Applications are invited for a Queen Mary – CONACYT (Mexico) joint PhD scholarship starting in September 2016 to work in the groups of Dr Rachel Crespo-Otero and Dr. Matteo Palma in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, School of Biological & Chemical Sciences at Queen Mary University of London.(The deadline for applications is: 30^th of March 2016)

The controlled self-assembly of functional nanostructures is of great interest in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. In particular,there is a need for simple strategies for the production of single-molecule optoelectronic devices. In this context, self-assembly strategies can allow us to control the organization of nanostructures of interest for nanoelectronics and renewable energy applications. A theoretical understanding of self-assembly mechanisms at atomic level is very important in the design and rationalization of these processes.

We are looking for a highly motivated student to support their application for a CONACYT fellowship at Queen Mary University of London, under the supervision of Dr. Rachel Crespo-Otero (https://crespootero.wordpress.com) andDr. Matteo Palma (http://webspace.qmul.ac.uk/mpalma/Home.html). The PhD project will focus on the modelling of nanostructures self-assembly, electron transport and excited states. This theoretical approach will be corroborated by experimental investigations separately conducted in the Palma laboratory in the context of a different but complementary studentship.

Applications are invited from Mexican Citizens with a BSc and a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Material Science, Physics, Engineering (or similar) from a top university anywhere in the world. Students are required to provide evidence of their proficiency in English language skills. A background in computational chemistry, physics and/or materials science is desirable.If you want to know more about the project, please contact Dr. Rachel Crespo-Otero (r.crespo-otero@qmul.ac.uk). More information about the application process can be found at:

http://www.sbcs.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/studentships/145751.html.

References

1.) Zhu, J.; McMorrow, J.; Crespo-Otero, R.; Ao, G.; Zheng, M.; Gillin, W. P.; Palma, M.. Solution-processable carbon nanoelectrodes for single-molecule investigations. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 2905.

2.) Rotkin, S. V.; Snyder, S. E., Theory of Electronic and Optical Properties of DNA–SWNT Hybrids. In Carbon Nanotubes and Related Structures, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co.: 2010; pp 23-51.