Deposition of novel transparent conducting thin films with unusual optoelectronic properties

About the project

A fully-funded PhD studentship in materials chemistry at the University of Southampton is available under the supervision of Dr Geoffrey Hyett and Prof Gill Reid in collaboration with Pilkington NSG. The project will investigate the synthesis of mixed anion thin films for transparent conductor applications. It will involve the synthesis and characterisation of novel molecular precursors to deliver the required elemental compositions and phases and make use of a range of thin film deposition techniques, including low-pressure and aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition and sol gel dip-coating.

You'll help to develop this new thin film deposition methodology and will gain expertise in inorganic synthesis, and associated characterisation techniques such as NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry for precursor characterisation, as well as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, to evaluate the thin film properties.

Due to funding restrictions, this position is only open to UK applicants.

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, and the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

Professor Geoffrey Hyett

• Functional materials: photocatalysts, p-type conducivity
• Mixed anion materials
• Thin films and chemical vapour deposition

Professor Gill Reid

• Synthetic inorganic chemistry
• Design and synthesis of new macrocyclic and multidentate ligands involving donor atoms from Groups 15 (P, As, Sb, Bi) and 16 (S, Se, Te)
• Coordination chemistry with s-, p-, d- and f-block metal ions

Entry requirements

An undergraduate 2:1 honours degree in Chemistry or another related discipline, or its international equivalent.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees and a current research council rate stipend of £16,062 tax-free each year for up to 3.5 years.

How to apply

Apply now

Applications should be made online. You'll need to:

In Section 2 of the application form, enter Geoffrey Hyett as the name of the supervisor.

You'll need to include:

• Select programme type (Research)
• 2022/23
• Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering
• “PhD Chemistry (Full time)”
• Research Proposal
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two reference letters
• Degree Transcripts to date

Faculty of engineering and physical sciences

Email: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

Project leader

Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Geoffrey Hyett.

Email: G.Hyett@soton.ac.uk

Research areas