[School of Natural Sciences PhD Scholarships] In Situ and advanced TEM for Nanoscale Investigation of Passivity in Stainless Steels

About the project

About the Project Corrosion costs the global economy trillions of pounds each year and remains one of the greatest challenges facing modern engineering. Stainless steels owe their remarkable durability to an ultrathin passive oxide film that forms naturally on their surface, protecting them from degradation in aggressive environments. However, when this film breaks down, localised corrosion can develop rapidly, leading to costly failures in infrastructure, energy systems, transportation, and manufacturing industries. Despite decades of research, many fundamental questions about passive films remain unanswered. Are these films crystalline or amorphous? How do they form and evolve? What governs their stability and eventual breakdown? Answering these questions is essential for developing the next generation of corrosion-resistant materials that will support a more sustainable and reliable future. This exciting PhD project will tackle these challenges by directly observing passive film formation and degradation in stainless steels at the nanoscale and atomic scale. Using state-of-the-art in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM), advanced four-dimensional scanning TEM (4D-STEM), and electrochemical testing, you will investigate corrosion processes as they occur in real time under realistic environmental conditions. The research will explore: • The atomic structure of passive films and their formation mechanisms. • How passive films respond to electrochemical loading and elevated temperatures. • The relationships between passive film structure, environmental conditions, and corrosion resistance. • Fundamental mechanisms responsible for the stability and breakdown of corrosion-protective surfaces. By combining advanced microscopy with electrochemistry, the project will generate unprecedented insights into one of the most important unsolved problems in corrosion science. The findings will help establish new design principles for corrosion-resistant alloys and coatings, supporting longer-lasting infrastructure, reduced maintenance costs, lower resource consumption, and improved engineering safety. Why Join Us? You will join a world-leading research environment with access to Manchester’s internationally renowned materials characterisation facilities and expertise in corrosion science, electron microscopy, and physical metallurgy. This project combines fundamental science with cutting-edge experimentation to address important challenges in materials degradation and surface protection, with potential impact on the development of safer, more durable, and sustainable engineering materials. You will receive advanced training in electron microscopy, electrochemistry, in situ characterisation techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication, developing a unique and highly transferable skill set valued across academia, national laboratories, energy, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and other high-technology sectors. Throughout the PhD, you will work closely with internationally recognised researchers and gain experience in conducting independent research. The project will provide opportunities to present your work at major international conferences, publish in high-impact journals, and collaborate with leading academic and industrial partners, providing an excellent foundation for a successful career in either academia or industry. By the end of the PhD, you will have developed expertise in advanced materials characterisation, corrosion science, and in situ experimentation, positioning you at the forefront of modern materials research. If you are excited by the prospect of uncovering materials behaviour and contributing to the development of next-generation engineering materials, we encourage you to apply. This project is expected to start in September 2027. Before you apply: We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisors for this project before you apply. How to apply: To be considered for this project you must complete a formal application through our online application portal. If you already have an applicant account this link will directly open an application for PhD School of Natural Sciences Scholarships . If you don’t already have an applicant account, please follow the instructions here . When applying, please specify the full title and supervisor/s of the project, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. You must also upload a Supporting Statement describing your motivation to apply to the project, your CV and transcripts of awarded and in-progress university qualifications . Please note late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester and central to all our activities. A diverse research community strengthens creativity, productivity and quality, while increasing the societal and economic impact of our work. We welcome applicants from all career paths, backgrounds and sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation or transgender status. We welcome applications from candidates returning to study after a career break or experience in other roles. Flexible study arrangements may be available, including part-time study at 50%, 60% or 80%, subject to the requirements of the project and funder. Eligibility : The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree (or international equivalent) in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit (or international equivalent) in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD. This project will remain open until filled. If your application is submitted by 1 st November 2026, you can expect a decision by 18 th December 2026. If your application is submitted by 15 th January 2027, you can expect a decision by 30 th March 2027. Self or externally funded students can also be considered for this project. FSESoNS

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