Representative Electron Microscopy through Limiting Damage

Electron microscopy is used in the examination of a broad range of materials, allowing important determination of structure-property relationships. Depending upon instrumentation, imaging can be possible from the micro to atomic scale, and various spectroscopic methods can be used to probe nanoscale chemistry. However, in all cases the electron beam interacts with the sample, and consequently may change the sample. This is particularly critical in the analysis of complex chemical products, which may be either sensitive to the electron beam or have a liquid component.<br /> <br /> This PhD project will focus on the development of new approaches to electron microscopy in materials science and engineering aiming to limit damage to samples and consequently lead to more representative data gathered and information determined. The world leading equipment in the Leeds Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy centre within the Bragg Centre for Materials will be used, including scanning electron microscopes (SEM), focused ion beam (FIB) SEMs, and transmission electron microscopes (TEM). The successful student will be trained to operate these state-of-the-art electron microscopes.<br /> <br /> To representatively examine complex chemical products, several routes will be explored. Through examining electron beam sensitive materials, such as pharmaceutical formulations, the damage in both SEM and TEM will be monitored with approaches to mitigate this developed. Routes to high resolution analysis of soft matter (such as Pickering emulsions) will be developed through a workflow from cryo-FIB-SEM to cryo-analytical (S)TEM. There will be careful examination of the impact of sample preparation and development of automated routes for data analysis, which, when combined with the experimental approaches will lead to representative electron microscopy where damage is limited.<br />

<p>This PhD project will utilise the world leading equipment of the <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/dir-record/facilities/3865/leeds-electron-microscopy-and-spectroscopy-centre">Leeds Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy</a> facility.<br />  </p> <p>The successful student will join our electron microscopy group, which has expertise in the <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsta.2019.0601">analysis of complex, beam-sensitive materials by TEM and associated techniques</a>. We have interests in characterising materials with applications in areas such as <a href="https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(23)04166-X">polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery</a>, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11051-023-05769-4">chemical consumer products</a>, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021979722013868">Pickering emulsions</a> and <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c00918">amorphous solid dispersio</a><a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c00918">ns</a>.</p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study section that you are applying for <em><strong>EPSRC DTP Engineering & Physical Sciences</strong></em> and in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <em><strong>Representative Electron Microscopy through Limiting Damage</strong></em> as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/chemical-engineering/staff/428/dr-nicole-hondow">Dr Nicole Hondow</a> as your proposed supervisor. <em><strong>Please state clearly in the Finance Section that the funding source you are applying for is EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2025/26:  Chemical & Process Engineering.</strong></em></p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University'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>Applications will be considered after the closing date.  Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application. 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 Friday 28 February 2025:</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 class="MsoNoSpacing">A highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award providing full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (£19,237 in academic session 2024/25) for 3.5 years.  Training and support will also be provided.</p> <p>This opportunity is open to all applicants.  All candidates will be placed into the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award Competition and selection is based on academic merit.</p> <p><em><strong>Important:</strong></em> Please note that that the award does <em><strong>not</strong></em> cover the costs associated with moving to the UK.  All such costs (<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-visas-immigration/doc/applying-student-visa">visa, Immigration Health Surcharge</a>, flights etc) would have to be met by yourself, or you will need to find an alternative funding source. </p> <p>Please refer to the <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p>

<p>For further information about this project, please contact Dr Nicole Hondow by email to <a href="mailto:a.e.bayly@leeds.ac.uk">n.hondow@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p>