Design and synthesis of new nanosheets for advanced applications

Applications are invited for a DPhil position in Inorganic Chemistry, available from April 2021 (or later in the year by agreement), to work with Professor Dermot O’Hare in the Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, UK. The subject of the thesis will be “Design and synthesis of new nanosheets for advanced applications”. This studentship is funded by SCG Chemicals Co., Ltd (Thailand).

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), also known as hydrotalcites, exhibit rich solid-state chemistry since both the composition of the metal layers and the intercalated anions can be varied. They have captured much attention in recent years due to their impact across a range of applications such as catalysis, optics, medical science and in inorganic-organic nanocomposites. Recently, we have reported the synthesis of a new family of dispersible, hydrophobic LDHs exhibiting very high surface areas and pore volume.

This studentship will involve synthesis, characterisation and testing of new layered double hydroxides nanocomposites and zirconium phosphate base materials.

The candidate is expected to have a strong interest in chemical synthesis, solid-state chemistry and characterisation, and keen to work in collaboration with industry. Experience in nanosheets synthesis would be an advantage. The candidate should also have a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications) in chemistry or a related science discipline.
This studentship will cover course fees at Home rate plus provide a stipend of no less than the standard UK Research Council rate, currently set at £15,285 per year for three and a half years.

Application deadline

12.00 noon UK time on Friday, 22nd January 2021 (extended from November)
Candidates should submit a formal application for DPhil in Inorganic Chemistry via Oxford online application system:
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/applying-to-oxford , quoting DMOH/SCG/LDH/TT2021
Queries relating to the application and admission process should be directed to: [Email Address Removed] ; tel.: +44 (0) 1865 272569.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr. Jean-Charles Buffet, Deputy Director SCG-Oxford Centre of Excellence in Chemistry: [Email Address Removed]. For a summary of the group’s current research interests please see: http://ohare.chem.ox.ac.uk/
The Department of Chemistry is the holder of Athena SWAN Silver Award.