Porous Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) Materials for Chemical Sensing: from Structural Chemistry to Device Fabrication

Dr Stephen Moggach and Prof. Anita Jones (School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh), Dr Adam Stokes (School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh) and Dr Ross Forgan (School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow)

Applications are invited for a 4-year PhD studentship in a collaborative project run between the Moggach, Jones, Stokes and Forgan Groups. The successful candidate will be a part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Intelligent Sensing and Measurement (CDT-ISM).

Metal-organic frameworks, commonly referred to as MOFs, are porous materials which have been investigated for a variety of potential applications, such as gas capture and storage, catalysis and sensing. By using a combination of in-situ X-ray diffraction and optical spectroscopy, we plan to exploit the unique analyte-responsive properties of porous MOFs for applications in chemical sensing. The most promising materials will be incorporated into microfluidic optical sensing devices to develop intelligent and integrated sensing systems. This project spans from materials synthesis and characterisation through to integrated device fabrication.

The CDT-ISM is run jointly by Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities, both powerhouses in the realm of sensor research. With active sensors-related research collaborations with over 160 companies they provide a unique research excellence, expertise and depth.

The student undertaking this project will receive training in an extremely wide variety of techniques. This is a truly multidisciplinary project, with expertise in synthetic chemistry, diffraction and optical measurements, and device fabrication. We therefore have the ability to create state-of-the art porous materials, test their properties and incorporate them into intelligent integrated sensing systems within this project.

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be addressed to Dr Stephen Moggach ([Email Address Removed]) Formal applications should be done via the CDT http://cdt-ism.org/. You should have, or be expecting to achieve, a first or upper second class Honours degree, or equivalent, in physics, chemistry, chemical physics or engineering. Applicants must also meet the EPSRC residency requirements - a UK/EU citizen resident in the UK for the past 3 years.

The deadline for applications is 30 April 2017 – applications will be reviewed as they are received so please do not delay with applying if you are interested.