Looking for a talented,self-motivated and high-performing PhD student to be part of ourexperimental research on graphene-based electronic devices at theCentre for Graphene Science at the University of Exeter.
The Centre for Graphene Science is a new established highlyinterdisciplinary research centre between the Universities of Exeterand Bath in the South West of the United Kingdom. The Centre’sresearch focuses on the fabrication, characterization and applicationsof the remarkable new material graphene and provides state-of-the-art equipment, a high-quality research environment and is the hub of an international network of leading academic and industrial groups working on graphene.
Graphene – a single layer of carbon atoms – is a most popular material nowadays due to its promise to produce revolutionary advances in
science and technology. This is demonstrated by the award of the 2010 Nobel prize in Physics to Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov who were the first to experimentally reveal this material. Graphene hasspectacular strength, flexibility, transparency, and electrical conductivity. The significance played by this new material is even more apparent when considering that graphene is the thinnest member ofa larger family: the few-layer graphene materials. Even though several physical properties are shared between graphene and its few-layer relatives, recent advances have shown that each specific thickness of few-layer graphene is a material with unique physical properties which are yet largely undiscovered.
The PhD student will work with Dr. Monica F. Craciun and Prof C David Wright on graphene based electronic devices such as memories, sensorsand field-effect transistors. The student will study single layer graphene as well as few-layer graphene in order to find the best suitable material for a specific application. The project involves fabrication of graphene (by mechanical exfoliation and chemical vapor deposition), characterization of graphene layers (by opticalmicroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction), fabrication of graphene based electronic devices and investigation of their electronic transport properties. All the techniques to fabricate and characterize graphene are available within the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences at the University of Exeter. To fabricate graphene devices, the student will use the full arsenal of modern nano-fabrication techniques (including electron beam lithography, electron beam evaporation, sputtering, etching), available in our newly built clean-room facility of the Centre for Graphene Science at Exeter. Transport measurements will be performed at room temperature as wells as at cryogenic temperatures.
The studentship provides a tax-free living allowance of approximately £13,500 pounds and tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. Applicants should
have a background in Applied Physics, Materials Science, Engineering or a related subject and have or expect to gain a First Class UK
Honours degree, or the equivalent from an overseas University.
Computer programming skills in LabVIEW and experience of working in a clean-room environment are appreciated. However, candidates with no such experience should not feel discouraged from applying as training will be provided.
In order to apply you will need to send your CV, covering letter, and contact details for two academic referees to m.f.craciun-at-exeter.ac.uk. Your covering letter should outline your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake this project.
Scholarship Application Deadline: 10 March 2011
