UK-HyRES Early Career Researchers

The role of Early Career Researchers (ECRs)

Early career researchers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of low-carbon hydrogen and alternative liquid fuel research. The UK-HyRES ECR Network serves as a catalyst for collaboration, skill enhancement, and career development among its members. With an initial cohort of postdoctoral research assistants, associates, and affiliated PhD students, the network aims to expand rapidly, fostering a dynamic research ecosystem.

The ECR Network aims to empower members through a programme of tailored activities – chosen by the ECR’s. Our ambition is to provide a framework that will enable networking, up-skilling and career-development, all while connecting with senior Hub academics to develop future research leaders.

UK-HyRES ECR definition

Currently, UK-HyRES funded ECR’S are eligible to join the network free of charge, with funding available to cover travel and subsistence costs for any related events.

ECR’s that are associated to UK-HyRES through a supervisor (not funded by), are also welcome to join the UK-HyRES network to receive the same benefits and opportunities, however funding for travel and subsistence must come from host institutions or Centres of Doctoral Training (CDTs) as applicable.

To begin with, and to best align with UK-HyRES’s objectives, ECR’s not associated to UK-HyRES are not permitted to join the network. This will likely change as the UK-HyRES Network establishes itself

Early Career Academic Staff (less than 3 years from first academic appointment)
Post-Doctoral Research Assistants / Associates
PhD Students

UK-HyRES ECR Network Context

Hydrogen and alternative liquid fuels (H&ALFs), such as ammonia, are essential for the UK to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Hydrogen is a highly versatile energy vector suitable for use in many hard-to-decarbonise sectors where other energy options, such as electricity, are not suitable.

UK-HyRES aims to identify, prioritise, and seek impactful solutions to research challenges across the entire hydrogen value chain from production via storage and distribution to end use.

The EPSRC has awarded £10.7M to UK-HyRES (https://ukhyres.ac.uk/) for a five-year research grant which began 1 June 2023, following an extensive coordination phase from May 2022 to June 2023. In addition to this strong support, UK-HyRES has to date secured £7.0M in leveraged co-funding from industry, civic and other research partners and £8.1M from the Hub’s core universities for PhD students and other targeted investments. A separate EPSRC hydrogen hub, HI-ACT, Hydrogen Integration for Accelerated Energy Transitions, was also established at the same time. Hi-ACT focuses on the systems integration of today’s technologies, while UK-HyRES focuses on developing the technologies of tomorrow. While UK-HyRES will have a distinct ECR Network, the two groups will also come together to share ideas and collaborate.