Applications are invited for a 4-year PhD studentship starting in Autumn 2021 as part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Aerosol Science.
Supervisory Team:
Dr Anton Souslov (lead), Department of Physics
Dr Adam Squires, Department of Chemistry
Prof Karen Edler, Department of Chemistry
The Project:
A variety of biological and synthetic aerosols are composed of soft materials that behave somewhere between a fluid and a solid. An important current example is aerosols that transmit COVID19, a viscous mixture of mucus proteins and lipids. However, the fundamental soft-matter science behind aerosol suspensions contains questions largely unexplored by the soft materials community. Understanding the interplay between surface tension and viscoelasticity in droplets underpins a variety of dynamic processes when droplets are produced, break apart, or adhere to surfaces.
This project will involve both a theoretical and an experimental part. The theoretical component will develop models to understand these dynamic processes of soft aerosols. The experimental component will study the viscoelastic properties of soft, viscous materials, including models for mucus and sputum, and the emerging behaviour of micron-sized droplets as they are produced, and impact on surfaces, to complement and test the models. The findings are fundamental, but potentially provide insights within a COVID perspective, into size and lifetimes of infectious aerosol particles, and the effectiveness of different mask materials.
About the CDT in Aerosol Science:
Aerosol science is crucial to disciplines as broad ranging as transmission of disease, drug delivery to the lungs, climate change, energy and combustion science, novel materials, and consumer and agricultural products.
An aerosol is any collection of particles dispersed in a gas. The CDT brings together a multi-disciplinary team of 80 post-graduate students and academics from 7 UK universities spanning the physical, environmental and health sciences, and engineering. Our aim is to tackle the global challenges in which aerosol science is key.
Doctoral Training in Aerosol Science:
During your doctorate, you will learn to research in diverse multidisciplinary teams, gain an advanced understanding of the core physical science of aerosols, and collaborate with industrial and public sector partners, equipping you to undertake ground-breaking research in aerosol science.
During the first 7 months of your PhD, you will join the CDT cohort based at the University of Bristol. Core training in aerosol science, research methods, professionalism and translation will be delivered by Team Based Learning. You will then undertake a short research project at your home or partner institution before starting your PhD research. You will gain experience outside academia in a placement with an industrial/public sector partner in Year 2 or 3.
More Information and How to Apply:
Candidates who aspire to work in a multidisciplinary field and hold, or will achieve, a minimum of an upper second-class undergraduate degree in any of these areas are encouraged to apply: chemistry, physics, biological sciences, life and medical sciences, mathematics and computer science, chemical and mechanical engineering, pharmaceutical and environmental sciences.
Dr Anton Souslov ([Email Address Removed]) would be pleased to discuss this research project further with interested candidates.
Enquiries about the programme or the selection process should be addressed to the CAS Administrator on email address [Email Address Removed].
Formal applications should be submitted to CAS on their online application form.
For more information on the application process, visit the CAS website.
Applications will close at 23:59 (BST) on Sunday 20 June 2021, although applications may close early if a suitable candidate is found. Early application is therefore strongly recommended.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
We are committed to furthering issues of equality, diversity and inclusion and are keen to attract the most highly talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. Please see our website for further information on our commitment to equality and diversity.
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