Functional Printing: Funded PhD Studentship: Nanomaterials for Safe Smart Packaging (Joint PhD Research Study)

Swansea University is a UK top 30 institution for research excellence (Research Excellence Framework 2014), and has been named Welsh University of the Year 2017 by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.

This scholarship is for a joint Swansea-Grenoble PhD. During the candidature the successful applicant will spend time at the College of Engineering, Swansea University and the Doctoral School of Materials, Mechanics, Environment, Energy, Processes and Production (IMEP2).

Project start date: 1 October 2017

Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 17 July 2017.

This project is likely to have significant societal impact through providing a technology that will ultimately underpin future food safety for the general public. The project addresses research that is required to achieve safe and smart packaging. The project brings together two distinct strands – safe will require undertaking research on nanocellulose that has novel antibacterial properties and how this emerging and potentially abundant material can be used to facilitate safe packaging. Smart will require undertaking research into sensors that can detect food spoilage (or potential for spoilage) that are fabricated using a printing technology. A key challenge is the manufacture of a sensor by printing using materials that does not lead to food contamination. The two project strands will be brought together through a demonstrator of a safe and smart package application. The project will develop skills in ink and coating formulation, deposition of functional materials by printing and coating processes and advanced metrology techniques. The work will be undertaken in world leading facilities in Grenoble INP Pagora and the Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating in the College of Engineering at Swansea University.

Eligibility

As this is a joint degree, applicants must meet entry/funder requirements of both Universities, namely:

Communaute Université Grenoble Alpes:

Applicants must hold a Masters or Engineer degree in a relevant discipline (Engineering or Physical Sciences).

Swansea University:

Either a First class Honours Degree with a Masters in a relevant discipline (Engineering or Physical Sciences) or, a Masters with Distinction.

Desirable skills and qualities:

- Expertise in Cellulose-based materials
- Expertise in process engineering (printing / coating processes,
- Expertise in complex fluid formulation and characterization (Rheology)
- Expertise in microstructure of material characterization
- English language requirement IELTS 6.5 (with 5.5 in each component)
- Autonomy, professionalism, capacity to analyze and synthesize, motivation, ability to work in a team

Due to funding restrictions, this studentship is open to UK/EU candidates only.