PhD studentship on artificial leaves

Nanyang Technological University; Singapore; On-site; SGD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in Singapore invites applications for a fully-funded PhD studentship in materials science and engineering, starting August 2026. The role focuses on developing artificial leaves for sustainable fuel production, engaging in interdisciplinary research that spans material science, chemistry, and engineering. Candidates are expected to have experience in solar cell fabrication, device encapsulation, and advanced material characterisation techniques. This position welcomes both local and international applicants.

Qualifications

• Experience in interdisciplinary research combining material science, chemistry, and engineering.
• Familiarity with techniques for solar cell fabrication and testing.

Responsibilities

• Develop artificial leaves for sustainable fuel production.
• Interface materials with electrocatalysts for water splitting or CO2 reduction.
• Engineer scalable photochemical reactors.

Skills

fabrication of metal halide perovskite solar cells

device encapsulation and testing

quantification of gas and liquid products

design of 3D-printed reactors

advanced material characterisation

Education

PhD in relevant field

Tools

Solidworks

scanning electron microscopy

X-ray diffraction

Job description

School of Materials Science and Engineering

Organisation/Company Nanyang Technological University Department School of Materials Science and Engineering Research Field Chemistry » Solar chemistry Engineering » Materials engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Singapore Application Deadline 31 Jan 2026 - 12:00 (Asia/Singapore) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Aug 2026 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

Applications are invited for a fully-funded 4-year PhD studentship in the group of Asst Prof Virgil Andrei at NTU Singapore, starting in August 2026. The PhD position will focus on developing artificial leaves for sustainable fuel production, working at the interface between material science, chemistry and engineering. This interdisciplinary research will involve developing thin-film light absorber materials, interfacing them with selective electrocatalysts for water splitting or CO2 reduction, and engineering scalable photochemical reactors towards real-world applications.

The successful candidate will develop the following expertise during their PhD:

• fabrication of metal halide perovskite solar cells and oxide photoanodes
• device encapsulation and testing under laboratory and outdoor conditions
• quantification of gas and liquid products via gas chromatography, NMR, HPLC
• design of 3D-printed reactors in CAD software (e.g., Solidworks)
• advanced material characterisation using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction

We welcome Singapore-based and international applicants to join our group!

Interested candidates are invited to get in touch and submit a detailed CV to:

Asst Prof Virgil Andrei

School of Materials Science and Engineering