Liquid crystals for augmented reality and virtual reality applications

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Fluid Dynamics is now recruiting to this fantastic PhD opportunity in partnership with Merck Electronics.<br /> <br /> As a student on the CDT you will participate in a four-year programme that combines an integrated MSc (completed over the first two years) paired with a three-year PhD-level research programme. This gives you a combination of bespoke taught modules and inter-disciplinary research training.<br /> <br /> You will be part of a supportive cohort of research students with different academic backgrounds, all focusing on different aspects of Fluid Dynamics. During the taught aspects of your course, you will receive a range of tailored seminars, lectures and practical laboratories to cover the computational, experimental and analytical aspects of Fluid Dynamics. This provides you with a strong background to the fundamentals of Fluid Dynamics. In addition, you will have access to a wide range of personal development activities.

<p>Please visit the <strong><a href="https://fluid-dynamics.leeds.ac.uk/">EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Fluid Dynamics</a></strong> website to find out more about the programme.</p> <p><strong>The PhD project:  Liquid crystals for augmented reality and virtual reality applications</strong></p> <p>Liquid crystals are a remarkable class of soft materials that combine properties of conventional crystals and liquids. They are sensitive to their interaction with contacting surfaces, temperature, electric and magnetic field making these materials invaluable for display devices and as optical components in electronics and communication technologies.</p> <p>Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies have potential to revolutionize the ways we perceive and interact with digital information. However, achieving satisfying user experience ensured by high quality optics requires tuneable materials such as liquid crystals and extremely accurate fabrication processes for AR/VR devices. There are challenges in using liquid crystal based devices for AR VR including overcoming chromatic aberration and optical losses and achieving the right set of optical properties such as refractive index and birefringence.</p> <p>This project will seek to address some of the technological challenges and significantly enhance our understanding of materials and devices required for AR/VR. It will focus on developing novel materials and characterising the interplay between materials and devices. The project is a collaboration with Merck Electronics, a global manufacturer of liquid crystals for display technologies.</p>

<p>All student are recruited to the CDT via two options:</p> <p>1) Recruitment to industry specific research areas <strong>(closing date: 11 April 2025)</strong>, or</p> <p>2) Research project chosen in semester 2 rather than at recruitment stage<strong> (closing date: 11 April 2025)</strong>.</p> <p>To apply online, please complete a <a href="https://studentservices.leeds.ac.uk/pls/banprod/bwskalog_uol.P_DispLoginNon" title="External link to www.leeds.ac.uk. Opens in a new browser window">formal application for Integrated PhD study</a></p> <ul> <li>Select <strong>‘Research Postgraduate’</strong> for type of form.</li> <li>Please select <strong>‘EPSRC CDT Fluid Dynamics’</strong> as the course.</li> <li><strong>Start date: 1 October 2025 (Please note: induction activities will take place towards the end of September).</strong></li> <li>If you are applying for a specific project, please add the title of CDT Fluid Dynamics in the Finance Section and the name of the project in the Research Area section of your application form. If you are applying for the programme, please add the title of CDT Fluid Dynamics in both the Finance section and Research Area section of the application form. </li> <li>Please include a completed Fluid Dynamics CDT Personal Statement. <a href="https://fluid-dynamics.leeds.ac.uk/programme/"><strong>Personal Statement Proforma</strong></a> (found in the ‘how to apply’ section) – A Research Proposal is not required.</li> <li>Please include a CV</li> <li>Please include all transcripts and certificates for your degree(s).</li> <li>After you submit your PhD application on-line you may get a message requesting you to send hard copies of your degree transcripts and references in sealed envelopes. Please ignore this. We do not require hard copies of your degree documents at the application stage, we only require these when you arrive in Leeds to register for your programme.</li> <li>References are requested by the Admissions team on your behalf if you are shortlisted for interview. Your referees are emailed a Faculty Reference Form to complete and return by email. If your referees want to provide their reference on headed paper an emailed scan is sufficient for our purpose.</li> </ul> <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>

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" style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:24px">A highly competitive EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Fluid Dynamics studentship in collaboration with Merck Electronics, providing full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate of £20,780 per year for 4 years.  Training and support will also be provided.<br /> <br /> This opportunity is open to all applicants, with a very small number of awards for Non-UK nationals. All candidates will be placed into the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Fluid Dynamics Studentship Competition and selection is based on academic merit.<br /> <br /> Important: Please note that that the award does not 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>If you have any questions directly relating to the project, please contact <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/physics/staff/4119/dr-mamatha-nagaraj">Dr Mamatha Nagaraj</a> by email to <a href="mailto:M.Nagaraj@leeds.ac.uk">M.Nagaraj@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>If you require any further information on the research area, please contact the CDT Programme Support Team by email to <a href="mailto:fluid-dynamics@leeds.ac.uk">fluid-dynamics@leeds.ac.uk</a> or call us on +44 (0)113 343 5449</p> <p>For further information on how to apply, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p>