Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Start date: October 2025 preferred
Duration: 3 years
We are seeking a motivated PhD student to join an exciting project developing next-generation thermally sprayed water splitting electrodes to produce green hydrogen. This research will pioneer the use of thermal spray coating to fabricate high-entropy alloy (HEA)/oxide(HEO) electrodes with interconnected, 3D-pore architectures encompassing distributed pore sizes, optimising their microstructure, porosity, and catalytic performance. The project aims to advance scalable, robust technologies for sustainable energy conversion.
The successful candidate will:
• Fabricate porous HEA/HEO-based electrodes using various thermal spray technologies.
• Characterise materials using advanced techniques such as SEM, XRD, XPS, FIB-SEM and synchrotron-based methods.
• Evaluate electrocatalytic performance and explore correlations between material composition/properties and catalytic activity.
You will work in collaboration with experts in plasma spray processing, electrochemical analysis, and advanced materials characterisation. Co-supervision will include Prof Aaron Marshall (aaron.marshall@canterbury.ac.nz), with potential collaborations across leading research groups.
Candidate Requirements:
• A degree (Hons or Master's) in materials engineering/science (preferred), chemistry, or a related field.
• Experience in thermal spraying, metallographic sample preparation, materials fabrication, electrochemistry, or materials characterisation is desirable.
• A strong interest in sustainable energy technologies and catalysis.
• A minimum GPE equivalent to the University of Auckland GPE of 7, which can be calculated here https://www.gpecalculator.auckland.ac.nz/
• Has English language skills that comply with the University of Auckland requirements, which can be seen here https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/applications-and-admissions/entry-requirements/postgraduate-entry-requirements/postgraduate-english-language-requirements.html
Scholarship Details:
• Tax-free stipend of NZD $35,000 per year.
• Full tuition fees covered for up to three years.
• Opportunities to work with cutting-edge materials and techniques, and collaborate within the MacDiarmid Institute network.
Location:
University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/postgraduate-students.html
To apply or request further information, please contact A/Prof Steve Matthews (s.matthews@auckland.ac.nz) or Prof Aaron Marshall (aaron.marshall@canterbury.ac.nz)
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Steven Matthews
The University of Auckland
Auckland
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