Reconfigurable Pickering Emulsions

About the Project
A fully funded PhD scholarship in Chemistry is available for research into formulating and characterising reconfigurable Pickering emulsions. Pickering emulsions are metastable dispersions of immiscible liquids stabilized by nanoparticles. This project will build on recent progress we made in fusing particle-coated droplets of different, immiscible oils together into multiphase drops (https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2018.00213). Our aim is to investigate how to manipulate the configurations of these complex emulsions and how to control encapsulation of ingredients within fused emulsions. This is an exciting opportunity to make real breakthroughs using microscopy, scattering and rheology techniques to probe the structure and function of these new materials.

This PhD project is part of a newly funded MacDiarmid Institute research programme on Reconfigurable Systems – Towards Zero Waste’ . The successful candidate will join the School of Fundamental Sciences on the Palmerston North campus of Massey University in New Zealand.

Eligibility

You will have a B.Sc. Honours or M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, materials science or similar. Knowledge and experience in colloidal and surface chemistry techniques will be an advantage. We are seeking a highly motivated person with an excellent academic record, and able to work well in a team. You should satisfy the requirements for admission as a PhD candidate at Massey University.

Due to Covid19 travel restrictions, we are currently only accepting applicants who are NZ or Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents.

Please check the NZ Immigration website for updates related to Covid19 restrictions on entry to New Zealand: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/covid-19 and https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/advice-on-coronavirus-outbreak/advice-on-coronavirus-outbreak_home.cfm

Total value and tenure of scholarship

NZD$30,000 per annum (not taxed) and includes all student fees for three (3) years.

How to apply

To apply, please send a copy of your CV and academic transcripts, and the names and contact details of two referees to: Associate Professor Catherine Whitby ([email protected]) with “Reconfigurable Pickering Emulsions” in the subject line.