PhD Research Studentships

Thermoelectric Metal-Organic Frameworks: Design, Synthesis and Assessment

Supervisor:
Apply by:	31 January 2020

Description

Thermoelectric materials are of great practical and scientific interest as they can ‘upcycle’ waste heat into electricity. Porous framework materials, such as the crystalline metal-organic frameworks, in particular have recently been highlighted as desirable candidates for thermoelectric applications as they may couple very low heat conductivity with appreciable electric conductivity.

The project will entail the synthesis of fused aromatic rings with amino and thiol functionalities, and their incorporation into metal-organic frameworks in order to achieve 2D layered materials displaying 1D channelled crystal structures and displaying high electric conductivity with low thermal conductivity. Thermoelectric properties will be tested as part of the project, which in turn will be used to optimise the materials’ composition and structure to obtain superior metal-organic framework-based thermoelectric materials. The project will involve a level of materials’ processing, including but not restricted to the synthesis of the above metal-organic frameworks as thin films. The successful candidate will gain skills and knowledge in a broad range of techniques and scientific areas on account of the interdisciplinary nature of the project, sitting on the interface of chemistry, materials science and physics.

The successful candidate will have first or 2.1 degree (ideally an MSc degree but in exceptional cases BScs will also be considered), a background in (synthetic, physical or inorganic) chemistry, materials science, or (condensed-phase, or applied) physics, with demonstrated experience in having worked in a laboratory (ideally in a wet laboratory), experience with framework materials (ideally metal-organic frameworks) or thermoelectrics is desirable but not essential.

EPSRC Research Studentship Details
To be eligible for a full award (stipend and fees) applicants must have:

settled status in the UK, meaning they have no restrictions on how long they can stay and
been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for 3 years prior to October 2020. This means they must have been normally residing in the UK (apart from temporary or occasional absences and
Not been residing in the UK wholly or mainly for the purpose of full-time education (This does not apply to UK nationals).

(See: https://epsrc.ukri.org/skills/students/help/eligibility/ for more details)

Full Time programme only.
Applicant required to start in September 2020.
The studentship arrangement will cover tuition fees and provide an annual stipend for up to three years (Currently set as £17,009 in 2019/20).
The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or 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 Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).

Supervisor Contact Details
For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Dr Petra Ágota Szilágyi
Tel: 020 7882 7948
E-mail: p.szilagyi@qmul.ac.uk

Application Method
To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Materials Science programme (Full Time) please follow the instructions detailed on the following webpage:

Research degrees in Materials: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/subjects/materials.html

Further Guidance: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/

Please be sure to include a reference to ‘2020 SEMS EPSRC DTP PAS’ to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.

Eligibility

The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or 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 Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).
Candidates are expected to start in (Semester ).
SEMS and Principal-funded studentships: this studentship arrangement covers home tuition fees and provides an annual stipend for up to three years (currently set at the 2023/24 stipend rate of £20,622 pa)
Note that Queen Mary Research Studentships cover home-rated tuition fees only (See: www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/money/feestatus/ for details)
Overseas applicants would be required to meet the difference between home and international tuition fees

Contact

For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact .