Ph. D. grant 2009-2012 in Computational Soft Matter/Materials Science/Chemical Physics - PhD <!--%IFTH1%0%-->- Jobs<!--%IFEN1%0%--> - - Drug delivery, controlled release and drug targeting
A fully-funded Ph. D. grant is available to do a Ph. D. in the field of Computational Soft Matter/Materials Science/Chemical Physics, starting fall(autumn) 2009 and for a total of 3 years. The working place is The University of Tarragona, Spain.
Graduates in empirical sciences, maths, or engineering are welcome. Physicists, Physical Chemists, Chemical Engineers, or Applied Mathematicians should be particularly suited for the project, which just requires some basic knowledge of thermodynamics, and being not afraid of programming a computer to perform numerical simulations. The latter is typically learnt by doing in the first stages of a Ph.D, and in general anything can be learnt this way with the right attitude, which is part of the fun of doing research: always learning new things.
Candidates should preferrably hold a Master's degree, or have an official title enabling them to start a Ph.D. in their country of origin, with a minimum of 300 ECTS credits of higher education. If interested, do not refrain from contacting me just because of this.
The project consists in modelling the formation of the microstructure of a polymeric membrane, when made by precipitating the polymer from a solution by means of a third chemical. It is essentially a 3-component phase-separation problem. Such membranes are typically porous and used as very fine filters, aimed at particles of different sizes. Therefore, one needs to control the pore sizes (the microstructure) and hence the need for simulations. They can also be used to encapsulate other chemicals... more in the direction of drug delivery. Experiments in both directions have and are been done in house, and our goal is to compare with them. Alternative projects more in the direction of biological membranes might also be possible, since both the supervisor and the host of this webpage have some experience in that direction too. In any case, technically speaking the project will envolve solving coupled reaction-diffusion partial differential equations, in principle by finite difference and simple numerical methods.
Interested candidates please send an expression of interest and a CV to roger.folch@urv.cat Please also indicate if you have an official master title.
The deadline for the application through the university will probably be end of April!
