Due to funding regulations, this studentship is only available to citizens of the United Kingdom and European Union; we regret that we are unable to accept applications for non-UK/non-EU citizens for this project.  To determine if you are eligible, please visit:http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/studentregistry/fees/funding/councils/eligibility.html In addition, students would need to be eligible for 'Home Fees' according to the criteria at:http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/studentregistry/fees/costs/status.html

The molecular-scale processes of adsorption, diffusion and reaction lie at the heart of the way a heterogeneous catalyst works inside a catalytic reactor. Until now the experimental techniques have not been available to allow us to measure these characteristics of a catalyst at the temperatures and pressures typical of real catalytic processes.

Our recent work has shown that magnetic resonance techniques can be used to spatially-resolve the adsorption, diffusion and reaction characteristics within a catalytic reactor. The aim of this project is therefore to use these techniques to understand catalyst behaviour inside a working reactor and hence provide insights to how both the catalyst and reactor operating conditions can be improved for more energy-efficient, more selective (i.e. greener) process operation.

A particular challenge of this project will be to develop and implement the magnetic resonance techniques that can follow gas-phase conversions inside the reactor, for which the signal-to-noise ratio provides an additional challenge to the magnetic resonance measurements. Another interesting opportunity is to use magnetic resonance to track carbon laydown on the catalyst and see how this changes catalyst performance.

This project will give you training in all these state-of-the-art magnetic resonance techniques. The project requires good experimental, data analysis and numerical skills, as well as an interest in catalysis. The successful candidate is expected to be at ease using Excel and MatLab software.

This is a 3.5-year PhD CASE project studentship sponsored by BP to start October 2015, and it is only open to applicants who meet the criteria at the links provided in the first paragraph. 

• Applicants should have a First Class/Upper Second degree in a relevant discipline (chemical engineering, physics or chemistry).  If your degree is from outside the UK, please visit:http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk//international-students/international-qualifications to determine if your final grade/mark equates to a UK First/Upper second.
• If nominated for the studentship, the applicant will be expected to formally apply for admission as a graduate student with the University's Graduate Admissions Office and, provided an offer of admission is given, satisfy any conditions that they set forth.  Additional information, including links to the University's entry requirements, can be found at: http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/ 

To apply for this position, please send the following to Mrs Amanda Taylor, Graduate Administrator/Research Secretary: recruitment<στο>ceb.cam.ac.uk by 17:00 on 31 March 2015.  Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Include the vacancy reference number, NQ05445, in the subject line of your email
• A detailed curriculum vitae
• Transcripts and/or degree certificates that include numerical details of grades obtained in relevant examinations/courses

If you are unable to send your application via email, please post it to Mrs Amanda Taylor, Graduate Administrator, The Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3RA to arrive before the above deadline.

Please quote reference NQ05445 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.