Postgraduate Opportunities
Newcastle University
Supervisor(s): Dr Mark Willis, Professor Allen Wright
School: School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials
Provider: EPSRC
Duration: 3 years from 1 October 2008
Project Description
Applications are invited for this EPSRC supported project. The candidate will join a team of researchers investigating high throughput route selection (HRTS) methods. This project aims to research and develop enabling technologies necessary to provide the infrastructure and methods for rapid synthetic route selection. This is a new application of high throughput technologies (HTT) positioned at the interface between chemistry and chemical engineering which, if successful, would remove a significant bottleneck in high-speed chemicals process innovation and development.
HTRS will require the co-ordinated application of a range of methodologies, tools and techniques, including retrosynthesis, physical property prediction, downstream processing, integration of laboratory activities, mathematical methods, knowledge management and information support. Useful integration of these methods and technologies presents substantial new challenges which will require both fundamental and applied research if the potential of HTRS is to be achieved. The main challenges to be addressed are:
Establishing requirements for HTRS
Downstream processing
Establishing a mathematical framework for HTRS.
Value of the Award and Eligibility
Due to funding criteria, EPSRC funded studentships are available only to UK/EU applicants. UK students are eligible for fees and stipend at the standard EPSRC rate (£12,940). EU candidates are eligible for fees only.
Person Specification
We are seeking a highly motivated student with a good Honours (upper-second-class Honours) degree in chemical engineering or mathematics and/or an MSc degree in science and engineering. Candidates should have good numeric and experimental skills.
How to Apply
You must complete the University’s postgraduate application form (www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply), selecting ‘PhD School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials (full time) - Chemical Engineering’ as the programme of study and inserting the reference number CE012. Only mandatory fields need to be completed (no personal statement required) and a CV and a covering letter should be attached. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote the reference number CE012 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project.
Closing date: Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as this position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found.
Further Information
If you would like more details about this studentship, please contact Dr Mark Willis, mark.willis@ncl.ac.uk or Professor Allen Wright, a.r.wright@ncl.ac.uk
Funding information
- Funding applies to:
- EU applicants (including UK)
