Coordination polymer nanocrystals: Rational design for active function

A Ph.D. Scholarship, supported the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, has become available in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Otago. The position involves contributing to a project titled “Coordination polymer nanocrystals: Rational design for active function”, and will be supervised by Dr. Carla Meledandri.

Coordination polymer nanocrystals are an exciting new class of materials with remarkable properties and largely untapped potential. The aim of the project is to gain knowledge for the rational design of molecular complexes that will subsequently be used to prepare new nanocrystals of metal-organic frameworks, with specific chemical and physical properties, and therefore function, for desired applications. The ‘nanoMOFs’ will be prepared through colloidal-based synthetic methods, following a thorough, fundamental investigation into the physical properties, surface composition and mechanism of growth of a class of coordination polymer nanocrystals recently developed by our team. Also of interest is the development of multi-compositional nanocrystals, with the materials taking the form of either hierarchical structures and/or co-crystals.

The successful candidate will have a B.Sc. Honours or M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, and an excellent command of written and spoken English. Applications from international as well as domestic students are welcomed. Knowledge and experience in colloidal and surface chemistry techniques, nanocrystal synthesis and related characterisation techniques, and/or synthesis and characterisation of metal-organic frameworks would be an advantage. The tenure of the scholarship is for three years, and it is desired that the successful candidate would take up the position as soon as possible. Review of applications will begin in late Nov 2016, and continue until the position is filled.

The student will receive a stipend of NZ$27,000 per annum in addition to course fees. Funding is provided by The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology.

Applications should include a full CV and the names/contact details of at least two referees. Applications should be sent (preferably by email) ASAP to: Dr. Carla Meledandri, Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand; [Email Address Removed].