PhD Scholarship: Photovoltaic–electrocatalytic integrated devices for solar fuels and chemicals

Organisation/Company Imperial College London Department Department of Chemical Engineering Research Field Chemistry » Solar chemistry Engineering » Chemical engineering Physics » Applied physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 1 Nov 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/London) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Converting sunlight directly into fuels and chemicals offers a sustainable route to store renewable energy and decarbonise chemical production. This PhD project will develop integrated photovoltaic–electrocatalytic (photoelectrochemical) devices in which high-performance light absorbers are directly coupled with electrocatalysts to drive chemical reactions using solar energy.

A major challenge is integrating efficient photovoltaic materials, including emerging organic and halide-perovskite semiconductors, with aqueous electrochemical environments without compromising their performance or stability. The project will develop conductive and chemically robust interfaces and catalytic layers to translate high photovoltaic performance into efficient (photo)electrocatalytic reactions. Particular attention will be given to minimising electrical and optical losses, controlling catalyst–electrode interfaces to tune product selectivity, and understanding the mechanisms that determine long-term device stability.

The student will combine photovoltaic device fabrication, materials synthesis, electrochemistry, spectroscopy and microscopy with testing under simulated sunlight. Target reactions will include solar hydrogen production and the conversion of abundant molecules into value-added chemicals. The ultimate goal is to establish design principles for efficient, durable and scalable integrated solar-to-chemical devices capable of operating without an external electrical power supply.

This scholarship is open to all applicants regardless of their fee status. It covers both tuition fees and a tax-free contribution to maintenance costs of £25,000 per annum for 42 months.

The Department holds a Silver Athena Swan award for good practice in supporting academic women and gender equality renewed in 2024. This award recognises the good practices already in place for supporting women at all stages as well as our commitment to removing barriers to equal progress and achievement.

Deadline:

• 01 November 2026 for the first selection round
• 11 January 2027 for the second selection round
• 01 March 2027 for the third selection round (subject to availability of scholarships)

Skills/Qualifications

Bachelors and/or Masters in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics or related disciplines.

Requirements

Research Field Chemistry Education Level Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Research Field Engineering Education Level Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Research Field Physics Education Level Bachelor Degree or equivalent