Soft Matter Physics PhD Projects
The soft matter physics group conducts research (both experimental and theoretical) into the physics and applications of polymers, organic-semiconductors, functional nano-particles, biological materials, imaging and instrumentation.
For more information about us and our research please see our group website
Below are some specific projects but more projects may be available so please contact one of us if you are interested (see our webpage for contact details of academic staff).
Funded PhD projects
Structure of Optoelectronic Devices
This Ph.D. position is to use techniques such as neutron reflectometry, x-ray diffraction, spectroscopy ellipsometry and AFM to probe the way the conformation and dynamics of polymer molecules are altered by their proximity to surfaces and interfaces in thin films of the kind that are used in semiconducting polymer devices, exploring in more detail, for example, recent evidence from our group that an interface can stabilize a second amorphous phase in the polymer PCDTBT causing anomalies in the glass transition temperature of the film. Film formation processes will also be considered through the use of in situ light scattering during spin coating. Through collaboration with D Lidzey’s group we will study how these effects influence device performance.
The successful candidate for this position will hold a good relevant undergraduate (first, upper second or equivalent) or Masters degree (Physics, Materials Science, or Chemistry are certainly acceptable).
UK Nationals only may apply. European nationals who have been living in the UK for an extended period (several years) may also be considered.
The position is funded for 3.5 years and includes a stipend of £13726.
The project is supervised by Professor Richard Jones FRS and is in collaboration with Professors Mark Geoghegan and David Lidzey. For further information, please contact mark.geoghegan@sheffield.ac.uk
Applicants should apply using the online system: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply
Shine centre studentship: Understanding leaf shape to optimize photosynthesis
Supervisor: Dr Rhoda Hawkins
Email: rhoda.hawkins@sheffield.ac.uk
A fully funded scholarship is available (for EU nationals only) from the faculty of science's Shine Centre for Doctoral Training. The project, "From model to morphology: understanding leaf shape to optimize photosynthesis", will be jointly supervised by Andrew Fleming (Animal & Plant Sciences), Nick Monk (Mathematics) and Rhoda Hawkins (Physics).
Further information can be found here (PDF). Please contact Rhoda Hawkins at rhoda.hawkins@sheffield.ac.uk for more details.
Applicants should apply to the University using the online application system: www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply
Shine centre studentship: Tip enhanced microscopy - High resolution imaging of soft matter
Supervisor: Dr Ashley Cadby
Email: a.cadby@sheffield.ac.uk
Many different microscopies have been developed to obtain resolutions below the diffraction limit. However, many of these techniques only work with very specific sample type. Tip based microscopy covers a range of techniques which can be used to study a variety of systems ranging from polymer photovoltaics to biological structures at resolutions approaching 10 nm.
Using the systems developed at Sheffield you will study a wide range of systems including light harvesting proteins which have been patterned in to nano-wires and polymer blends for organic photovoltaics. The project will allow you to choose between technique development and application of the technique in order to solve some of the fundamental problems in soft matter physics.
Applicants should apply to the University using the online application system: www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply
PhD projects without guaranteed funding
The following projects might not have funding or maybe awaiting confirmation of funding. Please discuss funding options with the named supervisor.
Energy transfer in direct reconfigurable nano-machines
Supervisor: Dr Ashley Cadby
Email: a.cadby@sheffield.ac.uk
The grand challenge in nanotechnology is to create molecular machines, capable of being fuelled by energy sources and able to carry out tasks with nanometer scale precision. In this project you will be working within a collaboration to develop a reconfigurable molecular machine. Using various nano-scale measurement techniques such as scanning near field optical microscopy (SNOM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) you will be studying energy transfer within in the molecular machine. The understanding of energy transfer achieved will allow the control of power within the machine. This is a challenging problem with the study of the fundamental optical and electronic properties of novel materials at the heart of the project. The project will also require you to be able to interact with researchers in many different academic disciplines.
Incorporation of bio-components in to opto-electronic devices made from soft matter semiconductors
Supervisor: Dr Ashley Cadby
Email: a.cadby@sheffield.ac.uk
Bacteria based on protein light harvesting complexes absorb light with high efficiency and then produce separated charges. Utilizing the efficiency of naturally occurring materials in optical devices is an exciting goal, however bacteria have evolved to work in a biological environment [lipid membrane] and as such cannot be easily incorporated in to standard solid-state technology. One possible solution to this problem is to combine reduced biological systems as the active materials within synthetic organic semiconductor systems. Here the organic semiconductor would aid collection and transport of charges and would hopefully endow a protective capability on the biological material. You will study energy transfer between organic and biological systems with the aim of developing viable electronic and optical interfaces between the two systems. You will study energy transfer from conjugated polymers to common and easily available biological systems such as Purple photosynthetic bacteria. The interface between soft matter and life science is a highly critical area of research and a key output of this project will be a detailed understanding of the morphology of the bacteria within the polymer matrix and how this affects the efficiency energy transfer.
Other potential projects
Other projects may be available with one of the following supervisors so please contact one of us (see below) if you are interested.