Chemical Engineering

Dr Norbert Radacsi is a Senior Lecturer (US equivalent: Associate Professor) at The University of Edinburgh. He obtained his Ph.D. at the Delft University of Technology. Prior to his current position he was postdoctoral researcher at Purdue University and California Institute of Technology. He has pioneered a new type of 3D electrospinning technology. His interdisciplinary research includes areas of advancing electrospinning technology and bioprinting, developing wearable sensors and energy harvesters, and producing novel materials.

• Ph.D. Chemical Engineering/Materials Science - Delft University of Technology (2012)
• M.Sc. Physics - University of Debrecen (2006)

Postdoctoral training

• California Institute of Technology (2014-2015)
• Purdue University (2013-2014)
• Delft University of Technology (2012-2013)

• 2021 – date             Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
• 2016 – date             Member, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)

• Nanomaterials in Chemical & Biomedical Engineering (course organiser)
• Process Safety and Environmental Issues in Chemical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering Laboratory 3
• Chemical Engineering Design: Project 4
• Chemical Engineering Study Project 4

My research interest lies in the application of nanotechnology to advance the engineering of new functional materials for medical applications.

• Electrospinning
• 3D/4D (bio)printing
• Tissue engineering
• Sensing

The Radacsi group is looking for talented people all year around! Send you CV to Dr Radacsi, if you are interested in joining the group.

https://www.radacsigroup.co.uk

Smart Electrolytes for Next-Generation Zinc-Ion Batteries

How do we build grid batteries that are cheap, safe and made from abundantmaterials?

Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are a promising answer – zinc is low-cost, non-toxic and worksin water-based electrolytes. But current ZIBs still suffer from limited lifetime andefficiency because the electrolyte, cathode and their interface are not optimisedtogether.

This PhD will tackle that challenge head-on. You will design “smart” aqueous or gelelectrolytes and matched cathode coatings that work as a single system to:• control how Zn2+ is solvated and transported,• suppress dendrites and cathode dissolution, and• build stable, self-healing interphases for long-life cycling.Working jointly between the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University, youwill combine:• Molecular simulations (to see how different salts and additives organise aroundZn2+),• Materials synthesis and coating design, and• Full electrochemical testing in coin cells. 

By the end of the project, you will have created and tested prototype zinc-ion cells withsignificantly improved performance, and developed design rules that can be appliedacross future grid-scale storage technologies. 

Training and environmentYou will be based in the School of Engineering at UoE, with access to:• Advanced electrochemical testing facilities• Battery fabrication labs• Materials characterisation (XRD, SEM/TEM, spectroscopy) 

You will also work closely with Prof Biggs’s group at HWU, gaining complementaryexpertise in interfacial engineering and simulation. The project includes opportunitiesto present at international conferences and to collaborate with industrial and academicpartners.

Selection process 

The application and selection process has two stages: 

1. Initial technical interview (by supervisors) 

• We will shortlist from the applications received and invite at least one candidate for an online interview before 30 January 2026.
• This interview will assess your academic background, technical skills and motivation for the project.
• Following this, we will nominate one candidate to ERPE for consideration. 

2. ERPE panel interview 

• Nominated candidates will be invited to a second, competitive interview with an ERPE panel in the weeks commencing 16 or 23 February 2026.

• Final outcomes will be communicated no later than 4 March 2026.

  Start date: September 2026 

  How to apply:Please do not submit a full PhD application at this stage.Instead, email the following as a single PDF to Dr Peisan (Sharel) E (sharel.e@ed.ac.uk):• A CV (max 2–3 pages), including degree classifications (or predicted grades), relevantprojects and publications (if any).• A 1-page cover letter explaining: -why you are interested in zinc-ion batteries and this specific project;- how your background meets the essential/desirable criteria;- whether you would in principle be willing to be considered for a switch of  principal- supervisor to HWU if offered an HWU-funded studentship.

  Please also provide contact details for two academic referees

Application deadline for initial consideration:

We encourage applications as soon as possible and no later than before 23 January 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to arrange interviews.

Essential Experience: 

• BSc and/or Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science, Machine Learning or Artificial Intelligence
• a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent)
• Excellent spoken and written English and good communication skills • Experience using modelling and simulation techniques
• Literature surveys, documentation and reporting

This studentship is funded through the ERPE Joint PhD Studentship scheme. 

• Duration: 42 months (3.5 years)
• Stipend: Enhanced above standard UKRI rate
• Research & Training Grant: £5,000 total (for research costs, travel, training)
• Tuition fees: Covered at the home-fee rate Important: 

This is a competitive funding opportunity. ERPE has selected more projects than there are studentships available, so a studentship is not guaranteed even if you are nominated by the supervisors. Because of the balance of UoE- and HWU-funded studentships in this call, it is possible that a successful candidate may be offered an HWU-funded studentship instead of a UoE-funded one, in which case the principal supervisor would transfer to Prof Biggs at HWU. Candidates will be asked whether they are willing to be considered for such a supervision switch as part of the selection process.

***Open to candidates with UK “home” fee status only. This normally includes UK nationals and applicants with settled or pre-settled status, or indefinite leave to remain, who have been ordinarily resident in the UK/EU/EEA for at least 3 years.***

Further information and other funding options.