PhD Scholarship: Photocatalytic routes sustainable chemical transformations

Organisation/Company Imperial College London Department Department of Chemical Engineering Research Field Chemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Final date to receive applications 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

Photocatalysis offers a powerful route to use light energy to drive chemical transformations under mild conditions, potentially replacing energy-intensive thermal processes and enabling more sustainable pathways to fuels and value-added chemicals. This PhD project will develop photocatalysts for selective chemical transformations of renewable and abundant carbon-containing feed stocks using solar irradiation or tailored artificial light sources.

The project will focus on semiconductor photocatalysts, including metal chalcogenides, perovskites, organic semiconductors and heterostructured materials, combined with co catalysts and interfacial engineering strategies to control charge separation and surface reactivity. A central objective will be to understand how photogenerated electrons, holes and radical intermediates can be directed towards desired chemical pathways while suppressing competing reactions. Particular attention will be given to controlling reaction selectivity through catalyst composition, electronic structure, interfaces and reaction conditions.

The student will combine materials synthesis, photocatalytic testing, spectroscopy, microscopy and photoelectrochemical characterisation with mechanistic studies of reaction intermediates.

Target reactions may include C–C bond-forming transformations, selective oxidation and reduction reactions, and the upgrading of small oxygenates or biomass-derived molecules into higher-value chemicals. The influence of irradiation wavelength, intensity and reactor configuration will also be investigated, enabling the development of photocatalytic processes compatible with both intermittent solar irradiation and continuous LED operation. The ultimate goal is to establish design principles for efficient and selective photocatalytic chemical synthesis, linking catalyst properties, light delivery and reaction pathways to routes that can ultimately be translated towards scalable chemical production.

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 (higher chances)
• 11 January 2027 for the second selection round (lower chances)
• 01 March 2027 for the third selection round (subject to availability of scholarships)

Research Field Chemistry Education Level Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Bachelors and/or Masters in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials Engineering or related discipline