Deadline for applications: 10 June 2024, Starting date: September 2024
The Ph.D. project is part of the EU Doctoral Network “CoCoGel”, which aims to provide integrated training for young researchers in the field of Soft Matter and related Industrial Applications. The network involves leading experts in six academic and six industrial nodes and pertains to state-of-the-art expertise in experimental techniques, computer simulations, and industrial systems. The project is focused on colloidal gels that are core components in many industrial products, including building materials (e.g., cement), energy materials (e.g., batteries and fuel cells), consumer care and food products, and medicine. Recent advances in colloidal-gel physics strongly imply that the rational design of colloidal-gel properties is within reach. This design is based on tuning gel microstructure via external stimuli, such as shear, ultrasound, and (magnetic/electric) fields, and the addition of non-Brownian inclusions. CoCoGel aims to enable the translation from the current academic state of the art to industrial practice.
Within the MSCA doctoral network “CoCoGel,” a Ph.D. position is available at the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with Unilever (UK) and CNRS / ENS de Lyon to experimentally investigate the rheology and microstructure of filled colloidal gels relevant for personal care applications. This project will develop model systems which mimic the key features of these industrial products and map their state behaviour using an arrary of characterisation methods (eg rheology/rheo-confocal imaging, cryo-SEM). Varying the fluid and particle properties, this work will build a framework for understanding more complex industrial formulations. An 18 month secondment at Unilever (UK) will provide the opportunity to work with high-throughput preparation and characterisation platforms to help translate academic work to industrial practice. An additional academic secondment in CNRS/ENS de Lyon (France) offers the opportunity to explore how ultrasound can alter/control these filled gels.
Advisor: John Royer (University of Edinburgh)
Co-advisors: Elizabeth Jamie (Unilever) & Thomas Gibaud (CNRS / ENS de Lyon)
Main location: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, UK
The candidate should hold a Master’s degree in Physics, Materials Science or a related field. Experience in soft matter science, particularly with rheology and microscopy, will be a good asset. The candidate should not have resided in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months preceding recruitment
Dates & remuneration – 3 years starting September 2024. Gross salary: £33,195 – £42,773 per annum (depending if opts in/out of USS), along with a £5,359 per annum Mobility Allowance and £5,984 per annum Family Allowance (if applicable)
How to apply – Applications must be submitted through https://elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/10228 and include a resume and a motivation letter. Please contact john.royer@ed.ac.uk if you need more information. Applicants should also send their application/CV to the Project manager (cocogel@iesl.forth.gr)
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