Crystallography of Advanced Inorganic Materials at University of Liverpool on FindAPhD.com

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Prof M J Rosseinsky, Dr J Claridge No more applications being accepted Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Liverpool United Kingdom Ceramics Inorganic Chemistry Metallurgy Physical Chemistry Structural Chemistry

About the Project

This PhD project focusses on state-of-the-art structural characterisation of new advanced materials in single crystal form. Single crystals of functional materials can provide a wealth of structural and physical information to the materials chemist that is unavailable or hard to obtain from polycrystalline samples. The aim is to increase our understanding of how crystal structure controls properties, which will allow the design of new materials with enhanced performance. The successful candidate will synthesise and crystallographically characterise crystals of novel inorganic compounds. The student will be trained in single crystal diffraction, crystal chemistry and physics, various crystal growth techniques, and measurement of physical properties, building a diverse portfolio of skills. As well as obtaining knowledge and experience in these areas, the student will develop skills in teamwork and scientific communication, as part of a team that work closely together.

The project is based in the Materials Innovation Factory (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/materials-innovation-factory/) at the University of Liverpool. The Rosseinsky Group has a well-established multidisciplinary expertise spanning chemistry, physics, materials science and computer science within the group, and an extensive network of external collaborations. Applications are welcomed from candidates with a strong undergraduate interest/background in solid state chemistry, condensed matter physics, materials science or related fields.

The position is part of a multi-disciplinary project: “Digital Navigation of Chemical Space for Function” that seeks to combine physical and computer science approaches to accelerate materials discovery with a focus on new structures and net-zero applications in energy, catalysis and information storage.

The studentship will be jointly supervised by Prof Matt Rosseinsky and Dr John Claridge.

The successful candidate should have, or expect to have, at least a 2:1 degree or equivalent in Chemistry. Please apply by completing the online postgraduate research application form at https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/. Please ensure you quote the following reference on your application: PhD Studentship in Physical Crystallography of Advanced Inorganic Materials (Reference CCPR0030).

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr Claridge ([Email Address Removed]).

The funding for this position may be a University of Liverpool GTA (flexibly allocated i.e. not specified by project at this stage). Details below – we do however accept applications from international students and can appoint on a non-GTA contract.

The stipend will be paid in line with the standard UKRI rate and tuition fees covered at the UK rate. Students are encouraged to undertake some teaching duties for the Department, up to a maximum of 6 hours per week in term time, for which they will receive training and be paid at the regular hourly rate (currently £15.99 per hour).

Funding Notes

Funding
Applications from candidates meeting the eligibility requirements of the EPSRC are welcome – please refer to EPSRC website: https://www.ukri.org/our-work/developing-people-and-skills/find-studentships-and-doctoral-training/get-a-studentship-to-fund-your-doctorate/
The award will pay full tuition fees and maintenance grant for 3.5 years. The maintenance grant will be at the UKRI rate, currently £15,609.00 per annum for 2021-22, subject to possible increase.

References

1 G Han, A Vasylenko, A R Neale, B B Duff, R Chen, M S Dyer, Y Dang, L M Daniels, M Zanella, C M Robertson, L J Kershaw Cook, A L Hansen, M Knapp, L J Hardwick, F Blanc, J B Claridge, & M J Rosseinsky, Extended Condensed Ultraphosphate Frameworks with Monovalent Ions Combine Lithium Mobility with High Computed Electrochemical Stability, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 143 (2021) 18216-18232
2 E Shoko, Y Dang, G Han, B B Duff, M S Dyer, L M Daniels, R Chen, F Blanc, J B Claridge, & M J Rosseinsky, Polymorph of LiAlP2O7: Combined Computational, Synthetic, Crystallographic, and Ionic Conductivity Study, Inorg. Chem., 60 (2021) 14083-14095
3 Q D Gibson, T Zhao, L M Daniels, H C Walker, R Daou, S Hébert, M Zanella, M S Dyer, J B Claridge, B Slater, M W Gaultois, F Corà, J Alaria, & M J Rosseinsky, Low thermal conductivity in a modular inorganic material with bonding anisotropy and mismatch, Science 373 (2021) 1017-1022
4 H C Sansom, G Longo, A D Wright, L R V Buizza, S Mahesh, B Wenger, M Zanella, M Abdi-Jalebi, M J Pitcher, M S Dyer, T D Manning, R H Friend, L M Kerz, H J Snaith, J B Claridge, & M J Rosseinsky, Highly Absorbing Lead-Free Semiconductor Cu2AgBiI6 for Photovoltaic Applications from the Quaternary CuI-AgI-BiI3 Phase Space, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 143 (2021) 3983-3992
5 Q D Gibson, T D Manning, M Zanella, T Zhao, P J Murgatroyd, C M Robertson, L A H Jones, F McBride, R Raval, F Corà, B Slater, J B Claridge, V R Dhanak, M S Dyer, J Alaria, & M J Rosseinsky, Modular design via multiple anion chemistry of the high mobility van der Waals semiconductor Bi4O4SeCl2, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 142 (2020) 847-856
6 C Delacotte, G F S Whitehead, M J Pitcher, C M Robertson, P M Sharp, M S Dyer, J Alaria, J B Claridge, G R Darling, D R Allan, G Winter, & M J Rosseinsky, Structure determination and crystal chemistry of large repeat mixed-layer hexaferrites, IUCrJ. 5 (2018) 681-698.
7 C Collins, M S Dyer, M J Pitcher, G F S Whitehead, M Zanella, P Mandal, J B Claridge, G R Darling, & M J Rosseinsky, Accelerated discovery of two crystal structure types in a complex inorganic phase field, Nature 546 (2017) 280-284
8 Q D Gibson, M S Dyer, G F S Whitehead, J Alaria, M J Pitcher, H J Edwards, J B Claridge, M Zanella, K Dawson, T D Manning, et al. Bi4O4Cu1.7Se2.7Cl0.3: Intergrowth of BiOCuSe and Bi2O2Se Stabilized by the Addition of a Third Anion, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 139 (2017) 15568-15571
9 H C Sansom, G F S Whitehead, M S Dyer, M Zanella, T D Manning, M J Pitcher, T J Whittles, V R Dhanak, J Alaria, J B Claridge, et al., AgBiI4 as a Lead-Free Solar Absorber with Potential Application in Photovoltaics, Chem. Mater. 29 (2017) 1538-1549
10 P Mandal, M J Pitcher, J Alaria, H Niu, P Borisov, P Stamenov, J. B. Claridge, & M J Rosseinsky, Designing switchable polarization and magnetization at room temperature in an oxide, Nature 525 (2015) 363-366
11 M J Pitcher, P Mandal, M S Dyer, J Alaria, P Borisov, H Niu, J B Claridge, & M J Rosseinsky, Tilt engineering of spontaneous polarization and magnetization above 300 K in a bulk layered perovskite, Science 347 (2015) 420–424
12 J Alaria, P Borisov, M S Dyer, T D Manning, S Lepadatu, M G Cain, E D Mishina, N E Sherstyuk, N A Ilyin, J Hadermann, D Lederman, J B Claridge, & M J Rosseinsky, Engineered spatial inversion symmetry breaking in an oxide heterostructure built from isosymmetric room-temperature magnetically ordered components, Chem. Sci. 5 (2014) 1599–1610
13 M S Dyer, C Collins, D Hodgeman, P A Chater, A Demont, S Romani, R Sayers, M F Thomas, J B Claridge, G R Darling, & M J Rosseinsky, Computationally Assisted Identification of Functional Inorganic Materials, Science 340 (2013) 847–852

Where will I study?

University of Liverpool

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