A PhD Studentship is available for a suitably qualified candidate to conduct research leading to the award of a PhD degree in the field of Chemical Engineering.
The research is of an interdisciplinary nature and lies at the interface of physical science, engineering and biomaterials and will explore development and implementation of advanced, cost-effective and versatile soft lithography techniques as well as ways to establish applicability of patterned surfaces and their integration in miniaturised integrated microfluidic surface enhanced Raman scattering (IM-SERS) systems for point-of-care detection. The superior detection properties and the ability to fabricate IM-SERS on the miniaturised scale, will be aimed to facilitate the development of advanced and novel opto-fluidic devices, and will offer numerous applications in biomedical diagnostics, ecological warfare and homeland security.
The project will also focus on aspects of engineering designed molecules and materials as bottom-up building blocks for large area, highly ordered diverse 3D structures on the nanoscale for applications in hybrid photo-voltaics, solar cells, electro-chromic devices and display technology.
The candidate should be qualified to at least first degree level with an upper second or first class honours degree (high 2:1) in an appropriate branch of Engineering (e.g. Materials, Electrical, Chemical) or Exact Science (e.g. Physics, Chemistry) or related fields. A strong background in lithography, clean room hands-on experience, SERS and electron microscopy characterisation as well as a previous laboratory experience is advantageous, although full training will be provided. Due to funding restrictions the studentship is funded, covering maintenance, College and University fees (UK/EU), and continuation of funding is subject to annual performance review.
Applications comprising a detailed CV, cover letter, the names and addresses of two referees should be sent by email to Dr P. Goldberg Oppenheimer: p.goldbergoppenheimer@bham.ac.uk by 20th of January 2014. Dr Oppenheimer would also welcome informal enquiries. The successful applicant will be required subsequently to submit a standard application to the University.
Closing Date: 20th January 2014