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⚛️ PhD Position in Atomically Precise Synthesis of Pt-Decorated Catalysts for Efficient Fuel Cells | Université de Toulouse & UNSW Sydney
Institution: Université de Toulouse – LPCNO / UNSW Sydney
Research Network: BEST Network
Laboratories: LPCNO, Université de Toulouse & UNSW Sydney
👥 Supervisors: Lise-Marie Lacroix (Université de Toulouse) & Richard Tilley (UNSW Sydney)
📍 Location: Toulouse, France / International Collaboration with UNSW Sydney
💼 Position Available: PhD Student / PhD Researcher
🎓 Thesis Duration: 2027–2030
🔬 Research Areas: Nanocatalysis | Fuel Cells | Hydrogen Energy | Platinum Catalysts | Nanoparticle Synthesis | Electrocatalysis | Materials Science | Atomically Precise Synthesis
The BEST Network PhD project, involving the Université de Toulouse (LPCNO) and UNSW Sydney, is seeking a motivated PhD candidate for a research project focused on the atomically precise synthesis of Pt-decorated Ni/Co catalysts for efficient fuel cells.
The project aims to develop advanced catalyst materials by controlling the deposition and distribution of platinum atoms on nickel- and cobalt-based nanoparticle supports. The research will investigate how atomic-scale catalyst structure influences electrocatalytic activity, stability, and selectivity for fuel-cell-related reactions.
🔬 Research Background
Catalysts are used extensively in chemical processes and are particularly important for the development of fuel cells and hydrogen-energy technologies.
Platinum is one of the most effective catalysts for several fuel-cell reactions, but its high cost and limited availability create a need for approaches that maximize the utilization of individual platinum atoms.
This PhD project will investigate Pt-decorated Ni/Co nanoparticle catalysts, with an emphasis on:
- Atomically precise catalyst synthesis
- Platinum utilization
- Nanoparticle catalyst design
- Electrocatalysis
- Hydrogen-related energy technologies
- Fuel-cell reactions
- Catalyst structure–activity relationships
- Catalyst stability and selectivity
🧪 PhD Research Focus
The successful candidate will work on the atomically precise synthesis of Pt-decorated Ni/Co catalysts for applications in efficient fuel cells.
The research will focus on:
- Developing controlled synthesis methods for Ni/Co nanoparticle supports.
- Decorating nanoparticle surfaces with platinum atoms.
- Controlling the distribution and amount of Pt at the atomic scale.
- Characterizing the resulting nanocatalysts.
- Investigating catalyst structure and composition.
- Studying catalytic activity toward fuel-cell reactions.
- Evaluating catalyst stability and selectivity.
- Understanding relationships between catalyst structure and electrocatalytic performance.
⚛️ Atomically Precise Catalyst Synthesis
A central component of the project is the development of atomically controlled nanoparticle catalysts.
The research will investigate how precise placement of Pt atoms on Ni/Co nanoparticles can improve catalyst performance while reducing the amount of platinum required.
The project will involve:
- Nanoparticle synthesis.
- Controlled Pt deposition.
- Surface modification.
- Atomic-scale catalyst engineering.
- Structural characterization.
- Investigation of Pt–Ni and Pt–Co interactions.
- Correlation of atomic structure with catalytic performance.
🔬 Electrocatalysis & Fuel-Cell Research
The developed catalysts will be investigated for important electrochemical reactions relevant to fuel-cell technologies.
The research will include studies related to:
- Hydrogen evolution
- Methanol oxidation
- Ethanol oxidation
- Fuel-cell electrocatalysis
- Catalyst activity
- Catalyst stability
- Catalyst selectivity
The candidate will investigate how the composition, structure, and atomic arrangement of the catalyst influence its electrocatalytic behavior.
🧬 Advanced Nanomaterials Research
The project combines nanoparticle synthesis, materials characterization, and catalysis.
Research activities may include:
- Synthesis of Ni/Co nanoparticle supports.
- Formation of Pt-decorated nanostructures.
- Investigation of nanoparticle morphology.
- Atomic-scale structural analysis.
- Chemical and physical characterization.
- Evaluation of catalytic properties.
- Optimization of catalyst composition and structure.
The research will contribute to the development of advanced nanomaterials for more efficient fuel-cell technologies.
