Synchrotron radiation based studies of Functional materials

Supervisors: Prof Gopinathan Sankar (UCL) and Tim Hyde (Johnson Matthey PLC)

A 3 year PhD studentship is available in the Department of Chemistry, University College London, which will commence in September 2021.

Industrially important functional materials are widely used for a diverse range of applications. Whilst a considerable knowledge is gained using both surface science and bulk characterisation methods, in particular using Synchrotron Radiation techniques, advancing through high energy, space and time-resolution is becoming critically important to determine structure-function relationships. To address this, the project will develop methods to understand electronic and geometric characteristics through high energy resolution techniques, using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and related complementary methods of a range of systems.

You will :

Use advanced Synchrotron radiation techniques, specifically X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

Develop a broad range of experimental skills and experience to perform high-quality research at UCL, Johnson Matthey laboratories and at synchrotron facilities.

The project is sponsored by Johnson Matthey plc (a leading international speciality chemicals company) and University College London. The candidates should have, or expect to gain, a good honours degree (first or upper second) in chemistry or physics or materials, ideally including some experience in functional materials, bulk structural characterisation methods and inclination towards computational methods. Please direct applications and enquiries regarding this project to Prof Gopinathan Sankar ([Email Address Removed]) as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is 30th June 2021.