Application Deadline: 28 January 2026
LOCATION: England
They are looking for a PhD student to investigate the secretive forces that drag sticky ions to surfaces. The aim is to produce understanding and a model of the interaction. The tools will be both experimental and theoretical—depending on the skills and the preferences of the student, the work can be directed more in the direction of characterization of charged surfaces or towards analysis of data and developing thermodynamic models.
ELIGIBILITY:
The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or an MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking.
Candidates are expected to start in September (Semester 1).
Experiment-lovers, theory-lovers and especially those who hesitate between the two are welcome to apply.
The applications they are targeting are carbon capture and storage (the charge of the interface between the acidic aqueous phase and liquid carbon dioxide is essential there), mechanisms of rain (the role of ions for nucleation of water droplets in the atmosphere); and how are salts changing the behaviour of surfactants (numerous formulation problems ranging from shampoos to oil production).
Candidates with a background in chemistry, physics and chemical engineering are welcome to apply. Affinity for chemical thermodynamics and surface science is required; some knowledge of computer algebra packages (Maple, Mathematica, Python) and/or good hands-on experimental surface science skills is a plus. Enthusiasm for fundamental research is the most important thing.
BENEFIT:
Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.
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