Externally Funded PhD Programme by RISE, TCG CREST, Kolkata, India

March 22, 2021

Designation/Position- Externally Funded PhD Programme

Research Institute for Sustainable Energy, India invites application for Externally Funded PhD Programme for eligible and interested candidates

About- Research Institute for Sustainable Energy (RISE) TCG-CREST, Salt Lake, Kolkata, invites applications from students interested in Energy Science for fully supported Externally Funded PhD Programme under IISER Pune’s Externally Funded Ph.D. Program (Degree to be awarded by IISER, Pune)

The Research Institute for Sustainable Energy (RISE) is established under TCG-CREST to perform high-end research and student training in the field of clean and renewable energy with a potential for significant positive societal impact. The aim is to motivate, teach, and educate young minds to set and achieve higher goals in the field of energy science and technology and its implications for the emergent world. The institute is recognized by DSIR (Govt. of India). The primary initial research focus areas of RISE are: a) the next generation energy storage technology which includes safe, cost effective, high energy/power density, long cycle life and recyclable Na/Li/Zn ion batteries, and b) Water splitting, hydrogen energy, CO₂ reduction, Fuel cells. The RISE Laboratory of Energy Materials and Devices occupies an area of 10,000 square feet. This space is compartmentalized into a materials synthesis lab and device characterization lab, all conforming to the highest safety standards. During the Ph.D., the candidate will gain significant insights into the emergent trends of “Energy Science” and also a hand-on experience on handling various advanced characterization tools, for example Cryo-dual ion microscope, TOF-SIMS, high-end Scanning probe microscopy, high resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray Diffractometer, Thermal analyzer, Raman Spectrometer, solid state pouch cell fabrication assembly and many more such advanced facilities being installed at RISE shortly along with the advanced techniques available at IISER, Pune.

Study level- Master’s Degree in Science/ B.Tech/ M.Tech/ BS-MS degree

Location- Research Institute for Sustainable Energy, India

Eligibility/Qualification–

The educational qualifications remain the same as for the regular candidates at IISER Pune (Master’s Degree in Science/ B.Tech/ M.Tech/ BS-MS degree with minimum 60% aggregate marks [marks relaxation for reserved category students]). Only persons engaged in R & D work in Technical / Scientific Institutions/ Industries or R & D Establishments are eligible under this “Externally funded Ph.D. program.

The PhD students will work on one of the following areas; the precise topic will be decided based on student’s background and interest and through discussions with the Guide and Co-Guide.

Synthesis, Characterization and science of Li and Na superionic conductors; Fabrication and characterization of solid-state batteries.
Synthesis, structure-property relationship and electrochemical characterizations of Na and Li layered oxide cathodes.
Design of advanced electrolytes and current collector for effective Li (Na) metal plating/stripping.
Electrocatalytic and photocatalytic CO₂ reduction and water splitting; fuel cells

Job/Position Description-

Research Institute for Sustainable energy (RISE) under “The Chatterjee Group’s (TCG) Centers for Research and Education in Science and Technology (TCG-CREST)” (https://www.tcgcrest.org/institutes/rise/), Salt Lake, Kolkata, is offering 5 (five) Ph.D. fellowships in the field of Energy Science under the “Externally funded PhD program” initiated by IISER Pune (https://www.iiserpune.ac.in/admissions/externally-funded-phd-programme). The selected students will have a Research Guide from IISER Pune and Co-Guide from RISE (TCG-CREST), and they will receive full fellowship for 5 years with contingency as per the DST rules for JRF/SRF. The Ph.D. degree under this program will be awarded by IISER Pune. The course work will be done at IISER Pune in the first year and the subsequent research work will be done at RISE, Kolkata. Three months of each year the student will also visit IISER and work in his/her Guide’s laboratory at IISER Pune. Along with the fellowship, the fees and expenses towards IISER Pune stay and travel related to this program will be provided by TCG-CREST. The program will start from around June-July, 2021 timeframe following the admissions procedure and schedule to be laid out by IISER-Pune. The selection process will be done concurrently with IISER Pune PhD admission selection process. RISE (TCG-CREST) proposes to undertake pre-screening of applications to be forwarded to the IISER selection committee and is therefore inviting applications from interested students for this purpose with immediate effect.