Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Researcher in Carbon Capture and Storage: MISSION-CCS, Mechanistic insight into long-term integrity of cement and the steel-cement interface in CO2 storage facilities

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Are you an excellent researcher in the field of Corrosion, Electrochemistry, Cement Chemistry/Carbonation and/or Material Science/Degradation? Are you interested in technological development and cutting-edge research in corrosion science and cement carbonation? Would you like to contribute to the safe, successful and sustainable deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies worldwide?

MISSION-CCS (Material Science Innovation for Accelerated, Sustainable and Safe Implementation of Carbon Capture and Storage) is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) program that will provide a bespoke training environment for 13 Doctoral Candidate Researchers (DCRs), focussed on understanding and mitigating material degradation phenomena across the entire CCS chain. The interdisciplinary network consists of 16 internationally leading organisations across 7 countries, who are at the scientific forefront of combining material science, engineering, physics, chemistry and techno-economics to develop the next generation of research and innovation leaders in the field of CCS. You will be funded for 3 years and will pursue a doctoral degree during this time.

This PhD project aims to mechanistically understand processes at the cement-steel interface in realistic conditions that might prevail during the planned lifetime of CCS downhole environments. With the help of electrochemical sensing technology performed in autoclaves for steel embedded in different cement types, coupled with advanced synchrotron and/or lab-based characterisation techniques such as, micro and nano-X-ray Computed Tomography, X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy, the corrosion of steel and its influence on the surrounding cement will be studied.  

You will have a first class or 2:1 undergraduate degree and/or a Masters degree, or equivalent, in Engineering, Material/Corrosion Science or a relevant Physical Science, with research experience or an interest in Corrosion/Electrochemistry, Material Science/Degradation and/or Cement Chemistry/Carbonation, and the flexibility to travel throughout the EU.

Important eligibility rules for this position:

There are no restrictions on the nationality, but:

• Applicants must, at the time of recruitment, have not yet been awarded a doctorate degree and be in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date that you obtained the degree which would entitle you to embark on a PhD.
• At the time of recruitment, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (i.e. work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment under the MISSION-CCS project. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Prof. Richard Barker , Professor in Corrosion Science and Engineering

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 2206 or email: [email protected]  

Location:  Leeds - Main Campus
Faculty/Service:  Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences
School/Institute:  School of Mechanical Engineering
Section:  Institute of Functional Surfaces
Category:  Research
Grade:  Off grading structure
Working Time:  37.5 hours per week
Post Type:  Full Time
Contract Type:  Fixed Term (3 years - to complete specific time limited work)
Release Date:  Monday 12 February 2024
Closing Date:  Sunday 17 March 2024
Interview Date:  To be confirmed
Reference:  EPSME1157
Downloads:  Candidate Brief