Research Fellow (Natural Sciences and Science Education Department) [NIE]

The National Institute of Education invites suitable applications for the position of Research Fellow on a 6-month contract at the Department of Natural Sciences and Science Education.

Project Title: Mechanistic Investigation on Electric-Bias-Optimized Plasma Catalysis for H2O-CO2 Conversion

Project Introduction:

Plasma catalysis is emerging as a promising alternative for carbon-dioxide conversion, addressing limitations of established catalytic routes. Conventional thermal catalysis is currently the only industrially deployed method and provides high yields (>1000 L h⁻¹), but it demands high energy input, shows limited catalyst durability, and operates with modest conversion efficiencies (10–20%). Photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, though capable of high conversion (>90%), suffer from extremely low throughput (<10 L h⁻¹) and costly, complex catalytic systems, restricting scale-up. Plasma catalysis, which synergistically couples’ plasma-generated reactive species with catalyst surfaces, offers moderate efficiencies (20–50%) and substantially higher yields (>100 L h⁻¹), making it an attractive, cost-effective solution. Low-temperature plasma activates CO₂ and H₂O through electron-impact excitation, dissociation, and ionization, producing reactive species that form CO on catalyst surfaces. While CO₂–H₂ and CO₂–CH₄ plasma-catalytic pathways can achieve ~50% conversion, reliance on flammable hydrogen or methane limits sustainability. Using CO₂ and H₂O as feedstocks is safer, but plasma-catalyzed CO₂–H₂O conversion remains low (5–10%) because H⁺ ions generated from H₂O are rapidly neutralized by OH⁻ before reaching the catalyst. Enhancing H⁺ transport and suppressing such recombination is therefore essential. Our project proposes to overcome these limitations by modifying dielectric-barrier-discharge systems through tailored electrical biasing (pulsed DC or hybrid AC–DC) and controlled magnetic fields. Since C-based ions and H⁺ ions are primarily positive, applying a negative bias to the catalyst-coated electrode should attract and concentrate these species, improving their interaction probability. An added magnetic field will confine and guide plasma species, increasing density and catalytic activity. Ultimately, the project aims to elucidate reaction mechanisms and raise CO₂–H₂O plasma-catalytic conversion efficiency to 60–80%.

Requirements:

• PhD in Physics or Engineering with a strong background in low-temperature plasma processing
• Strong experience in development, operation and optimization of various plasma devices and associated diagnostics
• Strong experience in catalytic materials
• Proficiency in using COMSOL and other simulation tools
• Expertise in using various material characterization facilities SEM, EDX, XRD, RAMAN, TEM, XPS etc.
• Good written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability through published research papers and research reports
• At least 5-year of experience on plasma devices and material characterization tools

Preferred

• Good knowledge of lab safety issues
• Good organizational skills
• Able to work within given deadlines with an eye for details
• Able to work independently with minimum supervision
• Able to help in supervising FYP / Masters / Ph.D. candidates

Responsibilities:

• To design DBD and any other suitable plasma system using COMSOL first and then experimentally for plasma catalysis applications
• Perform relevant plasma diagnostics such optical emission spectroscopy to estimate plasma parameters
• Perform various catalytic material preparation and characterizations using SEM, EDX, XRD, RAMAN, TEM, XPS etc.
• Perform plasma-catalysed CO2 conversion experiments
• Write research reports and papers
• Any other administrative duties as assigned by Principal Investigators

Application

Applicants (external and internal) will apply via Workday. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Closing Date

Closing date for advertisements will be set to 14 calendar days from date of posting.

Hiring Institution: NIE