Chemical Engineering: Fully Funded SU & Taisan PhD Scholarship in ​​Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Next-Generation Sodium-Ion Batteries​ (RS867)

Funding Providers: Swansea University and Taisan 

Subject Areas: Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electronic, Mechanic, Polymer, 

Project Start Dates: 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September) ** (Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates)

Supervisors: 

• Dr Zari Tehrani (primary – Z.Tehrani@swansea.ac.uk)

• Dr Rui Tan (secondary – Rui.Tan@swansea.ac.uk)

• Mr Sanzhar Taizhan (industrial supervisor – Taisan)

Aligned Programme of Study: PhD in Chemical Engineering 

Mode of Study: Full-time 

Project Description:  

Sodium-ion batteries are rapidly emerging as a powerful alternative to lithium-ion systems—offering significant advantages in cost, sustainability, and safety. To unlock their full potential, advanced gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) are needed to boost energy density and reliability. 

This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to develop cutting-edge GPEs that combine the safety of solid-state materials with the high performance of liquid systems. Through innovative ultraviolet photopolymerisation, you will synthesise and optimise eco-friendly GPEs using varying polymer blends, solvents, and crosslinking agents. 

This initiative combines the expertise of a leading global battery R&D organisation and a specialist in polymer chemistry to develop GPEs with superior ionic conductivity and interfacial resistivity. The aim is to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation sodium-ion batteries. 

Project Overview 

This fully funded PhD offers an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of battery technology by developing next-generation Gel Polymer Electrolytes (GPEs) for sodium-ion batteries—a promising, sustainable alternative to lithium-ion systems. 

Your research will drive innovation in battery manufacturing by focusing on: 

• Advanced GPE Formulations – Investigate the gel’s structural properties and rheology to enhance precision in deposition and boost electrochemical performance. 

• Optimised UV-Curing Methods – Improve polymer cross-linking techniques using advanced ultraviolet curing to achieve robust and high-performing electrolytes. 

• Radiation-Assisted Processing – Explore low-energy, environmentally friendly curing strategies to enable scalable, low-carbon battery production. 

This project bridges fundamental materials science with real-world industrial applications, offering a unique blend of academic rigor and impact-focused research. 

Research Environment & Career Prospects 

The successful candidate will be based at CAPTURE (Circular Approaches To Utilise and Retain Energy), a Centre of Expertise at Swansea University, established in 2020 to lead innovative solutions for the global energy transition. 

At CAPTURE, you’ll benefit from: 

• State-of-the-art laboratories and world-class expertise in materials science, battery technologies, and sustainable manufacturing. 

• Direct collaboration with Taisan, a key industry partner, providing valuable exposure to industrial-scale challenges and hands-on application of your research. 

• A strong foundation in technical, analytical, and research skills, enhancing your career prospects in academia, R&D, and the growing clean energy sector. 

• Opportunities to present your work at international conferences, engage with industry stakeholders, and contribute to high-impact publications. 

Beyond battery innovation, this research has far-reaching implications for sustainable materials design, low-carbon manufacturing, and the broader field of energy storage systems. 

Open to UK and International students 

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. See - Country Specific Entry Requirements page. 

English Language 

IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here. 

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website.  

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with a scholarship course offer.  

International Fee Students

Swansea University is pleased to offer the Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES). This is a competitively awarded Scholarship open to overseas PhD and Professional Doctorate applicants eligible for the international rate of tuition fees who can demonstrate excellence in academic achievement.   

The SUIPRES Scholarship covers the difference between the International and the Home tuition fee for the duration of the PhD/Professional Doctorate programme. Successful candidates will be charged fees aligned to the UK rate per year. The scholarship will be offset against your tuition fee liability  

All International applications will be considered for a SUIPRES Scholarship. You will be informed whether a SUIPRES Scholarship will be offered within your offer letter. 

 This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and annual stipend at standard UKRI rates (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). 

Additional research expenses of up to £3000 per year will also be available. 

International Fee Students: Fully funded if the applicant is successful in being offered a SUIPRES Scholarship as outlined above. 

To apply, please complete the entire application form, following this link: Complete your application here in Learner Gateway

In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required. 

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS867 

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory) 

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:  
  • the RS Code, RS867 and 
  • the scholarship title.   
• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank 
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank 
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes 
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected. 

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award. 

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. 

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

• CV 

• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 

• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project. 

• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference. 

• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable). 

• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable) 

• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Dr Zari Tehrani (z.tehrani@swansea.ac.uk)

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable. 

** In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.