Iron-Based Chemical Storage for Decentralised Hydrogen Production and Utilisation

Key facts

• Opens: Friday 30 January 2026
• Deadline: Monday 31 August 2026
• Number of places: One
• Duration: 3 years
• Funding: Home fee, Stipend

Eligibility

Students applying should have (or expect to achieve) a minimum 2.1 undergraduate degree in a relevant engineering/science discipline, and be highly motivated to undertake multidisciplinary research.

Project Details

Hydrogen is expected to play a central role in the UK and Scotland’s net-zero transition. While large-scale hydrogen production is progressing rapidly, many emerging hydrogen pathways operate at a small scale, intermittently, and in geographically distributed locations, particularly where biomass and waste feedstocks are available.

This PhD project will explore novel approaches to hydrogen storage for decentralised energy systems, with a focus on concepts that enable flexibility, robustness, and practical deployment at a small scale. The research will sit at the interface of energy systems, materials, and chemical engineering. The project will combine fundamental thermochemical analysis, laboratory-scale tests, and system-level assessment to evaluate the storage solution as an enabling technology for decentralised hydrogen production and use.

In addition to undertaking cutting edge research, students are also registered for the Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Development (PGCert), which is a supplementary qualification that develops your skills, networks and career prospects.

Further information

Further information about the Chemical Engineering department

Further information about the Chemical & Process Engineering PhD

Funding details

Funding covers home/UK fees and standard stipend. The planned start date is 1 October 2026.

While there is no funding in place for opportunities marked "unfunded", there are lots of different options to help you fund postgraduate research. Visit funding your postgraduate research for links to government grants, research councils funding and more, that could be available.

Dr Jun Li

Reader Chemical and Process Engineering

Dr Leo Lue

Reader Chemical and Process Engineering

Mr Graeme McLaughlin

Team Lead: Design Engineering Digital Factory

Apply

Please quote the project title in your application.

During the application you'll be asked for the following information and evidence uploaded to the application:

By filling these details out as fully as possible, you'll avoid any delay to your application being processed by the University.

• your full contact details
• transcripts and certificates of all degrees
• proof of English language proficiency if you are not from a majority English-speaking country as recognised by UKVI
• two references, one of which must be academic. Please see our guidance on referees
• funding or scholarship information
• international students must declare any previous UK study

Useful resources

Number of places: One

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• your application and offer
• fees and funding

Contact us

chemeng-pg-admissions@strath.ac.uk

Research areas