailored surface functionalities. The overall goal is to establish compositional design rules for inherently stable, corrosion-resistant surfaces.

Although alloy passivity has been studied for decades, conventional electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques often lack the spatial resolution needed to identify where and how localised corrosion begins. In this PhD, you will use state-of-the-art electron microscopy, particularly advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), to probe passive films at the atomic scale. Complementary methods, including Focused Ion Beam/Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB/SEM) for targeted sample preparation and mesoscale morphology, and electrochemical characterisation to study film growth and breakdown, will provide a comprehensive picture of corrosion behaviour.

Why Join Us

You will have exceptional access to Manchester’s world-leading characterisation facilities and the opportunity to collaborate with experts across materials science and corrosion engineering. This project offers the chance not only to master advanced microscopy and electrochemistry, but also to develop into a researcher capable of bridging atomic-scale understanding with real-world industrial impact.

If you are fascinated by the idea of observing corrosion at the atomic scale and contributing to the design of next-generation materials, we invite you to join this project. We are seeking a candidate with a background in materials science, corrosion science, physical metallurgy, or a related discipline, and with experience in, or a willingness to learn, electron microscopy. Strong attention to experimental detail and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment are expected.

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

Funding

This 3.5-year PhD studentship is open to Home (UK) applicants. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26; subject to annual uplift), and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year.

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

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

How to apply

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

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
• 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)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.