🌍 International Research Collaboration
The PhD project is being conducted through collaboration between:
- Université de Toulouse – LPCNO, France
- UNSW Sydney, Australia
The project brings together expertise in nanoparticle synthesis, materials characterization, catalysis, and advanced electron microscopy.
This international research environment provides opportunities to work across complementary research facilities and expertise in France and Australia.
🎯 Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate should have a degree in one of the following fields:
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Related disciplines
Candidates should demonstrate:
- Strong scientific curiosity.
- Interest in nanomaterials and catalysis.
- Interest in energy-related research.
- Good scientific communication skills.
- Strong motivation for experimental research.
- Ability to work in an interdisciplinary research environment.
📚 Preferred Academic Background
Candidates with academic or research experience in areas such as the following may be particularly relevant:
- Nanoparticle synthesis
- Nanomaterials
- Materials chemistry
- Electrocatalysis
- Surface chemistry
- Fuel-cell technologies
- Energy materials
- Electron microscopy
- Catalytic materials
- Inorganic chemistry
The project is particularly suited to candidates interested in combining materials synthesis with advanced characterization and catalytic testing.
🌟 What You’ll Gain
The selected PhD researcher will have the opportunity to:
- Develop expertise in advanced nanocatalyst synthesis.
- Work with atomically precise materials.
- Study Pt-based electrocatalysts.
- Gain experience in fuel-cell and energy-related research.
- Investigate hydrogen evolution and alcohol oxidation reactions.
- Develop skills in nanomaterials characterization.
- Explore catalyst structure–activity relationships.
- Work within an international France–Australia research collaboration.
- Contribute to research focused on efficient and sustainable energy technologies.
- Develop expertise at the interface of chemistry, physics, nanotechnology, and materials science.
💼 Anticipated Research Responsibilities
The selected PhD student will be expected to:
- Synthesize Ni/Co nanoparticle catalyst materials.
- Develop methods for atomically precise Pt decoration.
- Characterize synthesized nanomaterials.
- Investigate catalyst structure and composition.
- Evaluate electrocatalytic activity.
- Study hydrogen evolution reactions.
- Investigate methanol and ethanol oxidation.
- Analyze catalyst stability and performance.
- Establish relationships between atomic structure and catalytic behavior.
- Analyze and interpret experimental data.
- Contribute to scientific publications and research dissemination.
- Participate in collaborative research activities.
📄 How to Apply
Interested candidates should contact the PhD supervisors regarding the position and application process.
📧 Application Contact
Supervisor: Lise-Marie Lacroix
Email: lmlacroi@insa-toulouse.fr
Co-Supervisor: Richard Tilley – UNSW Sydney
Applicants should indicate their interest in the PhD thesis 2027–2030: “Atomically precise synthesis of catalysts for efficient fuel cells.”
📅 Application Timeline
Thesis Period: 2027–2030
Expected Start: 2027
Application Deadline: No specific deadline stated in the announcement
Application Mode: Contact the supervisor by email
Application Email: lmlacroi@insa-toulouse.fr
📌 Position Details
Research Network: BEST Network
Institution: Université de Toulouse
Research Laboratory: LPCNO
Collaborating Institution: UNSW Sydney
Position: PhD Student / PhD Researcher
Supervisors: Lise-Marie Lacroix & Richard Tilley
Location: Toulouse, France / International Collaboration with UNSW Sydney
Thesis Period: 2027–2030
Research Title: Atomically Precise Synthesis of Catalysts for Efficient Fuel Cells
Research Areas: Nanocatalysis | Electrocatalysis | Fuel Cells | Nanomaterials | Materials Science | Hydrogen Energy
Key Topics: Pt-Decorated Ni/Co Catalysts | Atomically Precise Synthesis | Hydrogen Evolution | Methanol Oxidation | Ethanol Oxidation
Required Degree: Chemistry | Physics | Nanotechnology | Materials Science or related field
Application Deadline: No deadline stated
Application Mode: Email
Application Email: lmlacroi@insa-toulouse.fr
Category
PhD Position | PhD Jobs | Nanotechnology | Nanomaterials | Electrocatalysis | Fuel Cells | Hydrogen Energy | Materials Science | Toulouse Jobs | Research Jobs | International PhD
🏷️ Tags
#PhDPosition #PhDJobs #UniversiteDeToulouse #LPCNO #UNSW #Nanotechnology #Nanomaterials #Electrocatalysis #FuelCells #HydrogenEnergy #Catalysis
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