Summary
Cranfield University is offering a fully funded PhD studentship supported by EPSRC through the Doctoral Landscape Award. The project will develop direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cell technology for efficient, carbon-free heat and power generation. It includes a tax-free annual stipend of £24,500, tuition fee support and research costs for three years.
Scholarship Details
- Designation: Fully Funded PhD Studentship
- University: Cranfield University
- Award Type: PhD
- Funding: EPSRC and Cranfield University
- Stipend: £24,500 per year, tax free
- Duration: Three years, full-time
- Start Date: 25 January 2027
- Eligibility: UK, EU and international applicants
- Reference Number: CRAN-0107
- Application Deadline: 14 October 2026
Research Area
The research covers renewable energy, hydrogen and ammonia energy, chemical engineering, catalysis, materials science, electrochemical reaction engineering and solid oxide fuel cell technology.
The successful candidate will investigate new electrocatalysts for directly converting ammonia in solid oxide fuel cells and evaluate their performance in relation to energy efficiency and nitrogen oxide formation.
Location
The studentship is based at Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom.
Eligibility and Qualifications
- Applicants should hold a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree, or an equivalent international qualification.
- The opportunity is particularly suitable for graduates in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Catalysis, Materials Science, Energy Engineering or a related discipline.
- Candidates with relevant industrial experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Applications are accepted from UK, EU and international candidates.
- Only a limited number of studentships may be awarded to applicants from outside the UK.
- International applicants must be able to cover the difference between home and international tuition fees because the funding does not cover the full international tuition fee.
- Funding is competitive and will be awarded only to exceptional candidates.
Scholarship Description
Hydrogen is expected to play an important role in achieving the UK Government’s Net-Zero target by 2050. However, its low volumetric energy density creates technical, economic and infrastructure challenges. Ammonia offers a promising alternative because it is a zero-carbon fuel and effective hydrogen carrier that can be stored at room temperature and relatively low pressure.
This PhD project aims to create a novel direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cell capable of converting ammonia efficiently into carbon-free energy. Using a new catalyst design strategy, the research will seek to improve energy efficiency while achieving near-zero nitrogen oxide emissions.
The student will receive training in catalyst preparation and characterisation, electrochemical reaction engineering and solid oxide fuel cell technologies. Additional development opportunities will include UKRI-funded doctoral training, entrepreneurship, project management and technical training. The successful candidate will also join Cranfield’s Hydrogen Integration Incubator, a £69 million hub supporting hydrogen technology development and commercialisation, with opportunities to interact with industry partners.
Supervisors
- First Supervisor: Dr Mingming Zhu
- Second Supervisor: Dr Stefano Mori
Funding
The studentship provides a tax-free stipend of £24,500 per year, tuition fee support and research costs for three years. International applicants should note that they may need to fund the difference between the home and international tuition fee rates.
How to Apply
Eligible applicants should complete Cranfield University’s online application form and quote reference number CRAN-0107. Candidates should review the official opportunity page and prepare all documents required for a Cranfield research degree application before submitting.
For further information about the project, contact Dr Mingming Zhu at mingming.zhu.152@cranfield.ac.uk.
Last Date to Apply
The application deadline is 14 October 2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Apply Link
Apply online for the Cranfield University PhD studentship
View the official scholarship announcement
