EPSRC Industrial CASE PhD Studentship 2013

PhD in Chemistry

Research area: Physical and Materials Chemistry, Formulation Science 

Supervisors: Dr. Vesselin N. Paunov (PI) and Dr Tommy S. Horozov (Co-PI) 

EPSRC funded Industrial CASE PhD studentship for 3.5 years is available to work on the development of novel methods for introducing porosity in a range of materials and products. Materials with engineered porosity have applications in structuring of food products, pharmaceuticals and household formulations. The project will involve a variety of templating techniques and porogenic agents to produce hierarchically porous materials with more than one level of porosity. The student will be involved in the preparation of hierarchal porous materials and will study the link between the material microstructure and porosity and several target properties. Potential applications of these techniques for introducing porosity in selected consumer products will be done in collaboration with a large multinational company. 

This research project will be carried out at the Surfactant and Colloid Group at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Hull and will offer an exciting opportunity to achieve a PhD and expertise which is very highly sought after by potential employers. The successful PhD applicant will receive a high level of training which, in addition to learning about specific techniques, attending seminar programmes etc, includes the opportunity to work closely with the R&D of a major company and participation in international conferences. The production of written reports alongside regular meetings with the academic supervisors will be required to assess the progress of the project. PhD students at the University of Hull follow modules for research and transferable skills development and gain a Masters level Certificate, or Diploma, in Research Training, in addition to their research degree.

The student stipend will be up to £17,776 per annum (tax free, subject to confirmation) plus the tuition fees and additional laboratory demonstrating income.

Studentship will start in September 2013. 

Applicants for this position should have a BSc or MChem degree (1^st or 2.1) in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with specialisation in one or more of the following areas: physical chemistry and materials chemistry. Good background and experimental skills in colloid and surface science and formulation science would be beneficial. The applicant should be enthusiastic, with good interpersonal and communication skills. 

All applications must to be sent directly by email or by post to:

Dr. Vesselin Paunov, Surfactant & Colloid Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK. Email: V.N.Paunov@hull.ac.uk 

Closing date for applications: 5^th June 2013

Interview with shortlisted applicants will be held: 17-19 June 2013 

Applications should be in the following format:

• Cover letter outlining your suitability for the study, what you hope to achieve from the PhD and your research experience to date.
•  Curriculum Vitae.
• The contact details of 2 referees.
• Completed University of Hull PhD application form.^* 

^*http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/PDF/admissions_Postgrad%20Application_jan2013.pdf 

Important information: The funding for this studentship is from a UK Research Council therefore applicant eligibility criteria apply. Please check the EPSRC web-page for more details on student eligibility for this funding before you send your application:

http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/Pages/eligibility.aspx