{"id":12239,"date":"2026-07-11T15:49:27","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T13:49:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nanohelp.eu\/careers\/job\/phd-ai-enhanced-3d-atomic-scale-imaging-of-nano-catalytic-materials-for-clean-energy-conversion\/"},"modified":"2026-07-11T15:49:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T13:49:28","slug":"phd-ai-enhanced-3d-atomic-scale-imaging-of-nano-catalytic-materials-for-clean-energy-conversion","status":"publish","type":"job_listing","link":"https:\/\/nanohelp.eu\/careers\/job\/phd-ai-enhanced-3d-atomic-scale-imaging-of-nano-catalytic-materials-for-clean-energy-conversion\/","title":{"rendered":"PhD \u2013 AI-Enhanced 3D Atomic-Scale Imaging of Nano-catalytic Materials for Clean Energy Conversion"},"content":{"rendered":"

Organization:<\/strong> Aston University (Net2Zero Centre for Doctoral Training)<\/p>\n

Host Institution:<\/strong> University of Warwick<\/p>\n

Location:<\/strong> Coventry, United Kingdom<\/p>\n

Programme:<\/strong> PhD (4 Years)<\/p>\n

Funding:<\/strong> Fully Funded UKRI Studentship<\/p>\n

Project Overview<\/h3>\n

This PhD project aims to develop AI-enhanced multi-slice 4D Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (4D STEM) methodologies for three-dimensional atomic-scale imaging of nano-catalytic materials used in clean energy conversion. The research will focus on revealing surface and subsurface structural dynamics of electrocatalysts during operation to improve catalyst performance and durability.<\/p>\n

The project combines advanced electron microscopy with artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to reconstruct, analyse, and interpret large 4D STEM datasets under low-dose imaging conditions. Deep learning models will enhance image reconstruction, while machine learning algorithms will identify structural defects and correlate them with catalytic activity.<\/p>\n

Research Areas<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • 4D Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (4D STEM)<\/li>\n
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning<\/li>\n
  • Atomic-scale Materials Characterisation<\/li>\n
  • Electrocatalysis and Clean Energy Materials<\/li>\n
  • Nanomaterials for Net-Zero Technologies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Supervisors<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Dr Peng Wang<\/li>\n
    • Prof. Sai Gu<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Essential Qualifications<\/h3>\n
        \n
      • First-class or strong upper second-class degree (or equivalent) in Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry, or related field.<\/li>\n
      • Knowledge of solid-state physics, nanomaterials, or catalytic materials.<\/li>\n
      • Hands-on laboratory or computational experience in microscopy or image\/data analysis.<\/li>\n
      • Strong analytical, computational, and problem-solving skills.<\/li>\n
      • Excellent written and verbal scientific communication skills.<\/li>\n
      • Strong interest in advanced microscopy, sustainable energy materials, and emerging imaging technologies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Desirable Qualifications<\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Experience with electron microscopy.<\/li>\n
        • Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, or machine learning frameworks.<\/li>\n
        • Background in catalysis or beam-sensitive functional materials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Funding<\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Fully funded 4-year PhD studentship.<\/li>\n
          • Tax-free UKRI stipend of \u00a321,805 per year (2026\/27 rate).<\/li>\n
          • Full tuition fees.<\/li>\n
          • Research Training Support Grant.<\/li>\n
          • Three-month placement with industry, research collaborators, or policymakers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Eligibility<\/h3>\n

            This opportunity is available only to applicants who qualify for UK Home fee status. Applications from international candidates are not eligible.<\/p>\n

            Application Process<\/h3>\n

            Applicants should submit an Expression of Interest including academic transcripts, certificates, research background, motivation statement, and supporting documents. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview before submitting a formal university application.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":12238,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","job_listing_type":[49,507,508],"job_listing_category":[579,786,785,768,351,640],"job_listing_location":[787],"job_listing_tag":[],"class_list":["post-12239","job_listing","type-job_listing","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","job_listing_type-full-time","job_listing_type-phd","job_listing_type-scholarship","job_listing_category-artificial-intelligence","job_listing_category-clean-energy","job_listing_category-electron-microscopy","job_listing_category-machine-learning","job_listing_category-materials-science","job_listing_category-nanomaterials","job_listing_location-coventry-united-kingdom","is-featured"],"metas":{"_job_featured_image":"","_job_category":{"579":"Artificial Intelligence","786":"Clean Energy","785":"Electron Microscopy","768":"Machine Learning","351":"Materials Science","640":"Nanomaterials"},"_job_type":{"49":"Full Time","507":"PhD","508":"Scholarship"},"_job_tag":[],"_job_apply_type":"external","_job_apply_url":"https:\/\/www.aston.ac.uk\/study\/courses\/ai-enhanced-3d-atomic-scale-imaging-nano-catalytic-materials-clean-energy-conversion-phd","_job_apply_email":"","_job_salary_type":"yearly","_job_experience":"","_job_qualification":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nanohelp.eu\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing\/12239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nanohelp.eu\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nanohelp.eu\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/job_listing"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nanohelp.eu\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nanohelp.eu\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12239"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/nanohelp.eu\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing\/12239\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12240,"href":"https:\/\/nanohelp.eu\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing\/12239\/revisions\/12240"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nanohelp.eu\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nanohelp.eu\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12239"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"job_listing_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nanohelp.eu\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing_type?post=12239"},{"taxonomy":"job_listing_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nanohelp.eu\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing_category?post=12239"},{"taxonomy":"job_listing_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nanohelp.eu\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing_location?post=12239"},{"taxonomy":"job_listing_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nanohelp.eu\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing_tag?post=12239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}