Chemical Engineering: Fully Funded SU & Taisan PhD Scholarship in Gel Polymer Electrolytes for [...]

European Commission; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK is offering a fully funded PhD position focused on developing next-generation Gel Polymer Electrolytes for sodium-ion batteries. This opportunity combines academic rigor with collaboration with industry partners, providing a strong foundation in research skills and real-world applications. The successful candidate will work at a state-of-the-art research centre, contributing to significant advancements in battery technology and sustainable materials design.

Benefits

Full tuition and annual stipend

Research expenses up to £3000 per year

State-of-the-art laboratories

Opportunities to present at international conferences

Qualifications

• Must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level or equivalent.
• Open to UK and International students.
• IELTS 6.5 Overall or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Develop advanced Gel Polymer Electrolytes for sodium-ion batteries.
• Collaborate with industry partners to address real-world challenges.
• Conduct research driving innovation in battery technology.

Skills

Research Skills

Analytical Skills

Technical Skills

Education

Undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Engineering or relevant science

Job description

Organisation/Company Swansea University Department Central Research Field Engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 30 Jul 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2025 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

Sodium-ion batteries are rapidly emerging as a powerful alternative to lithium-ion systems—offering significant advantages in cost, sustainability, and safety. To unlock their full potential, advanced gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) are needed to boost energy density and reliability.

This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to develop cutting-edge GPEs that combine the safety of solid-state materials with the high performance of liquid systems. Through innovative ultraviolet photopolymerisation, you will synthesise and optimise eco-friendly GPEs using varying polymer blends, solvents, and crosslinking agents.

This initiative combines the expertise of a leading global battery R&D organisation and a specialist in polymer chemistry to develop GPEs with superior ionic conductivity and interfacial resistivity. The aim is to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation sodium-ion batteries.

Project Overview

This fully funded PhD offers an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of battery technology by developing next-generation Gel Polymer Electrolytes (GPEs) for sodium-ion batteries—a promising, sustainable alternative to lithium-ion systems.

Your research will drive innovation in battery manufacturing by focusing on:

• Advanced GPE Formulations – Investigate the gel’s structural properties and rheology to enhance precision in deposition and boost electrochemical performance.
• Optimised UV-Curing Methods – Improve polymer cross-linking techniques using advanced ultraviolet curing to achieve robust and high-performing electrolytes.
• Radiation-Assisted Processing – Explore low-energy, environmentally friendly curing strategies to enable scalable, low-carbon battery production.

This project bridges fundamental materials science with real-world industrial applications, offering a unique blend of academic rigor and impact-focused research.

Research Environment & Career Prospects

The successful candidate will be based at CAPTURE (Circular Approaches To Utilise and Retain Energy), a Centre of Expertise at Swansea University, established in 2020 to lead innovative solutions for the global energy transition.

At CAPTURE, you’ll benefit from:

• State-of-the-art laboratories and world-class expertise in materials science, battery technologies, and sustainable manufacturing.
• Direct collaboration with Taisan, a key industry partner, providing valuable exposure to industrial-scale challenges and hands-on application of your research.
• A strong foundation in technical, analytical, and research skills, enhancing your career prospects in academia, R&D, and the growing clean energy sector.
• Opportunities to present your work at international conferences, engage with industry stakeholders, and contribute to high-impact publications.

Beyond battery innovation, this research has far-reaching implications for sustainable materials design, low-carbon manufacturing, and the broader field of energy storage systems.

IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here .

Specific Requirements

O pen to UK and International students

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. See - Country Specific Entry Requirements page.

IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here .

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance,further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website .

ATAS clearanceIS NOT requiredto be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with ascholarship course offer.

Additional Information

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and annual stipend at standard UKRI rates (currently £20,780 for 2025/26).

Additional research expenses of up to £3000 per year will also be available.

International Fee Students: Fully funded if the applicant is successful in being offered a SUIPRES Scholarship as outlinedabove.

Eligibility criteria

O pen to UK and International students

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. See - Country Specific Entry Requirements page.

IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here .

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance,further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website .

ATAS clearanceIS NOT requiredto be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with ascholarship course offer.

Selection process

Please see our website for further information