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Postgraduate Study

The Sustainable Energy Materials Innovation PhD course will train diverse cohorts in science and engineering to drive the materials innovations needed to accelerate the global energy transition.

This PhD course will comprise training elements alongside the PhD research Project. This interdisciplinary programme aims to train researchers to have a broad understanding of different energy technologies and how they interrelate.

The objectives of the course are to:

i) impart students with diverse research skills to work effectively in cross-sector materials development.

ii) prepare them for careers in research, industry, government, policy, and financial organisations.

iii) overcome traditional compartmentalised training, giving researchers a broad understanding of different energy technologies and how they interrelate.

iv) create an academic-industrial alumni network for cross-fertilisation and collaboration to continue well after students graduate.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

The PhD in Sustainable Energy Materials Innovation course has training, research, and innovation elements. Graduates of the course will have developed knowledge and understanding in the following broad areas:

  1. The physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering aspects of different zero-carbon energy technologies.
  2. The societal, economic, and political context of deploying these technologies.
  3. Critical evaluation of energy materials sciences and technologies.

By the end of the PhD, successful students will have produced original research work making a significant contribution to knowledge in the area of sustainable energy materials innovation.

Skills and other attributes

At the end of the first year, the student will have developed skills to understand energy materials devices across different technologies including the ability to perform life-cycle and environmental assessments.


Open Days

The University hosts and attends fairs and events throughout the year, in the UK and across the world. We also offer online events to help you explore your options:

  • Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD study webinars - these Spring events provide practical information about applying for postgraduate study.
  • Postgraduate Virtual Open Days - taking place in October/November each year, the Open Days focus on subject and course information.

Departments

This course is advertised in the following departments:

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Key Information


3-4 years full-time

4-7 years part-time

Study Mode : Research

Doctor of Philosophy

Department of Physics This course is advertised in multiple departments. Please see the Overview tab for more details.

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Michaelmas 2025

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2024
Application deadline
May 15, 2025
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2025

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Course Funding Deadline
Jan. 7, 2025
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 16, 2024

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2025, Lent 2026 and Easter 2026.


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