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Ph.D. Opportunities in Condensed Matter and Materials Physics

Current Opportunities

4 Year PhD studentships in Modelling Radiation Damage in Semiconductors and Insulators

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship in the area of modelling radiation damage in semiconducting and insulating materials. The modification of materials by irradiating with ions, photons and electrons impacts many areas of science and technology, including nanotechnology, nuclear technology and high resolution imaging. In some scenarios this modification is beneficial, as in nanostructuring material surfaces with ion beams, and in other cases it is detrimental to material properties, as in radiation damage of nuclear materials.

The aim of the project is to develop and apply modelling methods that will improve the predictive power of current modelling techniques in situations where the radiation results in a high density of excited electrons, such as laser irradiation and high energy ion irradiation. We are currently developing a methodology that will improve traditional methods by including the mechanisms that transfer energy between atoms and electrons.

The PhD will be part of the Materials Modelling and Materials Science Doctoral Training Centre. For more information about the centre see: http://www.m3s.ucl.ac.uk/

The studentship is open to UK and  EU graduates with a good degree in Physics, Chemistry or a related subject. The candidate should have a strong interest in computational physics and programming.

For more information about the project and how to apply contact Dr Dorothy Duffy (d.duffy@ucl.ac.uk; 020 7679 3032)

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2 Year Post-Doctoral Research Assistant in Computational Biophysics/Enzyme Catalysis

A 2-year post-doctoral research position is available from 1st June 2012 in the research group of Dr. Jochen Blumberger at University College London. The project will focus on the development of a ligand diffusion-reaction model in enzymes by combining methods from computational chemistry and biophysics. The method will be applied to [FeFe]-hydrogenase, a promising biocatalyst for future production of biohydrogen. The theoretical simulations will support and guide ongoing bioengineering efforts aimed at making the enzyme more robust against inhibition and oxidative damage. These are some of the main obstacles that hamper the use of hydrogenases on an industrial scale. The project will be carried out in collaboration with experimentalists in France and with Dr. Robert Best in Cambridge. Access to high performance computing facilities will be provided.            

The candidate should have or be about to obtain a PhD in theoretical/physical chemistry or physics. Experience in quantum chemistry (DFT and/or wavefunction based methods) and shell scripting is required. The candidate should also have a strong interest in QM/MM and advanced classical molecular dynamics techniques. Applications should include a full CV and the names of two referees, and should be sent preferably by email to:

Interested candidates may want to take a look at recent group publications in the field as listed on the group website noted above. The closing date for applications is 31st May 2012.

The CMMP group offers one of the most exciting environments in the UK for graduate studies in condensed matter physics. Research within the group spans a wide spectrum of subjects including quantum computing, organic electronics, superconductivity, the physics of the Earth's deep interior, biomagnetism, nanoscale imaging, etc.

Thanks to the CMMP group's broad range of interests we are able to offer projects catering to almost any taste, from working on problems of fundamental importance to technology development and transfer, in a friendly and supportive environment. At present we take in approximately 12 Ph.D. students every year, funded through a variety of sources.

To find out more please send an e-mail to Dr Jochen Blumberger for theory/modelling projects or Prof Steve Bramwell for experimental projects.

To apply complete an ONLINE application form and email a copy of your application to the CMMP group Administrator specifying :

• The date you submitted your application
• Which research program you have applied for

If you are not able to complete an online application, download the pdf application and post it directly to:

Claire Jordan
CMMP Administrator
Dept. Physics & Astronomy
UCL
Gower Street
London WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom

Entry Requirements:
The normal minimum requirement for admission is a 2.1 M.Sci., or equivalent.

• UK citizens are eligible for an EPSRC Doctoral Training Account award which covers tuition fee and a maintenance allowance.
• UCL also has a number of EPSRC funded Collaborative Training Account (CTA) awards which are awarded in association with an external partner.
• EU citizens who did their degree at a UK university are also eligible for DTA and CTA awards.
• UK and EU citizens are eligible for project studentships associated with specific funded EPSRC projects.
• Overseas (but not EU) students are not eligible for any EPSRC awards and must find independent funding to cover fees at the appropriate rate and their maintenance costs. The principal funding opportunity for fees is a UCL-ORS award, which will pay all the tuition fees.

For more information on EPSRC funding eligibility criteria, go to: ESPRC - Eligibility
Funding available to overseas students can be found at: UCL Funding for Overseas Research Students

• University of London Union, giving info about a range of facilities and services of interest to graduate students, including accommodation and
  transport in London.
• The UCL students Union
• The UCL graduate school
• UCL Postgraduate Prospectus. This also includes helpful info about accommodation.
• TimeOut: Information about what's on in London.