Molecular design for energy-efficient and high colour-purity light-emitting devices

About 20% of the world’s electricity production is used for lighting and powering our displays, which account for 6% of the world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) have a major role as energy-saving technology with applications in displays, solid-state lighting panels, wearable electronics, sensors, and virtual/mixed-reality displays. New advanced materials discoveries are highly required on multiple fronts to increase OLED devices’ colour purity, device lifetime, and light output and reduce energy consumption.

Applications are sought for a PhD studentship in the development of the “Advanced materials design for energy-efficient and high colour purity light-emitting devices” with a particular focus on the discovery of new light-emitting materials and their use in future lighting technologies. The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Alexander Romanov and Dr Ashok Keerthi (Department of Chemistry). The project is part of a comprehensive programme exploring a new family of strongly photo-emissive coinage metal complexes based on carbene-metal-amide and acetylide structures. These materials recently demonstrated excellent photoluminescent properties and are capable of producing OLEDs with high efficiency and operating stability (Advanced Materials, 2024, 36, 2306249; Advanced Materials, 2024, 36, 2404357). The successful applicant will become a part of the established team at the University of Manchester and will work in collaboration with Kyoto University (Prof Takuji Hatakeyama) and the optoelectronics group at the University of Cambridge (Prof Neil Greenham). The post will involve substantial collaboration and would suit an ambitious, highly motivated and practical researcher with some experience in synthetic inorganic chemistry and/or organic materials chemistry. There will also be the opportunity to develop complementary skills in the photophysical characterisation of the materials and therefore an additional interest in materials science would be desirable. Applicants should hold a First degree (2:1 or above) in Chemistry.

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering-related discipline.

Applicants are expected to hold or are about to obtain a first-class degree (2:1 or above) in Chemistry, while some experience in inorganic, organic or materials chemistry is desirable.

Funding 

The successful applicant will receive funding from the Royal Society and the University of Manchester. This will cover tuitionfees and provide an annual tax free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25). We expect the stipend to increase each year. This is for home students only.

Before you apply 

We strongly recommend that you contact the main supervisor for this project before you apply via Email: alexander.romanov@manchester.ac.uk

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-fap

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it.
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).