About the Project
The studentship is part of the UK’s Centre of Doctoral Training in Metamaterials (XM2) based in the Departments of Physics and Engineering on the Streatham Campus in Exeter. Its aim is to undertake world-leading research, while training scientists and engineers with the relevant research skills and knowledge, and professional attributes for industry and academia.
Please see our website for more details www.exeter.ac.uk/metamaterials
Joint supervisors: Prof. Roy Sambles, Prof. A. P. Hibbins
Statement of Research
It is the focus of this project to design, construct and characterise a broadband high-index but impedance-matched medium to air, for RF and microwaves up to and beyond 1 GHz. Whereas initial studies will consider normal incidence, the ultimate goal is to maximise the angle-stability of the impedance matching. The application context is small multifunction antennas, but the breakthroughs will have generic relevance to wide band RF/microwave applications.
The challenges are numerous and difficult, but we expect great advances in understanding and device design from a competent student. There are a wealth of studies in the scientific literature, and the student will be required to undertake a substantial review to provide DSTL with a summary of the state-of-the-art on composite materials and impedance matching. He or she will need to become familiar with the physics of magnetic and composite materials, and fabrication and characterisation techniques. A particular obstacle will be to manufacture the materials on a scale large enough to be tested in the high MHz, low GHz regime, where strip-line techniques become unfeasible. The ability to manufacture large scale (Several tens of cms) materials having bespoke electromagnetic parameters will be essential if the project is to reach its full potential for applications. The student will also need to become fully familiar with the fundamentals of magnetism, the complexities of wave optics, and polarisation effects in order to explore and extend the limitations involved in layered devices.
About XM2
Metamaterials are fabricated microstructures having properties beyond those found in nature. They are emerging as an important new class of materials with applications in many technology areas, from energy harvesting, through perfect imaging, to the much-hyped ‘cloaking’. Having recruited over 50 new PhD researchers in its first three years, the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (XM2) hosted by the University of Exeter (www.exeter.ac.uk/metamaterials) will admit its fourth cohort of 14-18 PhD students in September 2017.
Exeter has a well-established and strong track record of relevant research, spanning a unique mix of interests. We will run projects in the following fields (see our list of themes for full details)
Optical, Infra-red and THz Photonics and Plasmonics
Microwave Metamaterials
Magnonics, Spintronics and Magnetic Metamaterials
Acoustic and Fluid-dynamical Metamaterials
Wave Theory and Spatial Transformations
Graphene and other 2D Materials, and related Devices
Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites
Biological and Bio-inspired Metamaterials
Quantum Metamaterials
The first year of the studentship includes an assessed, stand alone project, and a substantial programme of training. Students will choose from a wide range of taught modules, and participate in academic and personal development skills-based workshops, together with creativity events and conference-style meetings. The cohort will also be expected to disseminate their results to the international community via high-impact publications and international conferences. They will spend time working with our academic and industrial partners. Full details of the programme are available here, or email us for a copy of our prospectus.
The University of Exeter is a top 10 UK university, in the top 1% of universities globally, and a member of the elite Russell Group of institutions. The University has committed itself to a substantial expansion in its science base and within Physics and Engineering, over £10m has been spent on infrastructure since 2008 and around 30 new academic staff have been appointed across the Centre's themes.
Summary
Application deadline: 31st July 2017
Number of awards: 1
Value: 4-year studentship: UK/EU students, includes tuition fees and an annual enhanced stipend (£16,553 for 2017-18)
Duration of award: per year
Contact: Prof. Alastair Hibbins (Admissions Tutor) [Email Address Removed]
How to apply
Application criteria
During the application process you will need to upload the documents listed below. Please prepare these before starting the application process.
A statement describing why you would like to study for a PhD in Physics or Engineering,
A statement describing why you are considering a PhD programme that offers a cohort-based doctoral training model,
An academic CV,
A document outlining your research interests and any relevant expertise,
Degree transcript(s) giving information about the qualification awarded, the modules taken during the study period, and the marks for each module taken.
In addition, we advise that you upload a cover letter or provide further information about your your preferred area(s) of study within the XM2 themes and/or your interest in a particular project, and also whether you've been in contact with a particular supervisor. You will be asked to provide the contact details of two academic referees.
Please note that of the 25 projects advertised we expect, as a Centre, to fill 14-18 posts only.
Application procedure
Applications should be made via the Apply Online system. Please email [Email Address Removed] if you have any queries about this process.
You will need to specify that you are making a Research application, with a keyword search of Metamaterials, specifying the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, and Full Time. Please then select the course, Physics / Engineering (CDT) - Metamaterials - Doctor of Philosophy - (Full Time) with the start date September 2017.
Shortlisting and interviews
Applications will be reviewed by members of the XM2 management board and candidates will be short-listed against a set of agreed criteria to ensure quality while maintaining diversity. Failure to include all the the elements above may result in rejection. Criteria will include:
ESSENTIAL
Excellence in a lower degree in a relevant discipline;
Excellence in written and oral skills in English;
Evidence of knowledge of XM2 ethos, research themes and/or supervisors.
DESIRABLE
Specialist knowledge about one or more XM2 topics;
Research outputs (e.g. papers) and/or has undertaken training in research methodology (e.g. undergraduate research projects);
Ability to work collaboratively.
Short-listed candidates will be interviewed by a panel of two academic members of staff drawn from the management board. If successful, a second interview will be undertaken by the potential academic supervisors for the student concerned. Offers are normally made shortly after a successful second interview
Read more at http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/money/fundingsearch/awarddetails/?id=2651#GskXFh7Edw6XdB7o.99