About the Project
Summary: Heterogeneous catalysis is vital for producing the low carbon fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), that will support our transition to a sustainable net zero society. The large-scale synthesis of SAF from renewable feedstocks is achievable via a catalysed Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process; however, the heterogeneous catalyst is degraded and deactivated by the water produced during the reaction.
This PhD studentship will use state-of-the-art computational modelling to advance our fundamental knowledge of how water deactivates the FT catalyst and how this can be mitigated. The project will use a combination of ab initio and machine learning-based simulations to research deactivation and degradation mechanisms for the leading Co/Mn/TiO2 catalyst that is used in industrial FT operations. The PhD studentship will be supervised by Dr Andrew Logsdail (Cardiff University), with expertise in computational catalysis, and co-supervised by Prof. Sarah Haigh (University of Manchester) and Dr James Paterson (bp), with expertise in atomic resolution in situimaging and industrial-scale catalyst application, respectively. The impact of this work has been recognised with the Royal Society of Chemistry’s “Creativity in Industry” Prize(2023) and is visible through recent discipline leading collaborative publications.
Research Environment: The student will be embedded in the Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI) and the School of Chemistry, which together provide access to modern working conditions and a vibrant, expert research community. The student will also join a multi-institution project supported by bp’s “International Centre for Advanced Materials” (bp-ICAM), with a project team that includes industrial leaders, senior academics, researchers, and students at the University of Manchester, bp, and Cardiff University. The student will participate in the project team’s quarterly meetings to develop plans, discuss progress, and determine outcomes, providing a structured programme for their research with full support from leading scientists.
Training: The student will develop technical skills, fundamental knowledge, and applied perspectives that will place them ideally for a future career in applied catalytic and computational chemistry. The student will have technical training in modelling techniques, including the application of machine learning, and simultaneously develop transferable skills in programming and high-performance computing. The student will also build knowledge of materials characterisation and catalyst application through the support of the broader project team. Responsible research and innovation (RRI) and equality, diversity and inclusivity (ED&I) will be embedded through continuous training and reflective design of research activities.
Academic Criteria
Candidates should hold or expect to gain a first class degree or a good 2.1 and/or an appropriate Master’s level qualification (or their equivalent).
We also welcome applications for both full and part-time study and from candidates with non-traditional academic backgrounds. Note that international students on a Student Route Visa can study on a full-time basis only.
Application deadline: 9 January 2026
For more information and to apply visit https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/phd-in-chemistry-investigation-of-water-associated-deactivation-mechanisms-for-industrial-fischer-tropsch-catalysts-competitive-epsrc-funded-post/?p190535
