Doctoral and postdoctoral positions 2011

Highlights:

1. The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotecnology www.macdiarmid.ac.nz & Industrial Research Ltd www.irl.cri.nzIndustrial Research Limited is a research provider with a sound track record of contribution to industry and economic development, and to the wellbeing of the New Zealand community.
2. It exists to conduct scientific research and development in the manufacturing and service sectors that delivers ongoing economic, social and environmental benefits.
3. We currently have several PhD positions available for suitable candidates with a strong background in Physics, Chemistry and/or Mathematics, an interest in multidisciplinary work and advanced technologies.When applying applicants should ensure that the full title or reference number of the post doc position/s is clearly identified in a covering letter.PhD 01: Research on the Electronic Structure of Complex Metal Clusters
4. This research is a theoretical investigation of the interplay between electronic and geometric/atomistic structure for finite metallic systems. Small metal clusters do not have the same structures as their bulk metals, and there are many unusual phenomena observed in nanoscale metallic systems.
5. Accurate calculations based on quantum mechanics will be used to understand the changes in electronic structure that occur on going from a single metal atom, to a collection of atoms, to the bulk metal.PhD 02: Research on the Thermodynamic Stability of Biomolecules at High Pressure and High Temperature.The research is part of a programme funded by the Marsden Fund of New Zealand aimed at determining the boundaries of stability of amino acids, nucleotides, polynucleotides and RNA lying in the general area of Origins of Life studies. Infrared, circular dichroism and Raman spectroscopy will be carried out at variable temperature and pressure to map the phase behaviour, dimerisation and folding of a range of biomolecules using a physical sciences perspective.
6. The graduate will work at Industrial Research Ltd in collaboration with researchers at Massey University who will use other techniques, including highpressure NMR, to address the same problem.PhD 03 & Postdoc(1 x) Postdoctoral Fellow Position and (1 x) Postdoc ResearchResearch on Plasmonics and Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Using a Dimer Nanoparticle Platform.
7. The research is part of a programme funded by the Marsden Fund of New Zealand aimed at establishing a plasmonics technology platform using tethered nanoparticle dimers in combination with a variable nanopore.The graduate and postdoctoral fellow will be part of a team tasked with bringing a number of disparate nanotechnologies together to validate a novel single molecule detection platform.PhD 04: Research on Modelling the Transport of Water through NanoporesUsing advanced computational tools and a new mathematical approach to firstprinciples fluid mechanics, this project will look to develop a greater understanding of the flow of water through nanopores. ´
8. This project could have an impact on nextgeneration desalination and purification membranes in addition to shedding light on the fundamental limits of fluid mechanics. It would suit a student with a strong background in physics or mathematics and an interest in scientific computing.PhD 05: Research on the Effects of Nanoparticle Shape and Size on Catalytic PerformanceUsing a new theoretical approach and a variety of computational approaches, this project will look at how the shape and size of a metal nanoparticle influences its performance as a catalyst.
9. This project will have an impact on the design of next generation catalysts for applications in energy, pollution mitigation and chemical processing.
10. It would suit a student with a strong background in physics, chemistry or mathematics and an interest in scientific computing.PhD 06: Research on Adhesion at the Metal Polymer InterfaceThis project will use first principles computational methods to explore the nature of adhesion at the metalpolymer interface.
11. A proper description of this interface will require an understanding of the electronic structure and properties of the metal or metal alloy surface, combined with the complex structural and thermal behaviour of a polymer system. As such, a multiscale model is required to describe the atomistic chemical interactions as well as the physical or mechanical properties of interest (including the effect of surface roughness, pores, and wetting behaviour).PhD 07: Research on the Theoretical/Computational Description of Crystallisation of SugarsThis project will investigate the crystallization of sugars using advanced atomistic and quantum chemical modelling tools. In particular, these computational tools will be used for designing templating molecules that can be used to control the size and shape of sugar crystals.
12. The ability to control sugar crystallization is vital in a range of industrial applications, including in many areas of food processing.PhD 08:Research on Febased SuperconductorsA PhD scholarship in physics is offered for research into Fe based superconductors and related compounds. The research programme will include materials preparation by solid state synthesis and thin film deposition. The samples will be studied by techniques that include XRD, SEM, magnetoresistance, magnetothermopower,Hall effect, magnetization, heat capacity, Raman, and FTIR measurements.To applyApplicants should ensure that the full title or reference number of the post doc position/s is clearly identified in a covering letter.Applications will be processed through the IRL website at www.irl.cri.nz. Select ‘careers’ on the home page then ‘job vacancies’.Alternatively, email your CV and covering letter to vacancy@irl.cri.nz with the PhD number/s in the subject line, for example “2010_29 PhD01”. Applications close on Friday, 28 January 2011.
13. Industrial Research Limited is an Equal Opportunities Employer