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Wales
Closing date: 7 March 2025
Funding providers:
50% Match Funded Faculty of Science and Engineering Studentship
50% Match funded contribution from UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship
Subject areas: Molecular beams, Surface Science, Quantum-state resolved collisions
Project start date(s)
Supervisors: Dr Helen Chadwick and Professor Gil Alexandrowicz
Aligned programme of study: PhD in Chemistry
Mode of study: Full-time
Project description:
It is a scientist’s dream to be able to control the outcome of a reaction just by changing the initial quantum state of the reactants. In this project, the student will explore if it is possible to control whether a molecule reacts (dissociates) on a surface, just by changing how it is rotating with respect to the surface before the collision. The focus of the work will be the dissociation of hydrogen on surfaces, which plays a crucial role in a variety of processes, from star formation to the industrial manufacture of chemicals, as well as developing a sustainable future.
The group the student will join, which is part of a wider team made up of both chemists and physicists, makes use of and further develops a unique magnetic molecular interferometer which allows us to control whether the hydrogen molecule is preferentially rotating like a helicopter or a cartwheel before it collides with the surface. During the PhD project, which is part of a Future Leaders Fellowship, the student will learn how to use the magnetic molecular interferometer apparatus to study molecule-surface reactions, gaining knowledge of a variety of topics including molecular beams, surface sample preparation techniques, different measurement methods, ultra-high vacuum chambers and cryogenic technologies. This will be combined with computational work including analysing the experimental data as well as running and further developing the numerical simulation codes the group currently uses to determine the optimum conditions in which to perform the experiments.
For more details please see here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/chemistry-ukri-phd-gas-surface-2025-rs786.php
Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in chemistry or a related subject, or a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ in chemistry or a related subject (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). See - Country-specific Information for EU and International Candidates.
Desirable – it is preferred that candidates have either have a physics or chemistry undergraduate degree (or another related subject).
Funding
UK Fee Eligible Students: This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £19,237 for 2024/25).
International Students: This scholarship will cover the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend if the applicant is successful in being offered a SUIPRES Scholarship as outlined below.
Swansea University is pleased to offer the Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES). This is a competitively awarded Scholarship open to overseas PhD and Professional Doctorate applicants eligible for the international rate of tuition fees who can demonstrate excellence in academic achievement.
The SUIPRES Scholarship covers the difference between the International and the Home tuition fee for the duration of the PhD/Professional Doctorate programme. Successful candidates will be charged fees aligned to the UK rate per year. The scholarship will be offset against your tuition fee liability.
All International applications will be considered for a SUIPRES Scholarship. You will be informed whether a SUIPRES Scholarship will be offered within your offer letter.
To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:
Course choice – please select as per preferred mode of study, either -
Chemistry / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / April
OR
Chemistry / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / July
OR
Chemistry / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October
*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.
One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.
NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.
Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.
As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):
Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Helen Chadwick (h.j.chadwick@swansea.ac.uk)
*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.
UK fee eligible and International students
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