Digital and Flow Materials Chemistry for Metal-Organic Frameworks Production

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted extensive interest from academia and industry owing to their exceptional porosity and structural and functional diversity. MOFs present huge potential for addressing key global issues in healthcare (drug delivery, diagnostics), energy and mitigation of pollution (e.g. CO2 valorisation). However, current methods for discovering and optimising MOFs rely on trial-and-error, are poorly reproducible and scale-up takes many years/is not possible as conditions optimised in batch are not readily translatable to scaled up processing. We have identified that microwave heating and flow chemistry are able to provide distinct processing advantages in the synthesis of MOFs owing to selective heating [1-5]. Building on our existing work [1,5], this project aims to develop automated continuous flow microwave platforms integrated with inline and online analyses to enable rapid collection of process relevant data for scalable and reliable MOF synthesis. The resultant MOFs will be fully characterised using a range of analytical techniques including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, IR and UV-vis spectroscopies, and gas sorption. <br /> This project combines reactor design, synthetic materials chemistry and characterisation. You will gain skills in microwave reactor development, programming and algorithm development, automation and online analytics. This project would be ideal for an ambitious and innovative researcher who enjoys working in a diverse and interdisciplinary team and is excited to learn new skills.

<p><strong>Benefits and facilities:</strong><br /> This is an exciting opportunity to join the Insitute of Process Research and Development, a group comprising >65 scientists and engineers with world-leading expertise in closed-loop manufacturing processes, machine-learning and online analytics. The group has a research portfolio of over £11M and strong track record of publications, patents, spin out technologies and working with industry. The work of the group is underpinned by state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge facilities worth >£100M in the Bragg Centre for Materials Research. This studentship will be supported by Dr Andrea Laybourn’s UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship. There will also be opportunities for working with our collaborators at Diamond Light Source, the UK Facility for Analysis of Crystallisation in Flow Systems in Leeds, and industrial partners. Research will be conducted under the supervision of <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/institute-process-research-development/staff/16055/dr-andrea-laybourn">Dr. Andrea Laybourn</a> and <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/chemistry-process-research-development/staff/4206/prof-richard-bourne">Prof. Richard Bourne</a> in the School of Chemistry and Institute of Process Research and Development, University of Leeds, UK. </p> <p><strong>References:</strong><br /> 1.    Laybourn et al. Chem. Eng. J., DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2018.09.011">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2018.09.011</a><br /> 2.    Woodliffe et al. Mater. Adv., DOI: <a href="http://10.1039/D3MA00351E">10.1039/D3MA00351E</a><br /> 3.    Thomas-Hillman et al. Green Chem., DOI: <a href="http://10.1039/C9GC02375E">10.1039/C9GC02375E</a> <br /> 4.    Laybourn et al. PCCP, DOI: <a href="http://10.1039/C5CP05426E ">10.1039/C5CP05426E </a><br /> 5.    Laybourn et al. J. Mater. Chem. A <a href="http://10.1039/C7TA01493G">10.1039/C7TA01493G</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 <strong>PhD Chemistry</strong> and in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>Digital and Flow Materials Chemistry for Metal-Organic Frameworks Production</strong> as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/institute-process-research-development/staff/16055/dr-andrea-laybourn"><strong>Dr Andrea Laybourn</strong></a> as your proposed supervisor. Please state clearly in the Finance Section that the funding source you are applying for is <em><strong>School of Chemistry Studentship (UKRI FLF).</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Friday 30 May 2025:</strong></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> <p>The ideal candidate will have a degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or related discipline.</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>

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>A highly competitive School of Chemistry Studentship, in support of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship Grant, providing the award of full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate of £20,780 per year for 3.5 years. </p> <p>You will be responsible for paying the overtime fee in full in your writing up/overtime year (£340 in Session 2025/26), but the scholarship maintenance allowance will continue to be paid for up to 6 months in the final year of award.</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 Andrea Laybourn by email to <a href="mailto:EMAIL@leeds.ac.uk">A.Laybourn@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> <p> </p>