Overview

PhD studentship studying artificial photosynthesis: develop and study photo- and electrocatalysts that convert CO₂ in air into valuable fuels. You will integrate catalysts onto light-absorbing materials and probe their mechanisms, using advanced vibrational spectroscopies to identify intermediates and degradation pathways.

About this opportunity

The transition to a net-zero economy requires new routes to sustainably produce carbon-based fuels, chemical feedstocks, and materials. One attractive solution is artificial photosynthesis: the direct conversion of atmospheric carbon dioxide and water into useful fuels using sunlight, inspired by natural photosynthesis. The EPSRC-funded Air2Fuel Programme Grant brings together leading

researchers from the University of Oxford, the University of Liverpool, the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London to develop integrated devices capable of capturing CO₂ directly from air and converting it into fuels using solar energy. The successful PhD candidate will work closely with the wider Air2Fuel team to help realise this ambition. Based at the University of Liverpool, the student will focus on the development and study of electrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction through to products such as ethylene, working to integrate catalysts onto light-absorbing materials provided by our partners at the University of Oxford. The studentship will investigate both metallic and molecular catalyst systems, including copper-based materials, transition-metal molecular catalysts, and hybrid catalyst architectures. A major focus will be understanding how catalyst performance changes under low CO₂ concentrations, elevated temperatures, controlled humidity, and in the presence of oxygen. One avenue of potential research is to explore selective barrier layers and catalyst coatings that control the catalyst’s local environment while maintaining CO₂ reduction activity.

The student will join a multidisciplinary team working at the interface of catalysis, electrochemistry, spectroscopy and materials chemistry. Alongside the work to fabricate and characterise CO₂ reduction catalysts, they will have the opportunity to carry out in situ spectroscopic studies using surface-sensitive spectroscopies to identify reaction intermediates and degradation pathways. At Liverpool we have a range of advanced spectroscopic methods available including Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) and Surface Enhanced Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy (SEIRAS). More widely, the student will have opportunities to work with world-leading researchers across the Air2Fuel consortium, including collaborations with groups at Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London. The programme includes researcher exchanges and collaborative visits between partner institutions, allowing access to specialist facilities and expertise, and the student will be fully integrated into the Air2Fuel team.

The project requires a highly motivated student willing to work at the intersection of conventional disciplines (photochemistry, electrocatalysis, vibrational spectroscopy). The student will receive training across a broad range of disciplines, including electrocatalysis and photocatalysis, CO₂ reduction chemistry, spectroscopic characterisation, data analysis and experimental design, and scientific communication and research leadership.

Who is this for?

Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a Master’s Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (Chemistry, Materials Science, or similar). Exceptional candidates with a First Class Bachelor’s Degree in an appropriate field or significant relevant experience will also be considered.

Application deadline: 10 January 2027

For more information and to apply visit https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/courses/air2fuel-integrating-and-studying-co2-reduction