Targeting molecular data storage at liquid nitrogen temperature

Dual-award between The University of Manchester and The University of Melbourne.

This dual-award programme offers candidates the opportunity to apply for a project with a strong supervisory team both in Manchester and in Melbourne. A dual award is a PhD programme which leads to separate awards from two partner institutions. PhD candidates will be registered at both Manchester and Melbourne and must complete all of the requirements of the PhD programme in both the home and partner university.

PhD candidates will begin their PhD in Manchester and will then spend at least 12 months in Melbourne. The amount of time spent at Manchester and Melbourne will be dependent upon the project and candidates will work with their supervisory team in the first year to set out the structure of the project.

Project Description
A jointly awarded PhD studentship from The University of Melbourne and The University of Manchester is available for an outstanding and ambitious chemist to undertake research in the field of lanthanide single-molecule magnets. As part of a multidisciplinary international team, the successful candidate will spend time performing research in the laboratories of Dr David Mills in the Department of Chemistry at Manchester and Assoc Prof Colette Boskovic in the School of Chemistry at Melbourne. The aim of this project is to synthesise and investigate a series of highly axial dimetallic lanthanide complexes that are predicted to exhibit single-molecule magnet behaviour at technologically useful temperatures. The physical properties of these complexes will be analysed using a variety of complementary physical techniques. The project will allow the student to gain expertise in synthetic organometallic chemistry, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, SQUID magnetometry, EPR spectroscopy, electrochemistry and inelastic neutron scattering. Ab initio calculations will be carried out in collaboration with the group of Dr Nicholas Chilton at Manchester.
Candidates must meet the entry requirements of both Universities and must have a suitable degree specialising in chemistry. Students should have an interest in physical inorganic chemistry and electronic structure of metal complexes. Experience of practical synthetic chemistry, especially air-sensitive chemistry (Schlenk lines and glove boxes) would be advantageous, although training will be provided. You should be capable of working under your own initiative and working with research teams in Melbourne and Manchester, so excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills are also required.

Academic background of candidates:
Candidates should have or expect to obtain a first class or upper-second class degree, specialising in Chemistry. Experience of practical synthetic chemistry, especially air-sensitive chemistry (Schlenk lines and glove boxes) would be advantageous, although training will be provided. You should be capable of working under your own initiative and working within a small research team, so excellent communication and organisational skills are also required.

Contact for further Information:
Dr David Mills, E: [Email Address Removed], P: (+44)161 275 4606, W: millsgroup.weebly.com, T: @millsgroupchem
Dr Colette Boskovic, E: [Email Address Removed], P: (+61) 3 8344 4971, W: https://boskovic.chemistry.unimelb.edu.au,
T: @coletteboskovic