High performance liquid crystals and liquid crystal polymers for organic electronics devices

Organic electronics offer numerous advantages and capabilities for the next generation of electronic devices. Devices integrated with organic electronic components span a wide range of fields including security gadgets, environmental health, biomedical research, information technology and so on. The successful use of organic materials as electrical conductors, in light emitting diodes, field effect transistors, photorefractive devices and photovoltaic cells require high performing organic semiconducting materials. This project focuses on using liquid crystals and liquid crystal polymers to address some of the challenges in material performance and device fabrication in organic electronic devices. It makes use of the ability of liquid crystals to spontaneously self-assemble into one and two dimensional nanostructures to optimise their performance. The project will be mainly experimental in nature and involves device fabrication, material optimisation and characterisation. <br />

<p>The project will take place in the Soft Matter Physics group in the School of Physics and Astronomy at Uni. Leeds. Within the group, we have a variety of activities across soft matter. We work with world-leading chemists, engineers and theoreticians and our research is truly interdisciplinary. During the course of the PhD project a variety of experimental and device fabrication techniques will be employed offering an excellent practical training to the PhD student. Data analysis and computer modelling will be employed both to understand the systems and predict behaviour and performance. The student will obtain a thorough training in soft matter characterisation techniques, electronics, modelling of functional materials and devices. The research environment offers superb facilities, provides a high quality research training and delivers an exceptional student education. Suitable candidates would have a background in soft matter physics, condensed matter physics, electronics, material physics or engineering, physical chemistry, or a closely related field.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><strong>EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership: 2024/25</strong></p> <p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University&#39;s website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study section that you are applying for&nbsp;<em><strong>EPSRC DTP Engineering &amp; Physical Sciences</strong></em>&nbsp;(if you do not apply to this programme code, your application will not be considered) and in the research information section&nbsp;that the research degree you wish to be considered for is&nbsp;<em><strong>High performance liquid crystals and liquid crystal polymers for organic electronic devices</strong></em>&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/physics/staff/4119/dr-mamatha-nagaraj">Dr Mamatha Nagaraj</a> as your proposed supervisor. Please state in the Finance section that the funding source you are applying for is&nbsp;<em><strong>EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership 2024/25: Physics &amp; Astronomy</strong></em>.</p> <p><strong>All other Scholarships/Self-funding/Externally Sponsored</strong></p> <p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University&#39;s website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study section that you are applying for <em><strong>PHD Physics &amp; Astronomy</strong></em> and in the research information section&nbsp;that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <em><strong>High performance liquid crystals and liquid crystal polymers for organic electronic devices</strong></em>&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/physics/staff/4119/dr-mamatha-nagaraj">Dr Mamatha Nagaraj</a> as your proposed supervisor.&nbsp;Please state in the Finance section the funding source you are applying for, if you are self-funding or are externally sponsored (please include the name of your sponsor).</p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University&#39;s minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis. &nbsp;Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application. &nbsp;We also advise that you apply at the earliest opportunity as the application and selection process may close early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications or that a suitable candidate is appointed.</p> <p>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of 3 April 2024 for Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship, 8 April 2024 for Leeds Doctoral Scholarship and 29 April 2024 for EPSRC DTP:</p> <p>Please note that you must provide the following documents at the point you submit your application:</p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p><strong>UK Only Priority Project</strong></p> <p>A highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership Studentship offering the award of fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant of &pound;19,237 per year for 3.5 years.&nbsp; Training and support will also be provided.</p> <p>This opportunity is open to UK applicants only.&nbsp; All candidates will be placed into the EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership Studentship Competition and selection is based on academic merit.</p> <p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/209-leeds-doctoral-scholarships-2022">Leeds Doctoral Scholarships</a> and <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/234-leeds-opportunity-research-scholarship-2022">Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship</a> are available to UK applicants. The&nbsp;<a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/102-bell-burnell-scholarship-award-awarded-by-the-iop">Bell Burnell Scholarship Award</a>&nbsp;is available to support applicants who are from groups that are currently under-represented in physics (now closed for 2024/25 entry).&nbsp; <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds.</p> <p>Please refer to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a>&nbsp;website for&nbsp;information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:12px"><strong>Self-Funded or externally sponsored students are welcome to apply.</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>For further information about this project, please contact Dr Mamatha Nagaraj by email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:m.nagaraj@leeds.ac.uk">m.nagaraj@leeds.ac.uk</a><br /> For further information about your application, please contact Doctoral College Admissions by email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:maps.pgr.admissions@leeds.ac.uk">maps.pgr.admissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>