Understanding the Role of Precursors in Catalyst Efficacy (Ref: CM/SD-SF2/2026)

About the Project

Catalysts will provide a growing pivotal role in the medium to long term global sustainable energy future that will need to produce less emissions and rely much less on oil. This project focuses on producing better catalysts for a more sustainable future through close control of the structure of precursor phases.

Research will focus on a family of materials which are often generated through pre-treatments of simple metal salts in different catalyst production synthetic regimes. The project will involve chemical experimentation and characterisation using a suite of different techniques to determine the efficacy of the catalyst produced and the quality of the reaction products (Xray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy). Supervised by Prof Sandie Dann (materials), Prof Ben Buckley (organic) and Dr Simon Kondrat (catalysis), it will be a self-funded project aligned with the UKRI EnerHy Centre for Doctoral Training focused on engineering sustainable hydrogen solutions to everyday needs. It will benefit from cohort training through EnerHy e.g responsible research, equity and diversity training and through the University Doctoral College portfolio of peer support, skills training and networking.

Loughborough has an appied research culture where 94% of the work submitted in REF 2021 was top-rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

Name of primary supervisor/CDT lead:
Prof Sandie Dann s.e.dann@lboro.ac.uk

Names of secondary supervisors:
Prof Ben Buckley link
Dr Simon Kondrat link

Entry requirements:
Students should have, or expect to achieve, a minimum of upper second class honours on a chemistry or material science programme. A 2:1 BSc qualification with appropriate master qualification at merit or better will also be considered acceptable.

English language requirements:
Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website (link).

Bench fees required: Yes - Bench fee value:Chemistry bench fee + 3K consumables

Closing date of advert: 30th June 2026

Start date: October 2026

Full-time/part-time availability: Full-time 3 years

Fee band: 2025/26 Band RB (UK £5,006, International £28,600

How to apply:
All applications should be made online. Under Campus, please select *Loughborough* and select Chemistry. Please quote the advertised reference number CM/SD-SF2/2026 and the project title, Understanding the Role of Precursors in Catalyst Efficacy, in your application.
To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit a CV and the minimum supporting documents.
The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them make a decision on your application. Please note that this criteria is used for both funded and self-funded projects.

Project search terms:
inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, hydrogen, catalysis

Email Address Sci:
sci-pgr@lboro.ac.uk