Sustainable Energy Materials Innovations PhD (3.5 years)
Sustainable Energy Materials Innovations (SEM) PhD Programme is a 3.5 year interdisciplinary PhD programme across Physical Science and Engineering at the University of Cambridge offering PhD training in energy materials required to deliver net zero by 2050.
The course will provide diverse training in the design and discovery, development, scale-up, life-cycle analysis, and systems integration of advanced energy materials and devices in areas strongly guided by the needs of the ‘net-zero’ industry. It will train the future leaders needed for a rapid transition to a zero-carbon society and make transformational, incremental, and disruptive materials discoveries facilitating the energy transition.
Course
The Sustainable Energy Materials Innovations PhD is an interdisciplinary PhD programme training students in physical science and engineering. Students work on interdisciplinary projects related to the materials needed to deliver net zero by 2050. PhD projects are co-supervised by at least two supervisors from different disciplines, and most will include collaboration with an industry partner.
Training is interspersed throughout programme and includes:
- Life cycle analysis project (run jointly with Advanced Materials for the Energy Transition MPhil)
- Cambridge Zero Postgraduate Academy
- Regular seminars and PI academic perspective talks
- Career development and innovation training
Research topics include: Batteries and supercapacitors, Carbon capture and storage, Enabling methodologies, Low-power information processing, Manufacturing and sustainability, Nuclear and Fusion, Photovoltaics, Power electronics, Sustainable green fuels/chemicals, Solid state heating and cooling, Supply chains/markets, Policy, Waste heat harvesting/thermoelectrics, Wind power
The current list of research projects for Michaelmas 2025 gives examples of projects that could be on offer through the course for October 2025 start. This list is neither exhaustive nor final, and further projects may be added to this list. Many projects will be part-funded by industry partners. We welcome applications from students interested in these specific projects, but also other areas of energy materials. Alignment of students with potential projects will be managed through the interview process to capture best fit for the project and student interest. We expect that a cohort of up to 10 students will be funded for the October 2025 intake.
Course Management:
Co-Directors: Prof. Siân Dutton (Physics), Prof. Sam Stranks (Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology)
Management Committee: Prof. Judith Driscoll (Materials Science and Metallurgy), Prof. Henning Sirringhaus (Physics), Dr Ewa Marek (Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology), Prof. Hugo Bronstein (Chemistry), Prof. Michael de Volder (Institute for Manufacturing / Engineering), Industry: Dr Su Varma (NSG Pilkington)
Apply
We welcome applicants from across the physical sciences including Physics, Chemistry, Materials, Chemical Engineering, and Engineering for our PhD programme.
Applicants will be shortlisted based on their written applications, taking into account qualifications, aspirations and experience. Final selection is done via an interview process which focuses on candidates’ independent thinking and approach in the physical sciences, in addition to their knowledge, aspirations, and experience. Offers will be made for students to work on a specific project with named supervisors and the PhD awarded will be from the host department.
You can apply for the programme on the postgraduate admissions website.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants should expect to have a high second or first class degree and at least 4 years of training (e.g. a 4 year degree or a 3 year degree plus 1 year of relevant work experience) in a relevant subject before they start the programme in Oct 2025, along with some research experience as part of their degree courses or otherwise.
International applicants should refer to this link to find out the equivalent grade in their country/institution before applying.