Exciting Funded PhD: Durability of Seals for High-Pressure H2 Generation, Storage & Use – Shape The Future Of Clean Energy!

The University of Sheffield’s Leonardo Centre, a world-leader in tribology, is seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated PhD student to join a collaborative project funded by John Crane Ltd, one of the world’s leading providers of engineered technology.

Project Overview:

• Play a vital role in developing next-generation, highly-specialised mechanical seals for high-pressure hydrogen generation, storage and use, a cornerstone of renewable energy solutions. Mechanical seals have a rotating ceramic face pressed against a stationary face. They leak a tiny amount of sealed gas, a sub-micron thin layer, to make sure the faces do not contact and wear out.
• Conduct cutting-edge experiments to understand how surface texture affects seal performance and explore the use of an ultrasonic sensor for real-time monitoring.
• Combine your skills in experimentation and modelling to contribute to ground breaking research.
• Start date: September 2025

Benefits:

• Industry Impact: Work directly with John Crane, gaining valuable experience in a world-renowned company. John Crane is a $1Bn industry and the global leader in mechanical sealing.
• Collaborative Environment: Join a vibrant research group at the Leonardo Centre, surrounded by supportive peers and experienced academics.
• Funding and Opportunities: Funded PhD position covering tuition and a stipend (EPSRC rates). Work at John Crane’s research centre (Manchester) and manufacturing site (Slough).

Requirements:

• First-class or upper-second class honours degree (or international equivalents) in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.

Why Choose Us?

• Funded PhD at the standard EPSRC rate covering fees and bursary. Funding is only available to cover the level of fees set for UK applicants for 4 years. Applicants from non-UK/EU will need to cover the extra fees from their own funds.
• Make a Global Impact: Be at the forefront of clean energy solutions, contributing to a sustainable future.
• World-Class Environment: Develop your research expertise in a world-class tribology group.
• Industry Experience: Gain valuable industry experience with a global leader.

Interested?

Contact Prof. Rob Dwyer-Joyce (r.dwyerjoyce@shef.ac.uk) for more information.

Learn More:

• The Leonardo Centre: www.sheffield.ac.uk/leonardocentre
• John Crane Ltd: https://www.johncrane.com/

More information

About the Project:

The transition away from fossil fuels has been rapid. Increasingly our energy comes from renewable sources such as wind and solar. These sources are intermittent which means we need to store and transport the energy they produce for use when and where it is needed. Hydrogen will also increasingly be used as an energy source for transport. To store high pressure hydrogen requires advanced rotating machinery with highly specialised mechanical seals.

This project is about supporting development of new seals for use in that high pressure environment. Mechanical seals have a rotating ceramic face pressed against a stationary face. They leak a tiny amount of sealed gas, a sub-micron thin layer, to make sure the faces do not contact and wear out. Amongst other things we’ll be conducting experiments to see how the surface texture can help this. You’ll also be researching to trial an ultrasonic sensor to try to measure the thickness of the tiny seal gap. The work is a combination of experimental and modelling activities. The project is funded by John Crane. You will be working closely with them and have the opportunity to work at their sites in Manchester and Slough.

About the Centre and Sponsors:

The Leonardo Centre in the School of Mechanical, Electrical and Civil Engineering at the University of Sheffield is one of the leading tribology and machine element groups in the UK with 6 academic staff and over 50 PhD students. The Centre covers a wide range of fundamental and applied research and has a large group of industrial funders and collaborators. You will be joining a great team of supportive and social PhD students working in three well-equipped labs. 

John Crane Ltd is a $1Bn industry and the world leader in mechanical sealing. They design, manufacture, install, and support sealing for all kinds of rotating machines for all industries. You would be working with the research centre in Manchester and the manufacturing site in Slough.