PhD Opportunity in Flow Crystallisation With In Situ X-Ray Diffraction

We are pleased to announce a PhD opportunity in flow crystallisation with in situ X-Ray diffraction. This multi-disciplinary PhD will combine reactor design, crystallisation, crystal engineering and data science. You’ll be joining a group of students developing a variety of flow apparatus for tailored needs. 

At Diamond Light Source, the UK's national synchrotron, we have developed world leading in situ flow crystallisation apparatus which enables us to monitor what we are crystallising as it is crystallising. By coordinating the flow of crystals within the crystalliser tubing with the movement of the whole crystalliser as the crystals pass the X-Ray beam, we can maximise the data which can be obtained from this dynamic environment. However, there are still great challenges to be overcome. 

Engineering challenges: Improve the robustness of the crystalliser towards blockages; Develop high-throughput delivery of compositional elements and optimise high-throughput environmental control. 

Materials / crystal engineering challenges: Simultaneously explore crystal structure and shape of pure and co-crystals of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical model compounds. 

Data Science challenges: Automated data solution of XRD with metadata for streamlined integration into growing international crystallisation database on crystallisation screening. 

The successful student will be based primarily at Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science Campus, Oxfordshire but will also spend time at the University of Nottingham. 

If you have a background in chemistry, materials, engineering and/or data science and are interested in this multi-disciplinary PhD opportunity please get in contact with Dr Karen Robertson (Karen.Robertson@nottingham.ac.uk) and Dr Sarah Day (sarah.day@diamond.ac.uk) for more details.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The Faculty of Engineering provides a thriving working environment for all PGRs creating a strong sense of community across research disciplines. Community and research culture is important to our PGRs and the FoE support this by working closely with our Postgraduate Research Society (PGES) and our PGR Research Group Reps to enhance the research environment for PGRs. PGRs benefit from training through the Researcher Academy’s Training Programme, those based within the Faculty of Engineering have access to bespoke courses developed for Engineering PGRs. including sessions on paper writing, networking and career development after the PhD. The Faculty has outstanding facilities and works in partnership with leading industrial partners. 

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