PhD School of Chemistry – Broadband Rotational Spectroscopy

Postgraduate Opportunities

Newcastle University

Reference code: CY028
Closing date: 1 July 2016
Supervisors: Dr Nicholas R Walker
Sponsor: European Research Council (ERC) and School Studentship
Start date & duration of the award: 26 September 2016 for 3 years
Person Specification
To qualify, you must have a real passion for research and have, or expect to receive, a good Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in one of the following subjects:
● Chemistry
● Chemical Engineering
● Physics
Creativity and problem solving skills are a must.
This award is available to UK/EU and non-EU international applicants.
If English is not your first language, you must have IELTS 6.0, or equivalent.
Project Description
A PhD position is available in the School of Chemistry in the group of Dr Nicholas R Walker. The successful applicant will use broadband microwave and infrared spectroscopy to precisely characterise aspects of molecular structure that are fundamental in catalysis and biochemistry.
Microwave spectroscopy is used for the exploration of molecular and electronic structure in gas phase molecules. It also facilitates the identification of molecules in interstellar and circumstellar environments as necessary for the study of astrochemistry. The Newcastle group maintains and operates a broadband microwave spectrometer with globally-unique capabilities. The spectrometer allows experiments to be performed at high resolution, high bandwidth and with minimal or no cost to sensitivity.
The student will receive advanced training in scientific instrument configuration and design, spectroscopic analysis and ab initio methods. Collaboration with other researchers in Newcastle, the U.S., Canada and/or Europe is also expected. This studentship is supported by the School of Chemistry and by a European Starting Investigator Award from the European Research Council.
For more information please click here.

Funding information

Funding applies to:

Open to applicants from a range of countries

Funding notes:

100% tuition fees at the UK/EU rate and an annual stipend at RCUK rate (£14,057 2015/16). Successful non-EU international students will be required to make up the difference between the UK/EU fees and international fees.

Contacts and how to apply

Academic contact:

For further details, please email Dr Walker: Nick.Walker@ncl.ac.uk

Administrative contact and how to apply:

The candidate must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application form. Only mandatory fields need to be completed however, you will need to include the following information:
● insert the programme code: 8100F in the programme of study section
● select ‘PhD School of Chemistry - Chemistry (full time)’ as the programme of study
● insert the studentship code CY028 in the studentship/partnership reference field
● attach a covering letter, CV and (if English is not your first language) a copy of your English language qualifications. The covering letter must state the title and code of the studentship, and state how your interests and experience relate to the project. No personal statement is required.

Application deadline:

1 July 2016