Fully-funded PhD position available in synthetic organometallic chemistry for functional materials at the Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London

Start date: Oct 2024

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Project summary: The overall goal of this project is to form a new generation of switchable molecular devices with the potential to fulfil societal needs for flexible energy harvesting materials, low-power neuromorphic computing, smart textiles, and self-powered patches for healthcare. This project is an exciting opportunity to realise these new materials as part of a recently awarded £7m programme of research bringing together a world leading team in molecular electronics.

Project Outline: This PhD project will be based in the research group of Prof. Nicholas Long in the Chemistry Department, Imperial College London (https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/n.long and https://www.imperial.ac.uk/long-group/). The work will involve a range of synthetic organometallic chemistry techniques and working with a Schlenk line, as well as spectroscopic and electrochemical characterisation.  Target molecules to be synthesised will feature combinations of ferrocene derivatives, transition metals, metal-alkynes and macrocycles such as porphyrins and phthalocyanines. The resulting molecular structures will develop our fundamental understanding of quantum behaviour and molecular interactions at the atomic scale, and ultimately, provide new routes for developing nanoscale molecular electronic devices in collaboration with our partners at the Universities of Lancaster, Oxford and Liverpool.

Students are also expected to publish high impact journal publications and present their work at national and international meetings and conferences and will receive opportunities and training for personal and research development.

The position is available to candidates holding, or about to hold, a Masters degree in Chemistry, or in a related field if the applicability of the experience can be demonstrated. Full funding (bursary and tuition fees for 3.5 years) is available for Home students. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Prof. Nick Long ([Email Address Removed]) by email, describing their interest in the field along with a CV and the contact details of two referees.