Location: Highfield Campus
Closing Date: Saturday 26 April 2014
Reference: 232713EB

Project description: A PhD position entitled ‘Starstream; a revolutionary surface preparation system’ is available to work with Dr Peter Birkin in Chemistry, at the University of Southampton.

This studentship is fully funded for 3 years and, but due to funding restrictions, is only open to UK citizens or EU citizens with 3 years UK residency. The studentship includes the standard stipend and full payment of fees.

Research in Dr Birkin’s group is in the area of acoustic excitation of gas bubbles in liquids. The aim of this project is to develop novel ultrasonic technology (Starstream) with the aim of exploiting this technology in a number of new areas.

Starstream[1]^,[2]was developed in the Chemistry department at the University of Southampton in collaboration with Engineering. This technology relies on the activation of gas bubbles in a liquid stream by acoustic stimuli. The technology is under investigation in a number of areas related to surface cleaning including biofouling and nuclear decontamination. The technology has been designed to use minimal additives, power and water. Electrochemical technology is fundamental to the operation and characterisation of this technology. The PhD is aimed at expanding the scope of this technology into other useful areas. This will include investigating new designs, materials and fluid compositions. The project will involve electrochemical, acoustic, cleaning experiments as well as imaging (e.g. using a high-speed cameras etc.) the mechanisms involved. The successful candidate will work as part of a team developing the technology and be expected to address the challenges posed by the technology as well as write reports, contribute to publications and present seminars to collaborators and other interested parties.

More details regarding Dr Birkin’s research can be found at: www.soton.ac.uk/~prb2/home.htm. Details of the Chemistry department can be found by following the research and postgraduate links on the School website, www.chem.soton.ac.uk.

Applicants should have, or expect to obtain, a first or upper second class BSc, MChem, or equivalent degree in Chemistry, Physics, or a related subject.  

Applications have a rolling deadline and the position may be filled as soon as a suitable candidate has been identified.

To apply please click on the ‘Apply’ button below.

Administrative contact and how to apply:
Please complete the University’s online application form, which you can find at:
https://studentrecords.soton.ac.uk/BNNRPROD/bzsksrch.P_Search

You should enter Dr Peter Birkin as your proposed supervisor. Queries on the application procedure should be addressed to pgafnes@soton.ac.uk

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Due to technical maintenance, the University web recruitment system will be unavailable during the above period.