SEPnet-Funded PhD Studentship in the Chemical Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials
Monday 9 May 2011
Metal-Enhanced Intramolecular Charge-Transfer
Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship in Organic Synthesis, which is funded by the South East Physics Network (SEPnet). The position is available to start any time on or after the 1st of April, 2011 within the Photonics Group of the Advanced Technology Institute at the University of Surrey. ONLY UK/EU-nationals will be eligible for a stipend of £13,592 per annum and for a grant to pay course fees of £3,440 per annum (UK/EU ONLY).
Project Description
In general, it is now becoming increasingly recognized that there is a greater advantage in mixing inorganic and organic components to achieve desired materials properties than to operate within the confines of either the organic or inorganic material subclass. This Ph. D. project will address the effectiveness of the use of non-covalent coordination chemistry as a facile means to enhancing the molecular properties of pre-existing organic non-linear optical structural motifs. It will explore the structural, electronic and spectroscopic consequences of metal coordination to organic intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) ligand systems. The project will establish the working criteria for optimizing the solution-phase molecular properties of the organic ligands as a function of the metal, its geometry and its binding position along the ICT backbone. This work will explore these fundamental questions by organic and inorganic synthesis, computational chemistry and spectroscopy. Once the fundamentals are established, efforts will be expanded towards dynamic light-up organopolymers, metallomesogens and metallochromophores. Non-linear optical effects in ordered media will be investigated through a partnership with the University of Southampton’s Quantum, Light and Matter Group under the direction of Dr. Malgosia Kaczmarek. The candidate will be expected to spend some time being trained in the use of the facilities at Southampton, which will take place towards the end of their project.
Requirements
The successful applicant will hold a first degree in chemistry or chemical engineering. The candidate should be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of chemical synthesis either through peer reviewed journal articles or experience performing novel experimental synthetic research. A recommendation letter should be provided directly by the applicant’s recommender, upon request. An interest in photonics and materials chemistry is desirable. Applicants should be able to write quality technical reports in English.
Informal enquiries or technical questions about the project can be directed to Dr. Peter D. Jarowski (Tel: +44 (0)1483 689862 or e-mail: p.d.jarowski@surrey.ac.uk). Applications in the form of a C.V. should be electronically submitted to this address.