Epitaxial growth and physical characterisation of strongly correlated oxides by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Description

Strongly correlated oxide materials have provided a plethora of new functionalities such as colossal magnetoresistance in manganites and high Tc superconductor in cuprates and novel transparent conducting materials in metallic perovskites. Understanding and harnessing these functionalities requires to study fine details in their electronic structures. In this project you will prepare epitaxial heterostructures of complex oxide materials and by measuring electronic, magnetic and optical properties you will probe their electronic structures.

This project will use a state-of-the-art equipment such as a Pulsed Laser Deposition chamber equipped with in-situ characterisation to monitor the growth of the sample, high resolution x-ray diffraction and physical measurement using cryogenic temperature down to 2K and magnetic field up to 14T. The project will involve close collaboration with computational and experimental inorganic chemists to predict new materials to investigate and aid in the understanding of the properties of the new materials discovered in the bulk.

You will develop skills in thin film deposition, crystallography, physical property measurements, method development along with problem solving, team work and presentation skills. You will have the opportunity to work at international synchrotron X-ray and neutron scattering facilities. Experimental work will be enabled by instrumentation that is already established and available within the participating research groups, together with world-class characterization and synthetic facilities available within the Materials Innovation Factory. Owing to the multi-faceted nature of this dynamic project, the student will work closely with computer scientists, inorganic chemists, physicists, engineers, and material scientists to discover new materials for a variety of applications.

Qualifications: Applications are welcomed from students with a 2:1 or higher master’s degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, or Materials Science.

This position will remain open until a suitable candidate has been found. 

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr Troy Manning troy.manning@liverpool.ac.uk.

Please apply by completing the online postgraduate research application form here: How to apply for a PhD - University of Liverpool.  Please ensure you quote the following reference on your application: CCPR076.