PhD Soft Matter and Liquid Crystals Physics

Programme description

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Manchester is one of the largest and most active departments of physics in the UK. We have a long tradition of excellence in both teaching and research, and have interests in most areas of contemporary research.

The Department has a strong presence in a number of Manchester-based centres for multidisciplinary research: The National Graphene Institute, the Photon Science Institute, the Manchester Centre for Non-Linear Dynamics, the Dalton Nuclear Institute, and the Mesoscience and Nanotechnology Centre. In addition, the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire is a part of the Department.

The Soft Matter and Liquid Crystals group offers a well-equipped laboratory and strong research activities across a broad range of topics related to Soft Matter, in particular, thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystals, as well as composite systems based on anisotropic fluids, like polymer-modified liquid crystals, colloidal liquid crystals, and dispersed nano-systems. We are a multi-disciplinary group, which works at the overlap between physics, chemistry, materials science, biology and engineering. As such, we are involved in a large range of collaborations, not only with other groups and centres at the University of Manchester, but also nationally and internationally.

The postgraduate research environment is well funded and world-class as demonstrated by our ranking in REF2014. Supervision is provided by academic staff -who are leaders in their fields- with independent pastoral back-up. Transferable skills training is available and there are some department teaching opportunities.