Two PhD Studentships are expected to be available to start late 2013 for suitably qualified candidates 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 and homeland security.
The projects 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 photovoltaics, solar cells, electrochromic devices and display technology.
Due to funding restrictions applicants must be UK National and 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), Science (e.g. Physics, Chemistry) or related fields. A 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.
Applications comprising a detailed CV, cover letter and the names and addresses of two referees should be sent by email to Dr Pola G. Oppenheimer, GoldberP@adf.bham.ac.uk. Dr. Oppenheimer would also welcome informal enquiries. The successful applicant will be required subsequently to submit a standard application to the University.
Closing Date: 30th September 2013