First Cohort of PhD Researchers All Secure Employment in the Battery Sector
Science, Start-ups and Space
December 2023
The first cohort of 13 Faraday Institution PhD researchers have all successfully transitioned to academic, industry, start-up or analyst roles in the battery sector, where they are utilising their specialist energy storage research knowledge and skills.
Nationally, only 24% of STEM graduates are known to be working in a STEM occupation six months after graduation (National Audit Office 2018).
Watch the video of how cohort 1 describe their experience of being part of the Faraday Institution PhD Training Programme.
Faraday Institution PhD researchers have been highly successful in generating intellectual property. The UKRI Investment and Outputs Data Report 2022-23 cites 12 PhDs of 2,375 funded by Research Councils (not including Innovate UK) generated patents or trademarks as an output of their research in 2022 (0.5%) and 260 of 3,544 in 2018 (7.3%). 6 out of 13 (46%) of the first Faraday Institution PhD cohort generated IP in the course of their studies (accepting that the patent filing process may not be completed in each instance).
The cohort published 65 papers during the course of their PhD, which have been cited 1,354 times. Two patents have been filed, and two start-ups launched: About:Energy and Recovolt.
It is heartening to see that the considerable investment and commitment to talent development for the UK battery sector is bearing fruit. Back in 2018 we could only have dreamed of this type of impact. It has been our mission to equip the leaders of tomorrow with a multitude of skills to ensure they are workplace ready and have the knowledge of the array of battery related career pathways available to pursue. Diversification of skills and destinations has been key, and I will watch with admiration as the next stages of the former Faraday Institution PhD researchers’ careers unfold.”
Francesca Long, Head of Training and Talent Development
The Faraday Institution PhD training programme is increasing the knowledge skills and aspirations of early career researchers and helping to deliver future industry research and development staffing needs as well as strengthening university research groups working on energy storage.
Find out more PhD Training Programme. PhD success story. PhD internship success story.
Researcher Destinations
To Academia:
Victor Riesgo-Gonzalez - to University of Oxford
Faraday Institution PhD Researcher, University of Cambridge
Project: Degradation
Specialism: Materials synthesis
Supervisors: Professor Dame Clare Grey, Professor Dominic Wright
Project title: Metal oxide deposition for high performance NMC-811
Research Associate in polymer chemistry for battery applications
Professor Charlotte Williams’ Research Group
University of Oxford
The Faraday Institution PhD programme allowed me to gain significant knowledge and experience in battery science as well as grow my professional network, which were key in enabling me to secure my current role in academia. I aspire to forge a long-term career in academia and am grateful for these opportunities.”
Cameron Bathgate - to University of St Andrews
Faraday Institution PhD Researcher, University of St Andrews
Project: SOLBAT
Specialism: Interface chemistry
Supervisor: Professor John Irvine
Project title: High throughput materials synthesis and discovery
Internship at AMTE Power
Research Associate working on scale-up for the NEXGENNA project
Professor John Irvine’s Group
University of St Andrews
The Faraday institution helped build my confidence in creating a professional network and how to present myself when talking about science to others. I have also provided multiple opportunities to expand my knowledge base about batteries technology in the UK and see all the different parts of the supply change needed to integrate new battery technology in the world.”
To Industry:
Daisy Thornton - to Rimac Energy
Faraday Institution PhD Researcher, Imperial College London
Project: Degradation
Specialism: Lithium-ion battery degradation mechanisms
Supervisor: Prof Ifan Stephens
Project title: Probing degradation in lithium-ion batteries with ultra-sensitive electrochemistry mass spectrometry
Analyst internship at Rho Motion
Cell Degradation Engineer at Rimac Energy
I feel extremely lucky that I could be involved with the Faraday Institution. It allowed me to get to know people from all over the UK working on different areas of battery research. When you are doing a PhD, it is easy to have tunnel-vision and only focus on your project, but Faraday allowed me to put my research into the wider context and gain perspective.”
Dana Thompson - to Jaguar Land Rover
Faraday Institution PhD Researcher, University of Leicester
Project: ReLiB
Specialism: Recycling
Supervisor: Professor Andy Abbott
Project title: Selective dissolution and recovery of metals from mixed metal oxide systems
Battery Cell Developer at Jaguar Land Rover
Being part of the Faraday Institution has been pivotal in securing my position as a Battery Cell Developer at Jaguar Land Rover.”
Jacob Dean - to WAE
Faraday Institution PhD Researcher, University of Bath
Project: Multi-scale Modelling
Specialism: Computational modelling
Supervisor: Dr Benjamin Morgan
Project title: Computational modelling of inhomogeneities in lithium-ion solid electrolytes
Data Scientist at Elysia Battery Intelligence, Fortescue WAE
I thoroughly enjoyed the internship with WAE. It was the highlight of my PhD, and it would never have happened without the careers event that the Faraday Institution organised or all the work the team has done for the cohort over the years.”
Alexander Dimitrijevic - to European Space Agency
Faraday Institution PhD Researcher, University College London
Project: Degradation
Specialism: Cathode degradation
Supervisor: Rhod Jervis
Project title: Investigating the materials driven degradation of nickel rich NMC cathodes using X-ray imaging, diffraction and spectroscopic techniques
Support engineer in the Energy Storage Section at ESA
Once the internship was finally set up, the satisfaction I felt walking through the ESA doors for the first time is hard to describe. The problem with expectations is that you might end up disappointed, but the place really did deliver. Working there was as awesome as it sounds! I was constantly excited to go into work and learn from the expertise of my boss and members of the team, who have worked a lot with clients, customers and cell manufacturers. It was incredibly stimulating.”
