PhD Studentship: Polyoxoniobates for Catalysis in Green Chemical Processes

Award summary

100% fees covered, and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate). The studentship includes attendance at international conferences and annual placements at Mitsubishi Chemical UK, Wilton. 

Overview

This project will develop polyoxometalate (POM) based catalysts to investigate step-changes to the globally-leading Alpha process for methyl methacrylate (MMA) production developed by Mitsubishi Chemical UK at Wilton on Teesside. In addition to resilience against geopolitical factors affecting cost / availability of current catalyst components, POM-based catalysts could provide clean alternative routes to other platform chemicals and intermediates. In addition to synthesis and catalysis studies, the project will involve DFT modelling of reaction mechanisms. 

Number of awards 

1 

Start date  

16th September 2024 

Award duration 

3.5 Years 

Application closing date 

8th May 2024 

Sponsor 

This studentship is funded by EPSRC DTP and Mitsubishi Chemical UK. 

Name of supervisor/s 

Dr John Errington, Dr Simon Doherty (Newcastle University) 

Dr John Runnacles, Dr Adam Cullen (Mitsubishi Chemical UK) 

Eligibility Criteria

You should have, or expect to gain, a 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project or have evidence of additional postgraduate study. Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements.  

Home and international applicants (inc. EU) are welcome to apply and if successful will receive a full studentship. Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.  

International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme.  

How to apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal  

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.   

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:   

• search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8100F
• Research Area: Chemistry
• select PhD Chemistry (full time) as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:   

• a ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) – upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form
• the relevant studentship code SNES289 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field
• when prompted for how you are providing your research proposal – select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal.

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.  

Contact Details

Dr John Errington – john.errington@newcastle.ac.uk