About the Project
The successful PhD student will be co-supervised and work alongside our external partner Artec Fire.
This studentship is open to students worldwide *please see funding notes below. Note this PhD studentship may come with the offer of a part-time job at Artec Fire.
Renewable Energy is one of the fastest growing sectors addressing the most important challenges of our age. Offshore renewables, energy distribution, and the environmental impacts of constructing and decommissioning the infrastructure are some one of the most pressing research themes faced by the UK and beyond. The Net Zero Maritime Energy Solutions Centre (N0MES) for Doctoral Training is creating the future specialist workforce needed by our industrial partners through PhD projects finding solutions to real-life industrial needs. N0MES offers 4-year PhD studentships for exceptional researchers. With the support of the University of Liverpool (UoL), Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and over 30 maritime energy sector partners, N0MES postgraduate researchers will pursue new, engineering-centred, interdisciplinary research
N0MES CDT Themes B & C: Energy Distribution & Environmental Impact
Fire can significantly impact net-zero energy generation and distribution in maritime and building environment, posing significant challenges to safety and environmental impact. An example is the fire risk imposed by Lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used, prone to thermal runaway, and difficult to quantify water pollution to environment due to burnt chemicals during firefighting. This PhD project will focus on three main aspects:
1) Quantification of the fire size, i.e., heat release rate (HRR) from the Lithium-Ion battery fires, to further understand the HRR of an individual electric vehicle and several electric vehicles during fire spread in a compartmentalised environment
2) EV fires induced structural collapse
3) Quantification of water pollution during active firefighting of Lithium-Ion battery, relevant drainage measures for those wastewaters, and potential pollution.
Application Information
We want all our staff and students to feel that Liverpool is an inclusive and welcoming environment that actively celebrates and encourages diversity. We are committed to working with students to make all reasonable project adaptations including supporting those with caring responsibilities, disabilities or other personal circumstances. For example, if you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students Allowance on top of your studentship to help cover the costs of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result. We believe everyone deserves an excellent education and encourage students from all backgrounds and personal circumstances to apply.
Applicant Eligibility
Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a master’s degree or equivalent from a reputable university in a relevant subject OR a First in a relevant bachelor’s degree.
Important Application Process
Candidates wishing to apply should complete the N0MES CDT expression of interest form [HERE] and then email the following to n0mescdt@liverpool.ac.uk. Once your information is assessed you will be invited to apply formally. Please include the following in your email: –
· degree certificates and transcripts
· an up-to-date CV
· two academic references together with their contact information
· a supporting statement [one page of A4] detailing what inspired you to apply for this project, how your skill set matches this specific project, up to 3 examples showing your commitment to science, an example of science that excites you and any further information that you think will support your application
Please use the following as the email subject title: PhD Studentship at the N0MES CDT Ref 72. Good luck!
Name and email address to direct enquiries to:
Candidates wishing to discuss the research project should contact the primary supervisor [see supervisor section at top of page].
Those wishing to discuss the application process should contact CDT Manager, Matt Fulton, at the University of Liverpool [n0mescdt@liverpool.ac.uk].
Funding Notes
Studentships pay a maintenance grant for 4 years, starting at the UKRI minimum of ÂŁ20,780 per annum for 2025-2026 and cover full home UK tuition fees (plus EU , EAA settled *see note below). The studentship also comes with access to additional funding in the form of a research training support grant which is available to fund conference attendance, fieldwork, internships etc.
*International, EU student eligibility and student fees for EU and EEA students who do not meet the EPRSC eligibility requirements are classified as international students. Eligibility is based on residency not nationality. EU and EAA students with settled status will be classified as Home students.
Unless stated otherwise international students will be required to fund the difference between international and home student tuition fees. For 2025 fees for international students are currently in the region of ÂŁ31,250 per year at the University of Liverpool.
