|
|
The Quantum ordering group is offering a 3 year PhD studentship position in the field of crystal growth and measurement of transition metal oxide systems. The group has recently been awarded a £300k grant entitled “Strongly correlated electron physics in novel materials” from the EPSRC council (RSP is the lead PI) to set up a state-of-the-art correlated electron crystal growth laboratory at Edinburgh Physics department. Background Solid state science aims to study the properties of the
material world that we inhabit and thus underpins all of the technological
advancement that we have come to enjoy over the past one hundred years or
so. As such, it is necessarily
trans-disciplinary with physics, chemistry and material science all playing
an important role. Traditionally,
physicists in condensed matter have specialized in the measurement science
aspect of the research; that is, developing and running ever-more
sophisticated probes of matter to understand its properties. Examples include neutron scattering, X-ray
synchrotron analysis and scanning tunneling microscopes, to name but a
few. However, over the past twenty
years there has been a paradigm shift in our approach to condensed matter
physics; physicists have come to realize that the material that one studies
is as important as the tool you use to study it. A new breed of physicist has emerged – the
Materials Physicist. Many of the
properties of matter that are of interest to physicists, for example
unconventional superconductivity and quantum magnetism only occur in very
specialized materials and often only at low temperatures. The material requirements for this physics
are of the highest order: large, high purity single crystals are mandatory to
achieve the high-impact science that
our group has an international reputation for. We regularly publish in high profile
journals including Physical Review Letters, Science and Nature and are
looking for a candidate with similar ambitions. Work and
Opportunities The project
involves a rare opportunity to follow a solid state physics research
investigation from material design and production through to characterization
and measurement. The group has newly
installed crystal growth equipment including an Infrared
Image furnace capable of reaching temperatures up to 3000oC across an
oxygen pressure range of 20 orders of magnitude available for the candidate
to use. Edinburgh physics department
and the Centre for Science at Extreme
Conditions (CSEC) are fully equipment with characterization and
measurement equipment. The
experimental measurement aspect of the project will provide the chance to
work with the world leading high-pressure scientists in CSEC to study the
evolution of the material properties under pressure. The group also has extensive global
collaborative links including Kyoto
and Tokyo, Japan, Stanford, US, and ILL, France with the opportunity for travel to
these locations to pursue further experimental studies. We also have strong links with other physics
departments in Scotland via the SUPA
network. Job details We are looking for
a highly motivated, ambitious individual with at least 2:1 university degree
in Physics or Chemistry. The start
date is 1st April 2008, although this is flexible. The project will last 3 years with a yearly
stipend of £12.6k. Please send inquiry
emails with CV to Robin.Perry@ed.ac.uk
or ahuxley@ph.ed.ac.uk (Prof.
Andrew Huxley). The position is open
to EU citizens only.
|
