Open Positions

Fully Funded:  

AI-Enhanced 3D Atomic-scale Imaging of Functional Materials for Clean Energy Conversion

Supervisors: Dr Peng Wang

Department: Physics, University of Warwick

Start Date: October 2026

Funding: Please see the EPSRC and BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Negative Emission Technologies for Net Zero (CDT in Net²Zero), which includes a complete description of the scholarship benefits.

This project will deliver new methodologies for 3D atomic-scale imaging of functional energy materials at low dose using multi-slice 4D STEM, enabling insights into dynamic processes that are inaccessible with conventional techniques. To address the complexity of reconstructing and interpreting large-scale 4D STEM datasets, the project will integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) approaches to enhance 3D reconstruction and feature recognition. Deep learning models will be developed to accelerate and stabilise image retrieval, improving robustness under low-dose and noisy conditions. ML algorithms will be used to detect and classify surface and subsurface structural motifs (vacancies, adatoms, lattice distortions) and correlate them with physical properties. Overall, the project will establish AI-enhanced multi-slice 4D STEM as a transformative platform for studying complex nanomaterials across energy and storage research. You will have access to world-class facilities, including advanced STEM, and high-performance computing platforms at Warwick.

Please find the PhD project details here.

To discuss future projects, contact: Prof. Peng Wang (peng.wang.3@warwick.ac.uk)

Fully Funded:  

Revealing Atomic Structure and Heterogeneity Within Metal-organic Frameworks Using 4D-STEM Low-dose imaging

Supervisors: Dr Peng Wang

Department: Physics, University of Warwick

Start Date: October 2026

Funding: Please see the EPSRC and BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Negative Emission Technologies for Net Zero (CDT in Net²Zero), which includes a complete description of the scholarship benefits.

As a remarkable class of materials recognised by the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) demonstrate diverse applications, including gas adsorption and separation, heterogeneous catalysis, and energy storage and conversion, that will play a pivotal role in combating climate change. Due to their high surface area, facilely-tailored functionality, and designable pore structure, MOFs have attracted significant attention as host materials to incorporate small molecules or nanoparticles, with a special focus on carbon capture and heterogeneous catalysis. To achieve a controllable synthesis of composites with specific functions, it is crucial to investigate how guest species interact with the 3D host framework at atomic scale in the three dimensions (3D).

The rapid development of low dose scanning/transmission electron microscopy (S)TEM imaging and diffraction techniques has demonstrated an unprecedented opportunity for the determination of the atomic-scale structure of MOFs. However, previous work using TEM predominantly relied on two-dimensional imaging modes, providing only projected information. Consequently, crucial details such as atomic defects, host–guest interactions, and surface terminations have remained unresolved in 3D. Developing new imaging methodologies with enhanced depth sensitivity is therefore essential to retrieve complete 3D structural information.

In recent years, the 4D-STEM ptychography technique has shown remarkable performance in achieving ultra-high resolution down to sub-ångström levels with high dose efficiency. This opens up the possibility for real atomic resolution imaging of MOFs, a feat that was previously unattainable. Additionally, it enables 3D imaging with depth information through the implementation of the multislice method. However, applying this technique to beam-sensitive materials pose a challenge. While some studies have demonstrated its efficiency in low-dose 3D imaging of zeolites, the situation is more challenging for MOFs due to their heightened sensitivity to electron beams. Therefore, technically there is still much room for improvement in the case of MOFs.

You will have access to world-class facilities, including advanced STEM, and high-performance computing platforms at Warwick.

Please find the PhD project details here.

To discuss future projects, contact: Prof. Peng Wang (peng.wang.3@warwick.ac.uk)

Fully Funded:

Innovative Design and Precision Characterization: Unleashing the Potential of Next-Gen Thin Films for High-Speed Wireless Communication

Supervisors: Dr Peng Wang¹ (Lead), Dr Huajun Liu²

1. Department of Physics, University of Warwick

2. A*STAR Research Institute, Singapore

Start Date: October 2026

The Warwick-A*STAR Research Attachment Programme (ARAP) offers fully funded four-year PhD studentships in Interdisciplinary Research. We provide an exciting opportunity for students to grow as experimental scientists, undertaking research to the highest international standards whilst working for extended periods in collaborating laboratories at the University of Warwick and an A*STAR research institute in Singapore. Projects are designed and supervised jointly by a Warwick and an A*STAR supervisor and training and support is given at both locations. Students typically spend Years One and Four at Warwick and Years Two and Three in Singapore.

Project details:

To discuss future projects, contact: Prof. Peng Wang (peng.wang.3@warwick.ac.uk)

Application Website: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/study/arap/projects/

Fully Funded:  

 Seeing Magnetism in 3D: Ptychographic Electron Tomography of Nanostructured Spin Textures

Supervisors: Dr Peng Wang, Prof. Julie Staunton

Department: Physics, University of Warwick

Start Date: October 2026

Funding: Please see the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Modelling of Heterogeneous Systems (CDT in HetSys), which includes a complete description of the scholarship benefits.

Magnetic skyrmions are tiny whirlpools of spins that could form the basis of future low-power data storage devices. However, real skyrmions are three-dimensional and can twist, stretch, or deform when trapped by material defects—behaviour that is still poorly understood. This project will develop advanced computational models to simulate a new imaging technique called electron ptychography, which can map magnetic fields in 3D at nanometre resolution. By combining quantum-mechanical modelling, tomographic reconstruction, and data-science methods, the project will reveal how skyrmions interact with defects, helping to design the next generation of magnetic materials.

This project aims to develop new theoretical and computational tools to visualise magnetic nanostructures such as skyrmions in three dimensions. Using an advanced imaging method known as electron ptychography, the student will simulate how electrons interact with magnetic materials and create algorithms to reconstruct 3D maps of their magnetic fields. The project will also model how skyrmions deform when they encounter defects, linking quantum mechanics, data science, and materials physics to understand their behaviour at the nanoscale.

You will have access to world-class facilities, including advanced STEM, and high-performance computing platforms at Warwick.

Please find the PhD project details here.

To discuss future projects, contact: Prof. Peng Wang (peng.wang.3@warwick.ac.uk)