No postdoctoral position available now, please check in due course.

We welcome visiting scholars from relevant research field, please send email to the PI.

We encourage recently graduated PhD to apply for the RGC Junior Research Fellow Scheme (https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/jrfs/ )

We welcome enthusiastic students joining us! There will be tremendouse research training opportunities to enrich your career development.

Please send email to the PI.

My group will recruit two PhD candidates (fully funded) on following projects.

About the project:

High-energy batteries are critical to meeting global net-zero targets. Breakthroughs in cathode technologies are urgently needed to achieve higher energy densities while remaining affordable and sustainable. Anionic-redox systems represent a new class of materials that can use the redox reactions of anions, such as O2-, S2- and Se2-, to boost the capacities beyond that offered by cationic redox, while reducing reliance on costly and ethically problematic metal elements. However, the degradation in their voltage and capacity significantly limits their commercialisation. Four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D STEM) is a state-of-the-art imaging technique, generally including two major methodologies: electron ptychography and scanning nanobeam electron diffraction. 4D STEM provides new exciting opportunities to understand the atomic-scale degradation mechanisms of the materials beyond that acquired from other conventional TEM techniques. The project aims to identify key degradation problems in high-energy anionic-redox cathode materials using a set of advanced characterisation tools and inform the design of new materials with long lifespan, contributing to the development of next-generation batteries that support a sustainable future and improve people’s lives.

Selection Criteria:

1. Meet the enrolment requirements set by the University of Hong Kong.
2. Degree qualification in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics or a related scientific or technical subject.
3. Proven track record in research experience and outputs relevant to your qualifications.
4. Able to work collaboratively as part of a team, including interactions with the supervisors, researchers and students and visitors and collaborators from elsewhere in the University and in industry.
5. Well-organised and self-motivated with the ability to identify and plan contingencies for potential issues that could disrupt research activity and to carry out appropriate research activities within a given time-scale.
6. Essential MATLAB and Python skills.
7. Experience with advanced transmission electron microscopy or synchrotron techniques (Desirable).

Why join us?

As part of my group, you will be supported by the PI and other group members throughout your PhD journey. We will tackle challenges together, you will not be alone, but an integral member of a motivated team. Exceptional students may also have opportunities for collaboration or recommendation to world-leading institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London.

At the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hong Kong, you will work alongside leading scientists on pioneering research. Learn more about our department here: https://mech.hku.hk/people .

How to apply?

If you are interested, please email your CV and a one-page cover letter explaining how you meet the selection criteria to: swxvip@hku.hk .
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview as soon as possible after submission. Successful candidates will be recommened to the Department for approval and invited for formal submission of the application.

Application details from HKU:
https://gradsch.hku.hk/prospecti … cation/how_to_apply

Scholarship information

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (https://gradsch.hku.hk/prospecti … _fellowship_scheme)
Hong Kong University Postgraduate Scholarships (https://gradsch.hku.hk/prospecti … duate_scholarships)
HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme (https://gradsch.hku.hk/prospecti … _scholar_programme)