#PhD_Position
Materials for Energy Storage and Water Treatment
The Barz Lab at Queen’s University invites applications for a fully funded PhD position in the area of advanced materials development for energy and environmental applications. Start date Fall 2026 or WInter 2027.
Research Topic
The successful candidate will work on the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel materials for supercapacitors and capacitive deionization (CDI). The project focuses on developing high-performance electrodes with improved energy storage capacity, stability, and ion selectivity for next-generation electrochemical systems.
This research lies at the intersection of:
Materials science
Electrochemistry
Chemical engineering
Sustainable water treatment technologies
Responsibilities
Develop and synthesize functional materials (e.g., porous carbons, composites, nanostructured materials)
Conduct electrochemical testing for supercapacitors and CDI systems
Analyze structure–property relationships using modern characterization techniques
Contribute to publications in high-impact journals
Collaborate within a multidisciplinary research team
Required Qualifications
Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
Strong background in materials synthesis and/or electrochemistry as evident by relevant quality journal publications
Experience with characterization techniques (e.g., BET, SEM/TEM, XRD) is an asset
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
Strong motivation for independent research and teamwork
Preferred Qualifications (Assets)
Prior experience with energy storage systems or water treatment technologies
Familiarity with electrochemical methods (CV, EIS, galvanostatic cycling)
Background in carbon materials or 2D materials
What We Offer
A collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment
Access to state-of-the-art facilities
Opportunities for conference presentations and professional development
Application Process
Interested applicants should submit the following:
CV
Transcripts
Journal Publications
Contact information for 2–3 references
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted:
Contact:
Dominik Barz, Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University, [email protected]
