PhD studentship  (Full-time)

Institution     Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Department      Department of Chemistry

Supervisors     PhD supervisor: Dr. Li Yang (Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University)
Co-supervisor: Prof. Richard Nichols (University of Liverpool);
Prof. CeZhou Zhao (Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University)

Application Deadline    Open until the position is filled

Funding Availability    Funded PhD project (world-wide students)

Project Title   Use of novel substrates for single molecule conductance measurement

Requirements:
Suitable candidates should be self-motivated and have a strong physical chemistry, materials chemistry and condensed matter physics background. Applicants with a BSc qualification equivalent to first class or Upper second class honour degree or an MSc degree in chemistry, surface physics or related disciplines are welcomed. Evidence of good spoken and written English is essential. The candidate should have IELTS score of 6.5 and above, or the equivalent qualification, if the first language is not English. Supervision as well as resulting publications and thesis will be in English. This position is open to all qualified students irrespective of nationality. Background in analytical chemistry, surface physics, single molecule electronics and/or experience with using scanning tunneling microscope (STM) will be advantageous.

Degree:
The student will be awarded a PhD degree from the University of Liverpool upon successful completion of the program and submission of a doctoral thesis.
Funding:
The PhD studentship is available for three years subject to satisfactory progression and performance by the student. The award covers tuition fees for three years (equivalent to RMB 60,000 per annum) and also provides a monthly stipend of 3000 RMB, conditional upon undertaking a teaching assistant role at XJTLU. Funds are also available for attending the international conferences. The student is expected to carry out the major part of the research at XJTLU (Suzhou, China). However, the student will also have the opportunity to carry out part of the research work at University of Liverpool (UK).

Project Description:
Incorporation of single molecules or groups of molecules into electronic devices holds great promise for decreasing the size and increasing the packing-density of emerging nano-electronic systems. Electronic components at the molecular level as well as taking advantage of their small size, could utilize their electronic properties and structural diversity to increase device density and enhance device functionality beyond present limits. To develop this promising field of molecular electronics leading edge measurements are needed into the electronic properties of single molecules with electrical junctions and model devices. To date most single molecule electronics measurements have focused on the use of gold contacts. However, it is now important that single molecule electronics research addresses the challenge of other contact materials which will have impact in the eventual implementation of molecular electronics. In this respect gold has a number of drawbacks; including it!
 s non-compatibility with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technologies, its mobility and also expense. Replacing gold electrodes in the proposed study is aimed towards providing cost effective and industrially scalable materials for integrated single molecule electronics beyond the current limits of miniaturization. The aim of this project is to develop the use of novel substrates for single molecule electronic devices. Many challenges will be addressed in this project, including the development of substrates and STM methods for single molecule measurements suited to these substrates, the evaluation of appropriate terminal chemical group for binding to these substrates, achieving reproducible contacts and stable junctions and measuring temperature-dependent conductance and electrochemical properties for these new device configurations.

How to Apply
Interested applicants are advised to email the following documents to postgraduate@xjtlu.edu.cn.

•       CV
•       Two reference letters
•       Personal statement outlining your interest in the position
•       Proof of English language proficiency (an IELTS score of above 6.5 or comparable) is required
•       Verified school transcripts in both Chinese and English (for international student, only the English version is required)
•       Verified certificates of education qualifications in both Chinese and English (for international student, only the English version is required)

We will acknowledge all applications by email. Should you have any questions or queries regarding your application, please feel free to contact us.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr. Li Yang (li.yang@xjtlu.edu.cn), whose personal profile is linked below,
http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/faculty/academic-subject-staff/item/934-dr-li-yang.html