Start-up
Kieran O’Regan - to About:Energy
Faraday Institution PhD Researcher, University of Birmingham
Project: Multi-scale Modelling
Specialism: Battery chemistry
Supervisor: Professor Emma Kendrick
Project title: Bridging electrochemistry experiments with models
Internship as Analyst at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
Faraday Institution Entrepreneurial Fellow
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of About:Energy.
Joint spin out from the University of Birmingham and Imperial College London commercialising the battery modelling capability developed by the Faraday Institution’s Multi-scale Modelling Project. Watch video.
TDAP Advanced Propulsion Centre Grant
Faraday Battery Challenge Grant
In the top ten finalists for European Startup Prize for Mobility
The Faraday Institution funded PhD has provided the opportunity to work closely with scientists whose research has real impact on battery technology and electrification. The PhD training programme has been significant in giving me the skills and confidence to pursue a similar path. I am now commercialising my PhD research through About:Energy, with the aim of transforming battery development around the world.”
Mahfuz Kamal - to own spin-out
Faraday Institution PhD Researcher, Newcastle University
Project: ReLiB
Specialism: Power electronics
Supervisor: Dr Simon Lambert
Project title: Energy management techniques to discharge Li-ion batteries prior to recycling
Researcher exploring the commercial potential of own research through the ICURe Programme with a view to setting up a spin-out.
Impact Accelerator Award (IAA) EPSRC
Being part of the Faraday Institution’s PhD cohort has provided me with a valuable network of industry experts. This access ensures that when I require specific knowledge or insights, I can reach out to the best in the field.”
To policy / analyst / other battery related roles
Rory McNulty - to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
Faraday Institution PhD Researcher, University of Nottingham
Project: Degradation
Specialism: Electrochemical characterisation
Supervisor: Associate Professor Lee Johnson
Project title: Revealing side-product catalysed degradation routes in the lithium-ion battery
Senior Research Analyst at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
My PhD focusing on the nuances of science, and my work on Benchmark looking at the perspective of the whole battery industry, really helped me to develop a more well-rounded outlook.”
Aaron Wade - to CRU|Exawatt
Faraday Institution PhD Researcher, University College London
Project: Multi-scale Modelling
Specialism: Particle cracking
Supervisor: Professor Paul Shearing
Project title: Optimising tomography protocols for lithium-ion battery electrode imaging
Start-up GREATAi
Project Director at Battery Pub
Head of Battery Costs at CRU|Exawatt
Being part of the Faraday Institution PhD cohort has been instrumental in securing my first job post PhD. Through site visits and guest lecturers at training events, I continuously engaged with the UK battery industry, building my network and opening my eyes to the opportunities. The frequent training events equipped me with industry relevant skills, such as negotiation, presentation, and communication. My internship at Exawatt was invaluable in giving me technical skills for my role at CRU|Exawatt.”
Haydn Francis - to UMAS
Faraday Institution PhD Researcher, University of Cambridge
Project: Degradation
Specialism: Lithium-ion battery degradation measurements
Supervisors: Professor Dame Clare Grey and Professor Hugo Bronstein
Project title: Development of optical sensors for applications in Li-ion batteries
Postgraduate Fellow, POST internship with the UK Parliament focusing on international shipping and emissions
Outreach for the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Global Battery Experiment
Teaching and content creation roles with IB Better and Millie Group
Researcher at the UCL Energy Institute
Maritime Decarbonisation Consultant at UMAS
The Faraday Institution PhD Programme provided a unique platform that enhanced the academic aspects of my PhD work as well as my personal career development. The expansive FI network within (and beyond) the Degradation project helped to contextualise, guide and motivate my academic over the four years, while the broader training programme offered excellent opportunities to develop professionally, gain experience outside of academia, and ultimately helped me to decide what I wanted to do post-PhD.”
John-Joseph Marie - to Faraday Institution
Faraday Institution PhD Researcher, University of Oxford
Project: CATMAT
Specialism: Materials synthesis
Supervisor: Professor Sir Peter Bruce
Project title: Development of oxygen-redox cathode materials
Internship at Rho Motion
Energy Storage Analyst at the Faraday Institution
The relationship that the Faraday Institution has with industrial partners is extremely beneficial to members of the PhD cohorts, presenting many opportunities to work directly with industry. These opportunities have allowed me to explore different areas of the battery industry and decide what to do next.”
Louis Dawson - to University of South Wales
Faraday Institution PhD Researcher, University of Birmingham
Project: ReLiB
Specialism: Legal side of recycling
Supervisor: Professor Robert Lee
Project title: Legislation for and socio-economic impacts of recycling of lithium-ion batteries
Higher Research Officer with the Welsh Parliament
Lecturer in Law for the Faculty of Business and Creative Industries at the University of South Wales with a specialism in Environmental Law
I see myself, be it in academia or in a policy setting like parliament, always wanting to make a real-life difference.”
Could you offer a PhD internship to a researcher as a route to securing future talent for your organisation?
See the Faraday Institution PhD Internship Catalogue.
Please contact Francesca Long, Head of Training and Talent Development.
