PhD Scholarship in Material Science/Electrochemistry
Project description:
A highly-motivated PhD student is required to work on a 4-year project as part of the ambitious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant project SOFT-PHOTOCONVERSION (grant no. 716792), the main objective of which is to explore a new paradigm in solar energy conversion by achieving efficient charge separation at electrified liquid-liquid (or “soft”) interfaces, without solid electrodes.
The PhD student will develop expertise in:
1. All commonly used electrochemical techniques (voltammetry, impedance, etc.).
2. Photochemistry and electrochemistry at electrified liquid-liquid interfaces.
3. In situ spectroscopic techniques (UV/vis, IR and Raman especially).
The SOFT-PHOTOCONVERSION project will be carried out in Dr Scanlon’s group (RG profile) in the newly established Bernal Institute at the University of Limerick. The Bernal Institute offers state-of-the-art equipment (potentiostats, scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM), drop-shape analysers, UV/vis and Raman spectrometers, etc.) and unrivalled working conditions.
Eligibility criteria:
- Master degree with focus on Material Science, Electrochemistry or a related discipline.
- Willing to develop in both fields.
- Previously demonstrated experience characterising solar cells, e.g. dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is an advantage.
- TOEFL or IELTS certificate is a MUST! That is a requierement to be able to teach Irish students. Ideal for TOELF: 580+ paper based, 90+ internet based; for IELTS: 6.5+.
Salary/Stipend:
We offer an attractive stipend of €18,000 in the first year of the PhD, rising to €19,669 by year four. As attending Irirsh university is not free of charge, the European Research Council (ERC) will cover those PhD student fees (in numbers €24,138 over the course of the 4-year PhD).
Closing Date:
ASAP until the vacancy is filled.
Contact:
Dr. Micheál D. Scanlon, Lecturer, Department of Chemical Sciences & Bernal Institute, email: micheal.scanlon(at)ul.ie
To facilite communications, questions in Russian might be addressed Dr. Evgeny Smirnov, email: evgeny.smirnov(at)epfl.ch.
