Applications are invited for a PhD position with Dr Dwaipayan Chakrabarti in the School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham on a project to study self-assembly of nanoparticles and colloids using computer simulations.

Self-assembly of nanoparticles and colloidal building blocks has enormous potential as a means of structure fabrication because of the scope for tuning their interactions under laboratory conditions. The recent increase in availability of an exotic variety of nanoparticles and colloidal building blocks, different in shape, composition, pattern, and functionality, has provided a great boost to this bottom-up strategy. However, design rules for engineering their assembly into target structures are rather limited. The challenge is to encode the target structure into the building blocks. The project seeks rational design of nanoparticles and colloidal building blocks for programmed assembly into functional structures. To this end the successful candidate will develop, adapt, and apply computational methods. A key element of the computational approach will be to map and analyse the underlying potential and free energy landscapes for the system of interest in close connection with contemporary experimental research.

Applicants must have a Masters in chemistry or physics or in a related discipline at the upper second class level, the normal requirement being at least 65% overall degree mark. A background in computer simulations with programming experience will be advantageous, but not essential. For further details and informal inquiry please contact Dr D. Chakrabarti at d.chakrabarti@bham.ac.uk and visit
http://www.stchem.bham.ac.uk/~dchakrabarti/.

Formal applications should be made online at https://pga.bham.ac.uk/lpages/EPS006.htm.

For general information on PhD programme in Chemistry at the University of Birmingham, please visit
http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/courses/postgraduate/research/chemistry/chemistry-phd.aspx.

Applications will be evaluated on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. The starting date is tentatively January, 2014.