Catalytic dehydrogenation process of liquid organic hydrogen carriers

It is a fantastic opportunity for a PhD student to enrol an ARC-Hub-funded project to develop new catalytic process for the dehydrogenation of Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC), a promising method to make use of the existing infrastructure for fuels (tank farms, tank vehicles) in storing and transporting of hydrogen in a flexible, safe and economical way for the increasing future hydrogen economy. LOHC process includes catalytic hydrogenation and dehydrogenation steps during which the carriers could be recovered and recycled. This project involves in-depth knowledge and expertise in catalysis, material engineering, chemical engineering, and physical chemistry, which will be used to develop novel catalysts and reaction systems to enable hydrogen production from LOHC at mild conditions.

The PhD student will be participating in a dynamic and collaborative multidisciplinary team, and efficient supervision is available from not only the advisory team but also from the industrial point of view.

This project is performed within the School of Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland, in close collaboration with HBIS-UQ Innovation Centre for Sustainable Steel (ICSS, funded by HBIS Group Co, Ltd, a leading Chinese iron and steel manufacturing conglomerate). The School of Chemical Engineering has once again been recognised No. 1 in Australia in the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject, even moving up on the global stage—from 41st in 2024 to 39th this year. UQ and the School provide a multidisciplinary research environment equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for catalyst preparation, materials characterisation, and process evaluation. This project will also be conducted in a diverse research environment, working closely with collaborating groups at other universities. The PhD candidate will benefit from fundamental research, strong industrial relevance, and possibilities for technology translation through this academia-industry cooperation.

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history

A background or knowledge of material science, chemical engineering, and chemistry is highly desirable.

You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by 30 May, 2026 30 May, 2026.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. If you have any questions about whether the project is suitable for your research interests, contact Dr Muxina Konarova (m.konarova@uq.edu.au).

When you apply

To apply, submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the program. You don't need to apply separately for the project or scholarship. How to submit an EOI

In your EOI, complete the ‘Scholarship/Sponsorship’ section with the following details:

1. Are you applying for an advertised project: 'Yes'
2. Project: 'Research project scholarship'
3. Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: HYDROGEN-KONAROVA
4. Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/catalytic-dehydrogenation-process-liquid-organic-hydrogen-carriers

Submit an EOI