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Operando Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

Reference number ENGMDM001

Funding
Funded
Study mode
Full-time
Apply by
Year round
Start date
Year round
Subject area
Mechanical Engineering
How to apply
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Overview

As part of new ERC Starting Grant funded by UKRI Horizon Europe guarantee focused on development of operando electrochemical scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to be employed to study the fundamental processes that lead to battery degradation as well as study of electron beam damage products in nonaqueous battery electrolytes during cycling.

About this opportunity

As part of new ERC Starting Grant funded by UKRI Horizon Europe guarantee focused on development of operando electrochemical scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to be employed to study the fundamental processes that lead to battery degradation as well as study of electron beam damage products in nonaqueous battery electrolytes during cycling. The goal of both of these sub-projects is to make transformative advances in battery development by using the unique direct visualisation capabilities of the STEM to directly identify and quantify the key electrochemical processes dominating the performance of energy storage systems. Such observations will directly verify simulations and modelling while providing key signatures that can be identified in other characterisation methods. During the first year will be focused on training and in-depth understanding of the subject. In the consecutive years you will be performing independent research working with Li-ion and beyond Li-ion batteries and study their degradation mechanism. Final year will be dedicated to thesis and independent research.

The output of your work will be communicated through presentation and participation in the nation and international scientific meeting, as well as publications and collaborations.

Further reading

B. L Mehdi, Nano Lett. 2015, 15, 3, 2168–2173, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b00175

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Who is this for?

Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a Master’s Degree or equivalent in a Physics, Material Science, Chemistry or Mechanical Engineering. Exceptional candidates with a First Class Bachelor’s Degree in the above mentioned fields with significant experience in MathLab, Python, Electrochemistry is highly desirable to be considered.

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How to apply

  1. 1. Contact supervisors

    Candidates wishing to apply should complete the University of Liverpool application form to apply for a PhD in Materials Engineering

    Please review our guide on How to apply for a PhD | Postgraduate research | University of Liverpool carefully and complete the online postgraduate research application form to apply for this PhD project.

    Please ensure you include the project title and reference number ENGMDM001 when applying.

    Supervisors Email address
    Prof B. Layla Mehdi b.l.mehdi@liverpool.ac.uk
    Prof Laurence Hardwick Laurence.Hardwick@liverpool.ac.uk

  2. 2. Prepare your application documents

    You may need the following documents to complete your online application:

    • A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake)
    • University transcripts and degree certificates to date
    • Passport details (international applicants only)
    • English language certificates (international applicants only)
    • A personal statement
    • A curriculum vitae (CV)
    • Contact details for two proposed supervisors
    • Names and contact details of two referees.

  3. 3. Apply

    Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

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Funding your PhD

This UKRI funded Studentship will cover full tuition fees (for 2025-26 this is £5,006 pa.) and pay a maintenance grant for 3.5 years, at the UKRI standard rates (for 2025-26 this is £20,780 pa.) The Studentship also comes with access to additional funding in the form of a Research Training Support Grant to fund consumables, conference attendance, etc.

UKRI Studentships are available to any prospective student wishing to apply including both home and international students. While UKRI funding will not cover international fees, a limited number of scholarships to meet the fee difference will be available to support outstanding international students.

We want all of our Staff and Students to feel that Liverpool is an inclusive and welcoming environment that actively celebrates and encourages diversity. We are committed to working with students to make all reasonable project adaptations including supporting those with caring responsibilities, disabilities or other personal circumstances. For example, If you have a disability you may be entitled to a Disabled Students Allowance on top of your studentship to help cover the costs of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result. We believe everyone deserves an excellent education and encourage students from all backgrounds and personal circumstances to apply.

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Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Prof B. Layla Mehdi
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