The QUT Centre for Materials Science and School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering are looking for talented individuals to undertake PhDs applying cutting-edge experiment and modelling approaches to the development of advanced sodium-ion batteries.

These PhD positions (up to three) will be supervised by Professor Cheng Yan and an expert team.

International applicants are welcome.

About the project and scholarships

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) demonstrate a great potential to replace expensive lithium-ion batteries for energy storage as sodium is low-cost, safe and abundant as compared to lithium. However, the larger radius of sodium ions often lead to a sluggish kinetics process, and they cannot intercalate into commonly used anode materials like graphite.

This project aims to investigate the atomic level sodium storage mechanism and develop novel electrode materials via combined experiment and atomistic modelling. The expected outcomes will help develop next generation batteries, aligned well with the National Battery Strategy—leading the charge towards a competitive and diverse Australian battery industry (May 2024).

QUT received the highest national rating for Materials Engineering, Nanotechnology, Materials Chemistry, and Theoretical, Computational Chemistry. Prof Yan is a research leader of processing, mechanical characterisation and modelling of electrode materials for various batteries. His group has conducted in situ characterisation, nanomechanics tests and atomistic modelling to understand the effects of microstructure, stress and material degradation on the performance of rechargeable batteries. Molecular dynamics (MD), density functional theory (DFT) and phase field modelling have been used to understand the interface phenomena for development of new electrode materials. With the support of Australia Research Council and university funds, he has built up three university wide labs for composites processing, battery testing and mechanical characterisation.

The successful applicant will receive a living allowance stipend, tax exempt and indexed annually of $33,637 per annum for a period of 3.5 years. In addition to the living allowance stipend, the successful applicant will receive student allocation funding of $3,000 towards conference travel. The project cost will be covered by two newly granted Australia Research Council (ARC) Discovery Projects.

International students will receive a full tuition fee sponsorship.

Eligibility/application criteria

First-class or second-class division A bachelor honours degree (GPA over 6) in a relevant field (material/mechanical/chemical engineering or chemistry or physics) or master in the relevant field with a research component, preferably having a journal publication as the first author

A general interest in material science and engineering and electrochemistry.

Ideally you will also have experience with material characterisation (SEM, TEM, XRD), electrochemical testing or numerical modelling (FEA, MD or DFT).

Application closing date

This opportunity will remain open until filled.

More information

Please contact Professor Cheng Yan ([email protected]) for further information.