Are you passionate about hydrogen and eager to drive the clean energy transition? Join an exciting PhD project in collaboration with Clean Power Hydrogen Group Ltd (CPH2), where you’ll pioneer next-generation electrolysis technologies to unlock the full potential of green hydrogen.
- Institution: Loughborough University
- Primary supervisor: Professor Sonya Calnan
- Conducted in collaboration with CPH2 Ltd
- Subject requirements: First-class or upper second-class degree (or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, other relevant Engineering and Science subjects, or relevant industrial experience.
- Duration of award: 4 years (full-time) up to 8 years (part-time)
- October 2026 start
Project summary
The goal of this project is to develop cost-effective, high-efficiency membrane-free alkaline electrolysers by innovating electrode materials and cell designs to advance green hydrogen production.
Capturing and storing energy from the unpredictable and intermittent resources of wind and solar is necessary to slow the climate crises caused by fossil fuel emissions. Using the renewable energy to produce hydrogen via membrane-free alkaline water electrolysis is among the most promising ways to achieve this without depending on other limited resources.
But there is a need to accelerate improvements in the efficiency and stability of membrane-free alkaline water electrolysis using cost-effective solutions. This research aims to (i) to develop novel electrode materials and geometries to reduce overvoltage and (ii) to develop novel cell and stack configurations to minimise the electrical energy consumption per kg of hydrogen.
Your research will synthesise novel electrode materials, characterise their properties and evaluate their electrocatalytic performance in membrane-free alkaline electrolysers. You will study the effects of the geometry and surface chemistry of electrodes, as well as the local flow rate of electrolyte on the bubble dynamics in the electrolysers. Most of these activities will be based at Loughborough University where you will have access to a variety of instrumentation for electrochemical analysis, product gas analysis as well as advanced material characterisation. You will gain hands-on industrial experience at CPH2’s site, working alongside the R&D Team led by Dr Nicholas Baynes.
You will receive specialist training through the Engineering Hydrogen Net Zero CDT.
Primary supervisor Sonya Calnan is happy to discuss this opportunity via email s.calnan@lboro.ac.uk.
Fees and funding
The studentship is for 4 years full-time, is fully funded with tuition fees at the UK rate covered and provides a tax-free stipend of £21,805 per annum. Additionally, £3,000 per annum is provided for consumables, travel, etc.
Ready to apply?
Please send your CV to both of the following emails (subject line: EnerHy studentship):
S.Kondrat@lboro.ac.uk
enerhy.cdt@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk
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Project code: LU-EnerHy 2025-26/CPH2
Full-time: WSRP25 CDT Engineering Hydrogen Net Zero PhD
Part-time: WSRP56 CDT Engineering Hydrogen Net Zero PhD