Several positions to start as PhD students September 2024 and one postdoctoral position for January 2025

Three fully funded 4 year Ph.D. positions will be funded to the level of €22,000 per annum for a start in August 2024 with a 1st September registration as a PhD student. These positions are open until filled. It is not limited to applications from Irish, EU or UK nationals at present and non-EU applicants will be considered. Details are below.

One postdoctoral research position is available and the details are also listed below. At present enquiries should be addressed by email to me.

Three open PhD positions

Project on Exploiting Novel Covalently Integrated Porphyrin Networks, their Characterisation and their use as Sensors

There are three fully funded 4-year PhD positions in the School of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland to work on a collaborative project in the group of Prof. Cormac McGuinness. The 4 year programme is a structured PhD programme. The funding is at €22,000 per annum as a tax-free stipend in each instance.

Description:

The project will involve the investigation of novel nanostructures and nanomeshes that incorporate functional metal-porphyrin molecules through on-surface synthesis techniques. The experimental investigations will explore the electronic structure of these systems through both in-situ and ex-situ surface science techniques and through advanced x-ray spectroscopic techniques that are available at the synchrotron radiation facilities of Europe. These techniques would include scanning probe microscopies, STM, AFM-Raman, laboratory XPS, optical techniques such as RAS in Dublin and high-resolution core-level XPS, x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS/NEXAFS), ambient-pressure XPS (AP-XPS) as well as angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) at synchrotron beamlines. Our interest is in the electronic structure arising from differing central metals in the porphyrin meshes, the influence this has on the interactions with adsorbates and the potential function of these novel nanostructures as sensors. The investigation of these nanostructure as sensors will require complementary characterisation measurements, both in-situ and ex-situ, as well as necessary integration into device architectures for their I-V response as sensors. Experiments and theoretical approaches will serve to underpin the basic applied research in this area, and the project will work towards developing these materials as new highly-specific molecular electronic sensors. Experimental investigations via advanced x-ray spectroscopic techniques that investigate electronic structure, in-situ on-surface synthesis and chemical interactions are anticipated to occur at facilities such as the MAX-IV Laboratory, Lund University, Sweden (where we collaborate), or at the Diamond Light Source, Oxford, UK and the BESSY II synchrotron, Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin, Germany.
The three PhD students are expected to participate in all aspects of the project but will then specialise in specific areas according to the work packages of the project as a whole.

Applicant:

The successful applicant will have a strong physics, nanoscience or physical chemistry background, they must demonstrate strong interest and self-motivation in the subject and exhibit the ability to think analytically and creatively. Candidates will be expected to take ownership of their aspects of the project. It is essential that the applicant has an enquiring and rigorous approach to research as well as good team-working, observational and communication skills (both presentation and writing skills in English). Previous research experience in contributing within any collaborative interdisciplinary research environment is highly desirable, while experience in functional materials, in scanning probe microscopies, in advanced x-ray spectroscopies or synchrotron-based experiments, in sensor research, or in clean room lithographic techniques though not essential would be highly valued in any applicant. In general, training in appropriate areas will be provided or sought.

The successful applicant will be joining a group of researchers with parallel research projects, and will be primarily based in the School of Physics in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland but will collaborate with researchers from the Senge group in the School of Chemistry, TCD and researchers from the School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University, as well as beamline scientists in MAX-IV and at a number of facilities listed above.

Eligibility:

All candidates whether Irish, EU, UK and non-EU in origin are encouraged to apply. The anticipated start date for the PhD is from 1st September 2024. Applications are welcomed immediately. The positions may be filled as soon as appropriate highly qualified candidates are found. Those able to start on time or without undue delay and/or more highly qualified will be at an advantage as compared to other students. The final deadline for applications is no later than Monday 8th July 2024.

A general minimum requirement for PhD entrants is the applicant must have a Second Class Honours Grade I (a II.1) or higher Bachelors degree, preferably in Physics, Nanoscience, Chemistry or equivalent. Those with a First Class Honours (a I) in their Bachelors degree in these subjects or a higher level Masters degree will be at an advantage as compared to other applicants.

For more information:

Informal enquiries to Prof. McGuinness are encouraged (Cormac.McGuinness@tcd.ie ).
More detailed information can be available upon request.

Applicants should include in their application to Prof. McGuinness

a motivation letter detailing their suitability and interest in the topic,
a detailed Curriculum Vitae
and contact information for 2 academic referees.

Please title your email with the subject line: "PhD application - nanomeshes"

One open postdoctoral position

Postdoctoral position

There is one postdoctoral position available to work on the project described above on exploiting novel covalently integrated porphyrin networks, their characterisation and their use as sensors

This position has a salary starting from €44k per annum with contributions to pension as well. A more complete description is available upon request.

Description:

Project broadly involves starting with new precursor molecules on surfaces, creating novel covalent networks via on-surface synthesis; investigating these by STM, XPS, AFM-Raman; synchrotron-based XPS, NEXAFS, ARPES; as well as AP-XPS. The further emphasis is not only investigating the electronic structure of these but studying their chemical interactions with small volatile organic compounds as ligand attachments. This is with a view to evaluating these novel networks as sensors, and will involve integrating these into devices. Thus the project will also involve cleanroom work, transferring off surfaces, lithography, device fabrication for electrical measurements and evalution of the response as sensors. Any candidate with experience of cleanroom processes, lithography, device fabrication, electrical measurements and sensors development is a plus!

Applicant:

The successful applicant must have a PhD in physics, nanoscience or physical chemistry preferably with relevant experience. They must demonstrate strong interest and self-motivation in the subject and exhibit the ability to think analytically and creatively. Candidates will be expected to take ownership of their aspects of the project.

It is essential that the applicant has an enquiring and rigorous approach to research as well as good team-working, observational and communication skills. Demonstrated time, resource and project management skills would be very advantageous. There is a necessary emphasis on publication record and experience in manuscript preparation.

Further, previous research experience within any collaborative interdisciplinary research environment is highly desirable. Experience in one or more of the following areas: in functional materials, in scanning probe microscopies, in advanced x-ray spectroscopies or synchrotron-based experiments, but most especially in sensor research, or in clean room lithographic techniques, or in device fabrication is highly valued in any applicant, and could be considered essential.

Eligibility:

The anticipated start date for the PhD is from 1st January 2025. Applications are welcomed immediately. The position may be filled as soon as an appropriate highly qualified candidate is found.

For more information:

Informal enquiries to Prof. McGuinness are encouraged (Cormac.McGuinness@tcd.ie ).
More detailed information can be available upon request.

Applicants should include in their application to Prof. McGuinness

a motivation letter detailing their suitability and interest in the topic,
a detailed Curriculum Vitae
and contact information for 2 academic referees.

Please title your email with the subject line: "Postdoc application - nanomeshes"

Previously advertised position has been filled

The previously advertised fully funded 4-year position funded by a TCD Postgraduate Scholarship has been filled.