About the Project
About 20% of the world's electricity production is used for lighting and powering our displays, which account for 6% of the world's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) have a major role as energy-saving technology with applications in displays, solid-state lighting panels, wearable electronics, sensors, and virtual/mixed-reality displays. New advanced materials discoveries are highly required on multiple fronts to increase OLED devices' colour purity, device lifetime, and light output and reduce energy consumption.
Applications are sought for a dual PhD studentship in the development of the "Advanced energy materials for bright and efficient optoelectronic devices" with a particular focus on the discovery of new light-emitting materials and their use in future lighting technologies. The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Alexander Romanov and Prof. Michael Turner at the University of Manchester (2 years) and Prof Zhiwei Liu at the College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Peking University (2 years, China). The project is part of a comprehensive programme exploring a new family of strongly photo-emissive coinage metal complexes based on carbene-metal-amide (or acetylides) and the doublet state-luminophores based on Ce(III) or Eu(II) complexes. These materials recently demonstrated excellent photoluminescent properties and are capable of producing OLEDs with high efficiency and operating stability (Advanced Materials, 2024, 36, 2306249; Advanced Materials, 2024, 36, 2404357; Adv. Mater. 2024, 36, 2408118; Adv. Func. Mat., 2025, e05661). The successful applicant will become a part of the established team at the University of Manchester and will work in collaboration with Peking University (Prof Zhiwei Liu). The post will involve substantial collaboration and would suit an ambitious, highly motivated and practical researcher with some experience in synthetic inorganic chemistry and/or organic materials chemistry. There will also be the opportunity to develop complementary skills in the photophysical characterisation and OLED device fabrications, therefore, an additional interest in materials science would be desirable. Applicants should hold a First degree (2:1 or above) in Chemistry.
Eligibility
Entry via Manchester for the scheme is open to UK and international students.
All Chinese nationals (Mainland China, Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong) should apply via Peking University.
Fulfil The University of Manchester entry requirements
- Hold (or expect to achieve) an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master's degree at merit in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (international equivalents to be checked with the admissions team, [contact details available in the full listing]).
- All applicants will need to demonstrate competency in English language. Applicants who do not already possess an acceptable English Language qualification will need to take a recognised test and attain a minimum IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6 in writing and listening, and 5.5. in all other sub-tests or equivalent. Please note that a timely demonstrable minimum English language level is a requirement of the UK Home Office for the issue of student visas to the UK. For some projects an ATAS certificate may also be required by them.
- Demonstrate willingness to travel to two partner institutions to complete the programme.
- Fulfil the Faculty of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Researcher person specification.
ALSO Fulfil the Peking University entry requirements:
- Hold a master's-level certificate (MSc, MChem or MEng) at merit or distinction (or international equivalent to be checked with UoM admission team).
- Applicants must obtain their final degree certificate and complete the academic qualification verification with the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) by September 2027 (we will guide you on this process if you are successful)
Before you apply
We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply.
How to apply
To be considered for this project you must complete a formal application through our online application portal. If you already have an applicant account this link will directly open an application for Manchester-Peking programme. If you don't already have an applicant account, please follow the instructions here.
When applying, you'll need to specify the full name of this project as displayed on this page including UoM-Peking at the beginning, the name of your supervisor, how you're planning on funding your research, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. Please, enter "Dual award funding" in the field asking about how you're planning on funding your research.
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.
If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing [contact details available in the full listing]
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and are at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).
Funding Notes
Fees are waived at both Manchester and Peking. Students recruited by Manchester will receive an annual stipend at the minimum UKRI rate (2026/27 rate £21,805, 2027/28 rate tbc), while they are in Manchester for a maximum of two years. Additionally, Manchester students traveling to Beijing will receive an allowance to cover the flight and visa costs.
All students based in Manchester will also receive a research training grant of up to £5,000/year to support project running costs and consumables. Students recruited by Manchester will need to apply for the China Link Scholarship (CLS) funding to cover their stipend and provide guaranteed on-campus accommodation whilst at Peking University. The living standard provided by the CLS stipend is expected to be comparable with that at Manchester under UKRI stipend.
