July 2018
The Electronic Devices and Materials Lab at the University of West Attica, Greece, in collaboration with the Ionic Liquids Group at the University of Pisa, Italy, intends to open a PhD position in the area of Optical & Electrical Characterisation of Ionic Liquids.
Suitable candidates should hold a BSc and an MSc degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry or Physics or Materials Science or relevant fields in physical sciences and engineering. Previous research experience in Physical Chemistry and/or Experimental Physics and/or Applied Optics is desired but not necessary.
PhD Project Description:
Ionic liquids (ILs) are salts with poorly coordinated ions, so that their melting point rests below 100 °C or even below room temperature. A vast number of ILs can be synthesized by proper combination of various cations and anions, enabling the fine tuning of their physical properties, so as to fit the needs of specific applications. Accounting also for their low-volatility and low-toxicity, ILs are “green” “designer” solvents at the forefront of research interest.
The PhD candidate will perform experimental work towards the optical and electrical characterisation of selected families of ILs, by use of prism-coupling refractometry and dielectric spectroscopy techniques. This project is expected to produce important results for numerous applications of ILs in the fields of optofluidics and energy storage, as well as for better understanding the correlation between their macroscopic properties and their molecular structure. Part of the doctoral study will take place at the University of Pisa, Italy, where the candidate will be trained on the synthesis and ab initio modelling of IL’s.
Tuition fees and funding:
There are no tuition fees required for this PhD project.
There is currently no available funding to cover the living expenses of the PhD candidate. However, he/she will be encouraged and supported to apply for an external scholarship.
Links:
Electronic Devices and Materials Lab, University of West Attica.
Ionic Liquids Group, University of Pisa.
Contacts:
Assoc. Professor K. Moutzouris [Contact]
Professor I. Stavrakas [Contact]
Professor C. Chiappe [Contact]