Solar-powered methanol conversion for on-demand hydrogen production

This project aims to achieve efficient photocatalytic methanol to hydrogen conversion without carbon emission. The program will design new photocatalysts through rational surface engineering and co-catalyst selection. This project involves in-depth knowledge and expertise in material engineering, chemical engineering, physical chemistry, catalysis, and photochemistry, which will be used to develop photocatalysts and reaction systems to drive methanol-storable hydrogen and valuable chemical production.

You will experience an open, friendly and energetic research environment, together with the world-class research facilities. You will join my team, which is closely tied with Prof Lianzhou Wang's group.  We have diverse researchers from Australia, Japan, US, China, Iran and so on, and all the group members can friendly collaborate with others. In this team, efficient supervision is accessible from not only the advisory team, but also from the peers since most of them are in the top of their own research fields. In regards to the mentors, I have held a competitive ARC DECRA Fellowship and Prof Lianzhou Wang is an ARC Laureate Fellow. We also have various research facilities within a research lab space around 600 m² , and sufficient research funds from ARC, industry and the Queensland government.

This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

• living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax free (2025 rate), indexed annually
• your tuition fees covered
• single overseas student health cover (OSHC).

Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme 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 working knowledge of chemistry, materials, and semiconductor physics would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of materials engineering and catalysis and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of catalysis is highly desirable.

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 4, 2025. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 30 June, 2025 30 March, 2024.

You can start in an earlier research quarter. See application dates.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. Contact Dr Mu Xiao (m.xiao@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a PhD. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

• My higher degree is not collaborative
• I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship
• UQ Earmarked Scholarship type.

Apply now