3.5-year Ph.D. Project: Investigate the flow properties of soft materials for various applications, including vaccine and drug delivery, paints, and 3D printing. This 3.5-year Ph.D. project, jointly financed by RWTH Aachen and ILL, focuses on understanding the role of particle softness in the ordering, phase separation, and shear-banding of soft materials under flow.
Summary Table:
| Position: | Ph.D. Researcher (3.5 years) |
|---|---|
| Study Area: | Soft Material Science, Rheology |
| Scholarship Description: | Flow properties of soft spheres probed by rheo-SANS |
| Eligibility: | MSc in Chemistry, Physics, or related fields; interest in soft materials and rheology |
| Required Documents: | CV, Motivation Letter, Contact for Reference |
| How to Apply: | Email Andrea Scotti (scotti@pc.rwth-aachen.de) and Lionel Porcar (porcar@ill.fr) |
| Last Date: | Position open until filled; ideal start date in October 2023 |
Study Area: Soft Material Science, Rheology
Scholarship Description:
Flow properties of soft spheres probed by rheo-SANS
This Ph.D. project delves into the fascinating world of soft materials and their flow properties. Understanding the behavior of soft spheres is essential for various applications, including drug delivery, paints, and 3D printing. Soft materials have unique characteristics, and their flow properties are pivotal for optimizing their use.
Over 3.5 years, the Ph.D. student will use pNIPAM-based microgels as a model system to explore how the softness of particles impacts the macroscopic properties of suspensions under flow. The research will focus on the interplay between ordering, compressibility of individual particles, and resulting macroscopic properties. Rheological experiments will be combined with small-angle neutron and x-ray scattering measurements, providing a comprehensive view of the materials under flow.
Key objectives of this project include:
- Probing the shape and architecture of individual microgels under flow.
- Characterizing the structure formed by microgels during flow.
- Investigating the formation of bands and phase separation observed under shear.
The project will benefit from a well-defined model system to explore the fundamental principles governing the flow of soft spheres. Additionally, results will be compared with experiments on different soft colloids, enhancing our understanding of soft materials and their applications.
The project duration will be 3.5 years. The initial year will involve synthesis and characterization of microgels, followed by two years focusing on rheo-scattering experiments at ILL in Grenoble, France. The final six months will be dedicated to writing the thesis and PhD defense.
Eligibility: Prospective candidates should meet the following criteria:
- Hold an MSc in Chemistry, Physics, or related fields.
- Have a strong interest in soft materials and rheology.
Required Documents: Interested candidates are encouraged to submit the following documents:
- CV
- Brief motivation letter
- Contact information for a reference
How to Apply: To apply, send an email to Andrea Scotti (scotti@pc.rwth-aachen.de) and Lionel Porcar (porcar@ill.fr) with the subject “SCM-2023-15-YourName.” Feel free to contact Andrea Scotti if you have any questions. The position will remain open until filled, with the ideal start date in October 2023.
For additional details on the specific conditions and application procedure, please consult the following link: Ph.D. Recruitment – Open Positions.
