PhD position: Low-dimensional electronic and optoelectronic organic quantum materials

Modern electronics and optoelectronics rely on the nanoscale behaviour of electrons in materials. This quantum mechanical behaviour is dictated by the dimensionality, chemistry and atomic-scale structure of the active materials. Molecular self-assembly - i.e., the spontaneous arrangement of organic and metal-organic molecules into well-defined stable or metastable nanoarchitectures - offers compelling avenues for synthesising materials (including low-dimensional) from the bottom-up, with atomic-scale precision.

This aim of this project is to design and study atomically precise low-dimensional nanomaterials based on custom synthesised organic molecules. We aim to achieve nanoscale structural and chemical properties to generate exotic quantum electronic phenomena with potential for novel technologies in nanoelectronics, optoelectronics (light-harvesting, light-emitting) and catalysis.

This project is within the framework of a collaboration between Dr. C. Ritchie’s (School of Chemistry) and Dr. A. Schiffrin’s (School of Physics and Astronomy) groups. Organic nano-building blocks will be synthesised by Ritchie’s group with tailored properties. The atomic-scale structural and electronic properties of the assembled nanomaterials will be characterised in Schiffrin’s group by low-temperature scanning probe microscopy and synchrotron-based techniques.

The PhD candidate will gain expertise in experimental surface science, nanoscience, supramolecular chemistry, low-temperature physics, scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, nanofabrication and ultrahigh vacuum. The candidate will perform experiments, analyse and interpret experimental data, compare these experimental data with theoretical models (developed by theoretical collaborators (e.g. with expertise in density functional theory) or the PhD candidate her/himself, time permitting). S/he will conduct his own research project independently. S/he will work within a research team and acquire relevant expertise in the aforementioned fields of research. The PhD candidate will be co-supervised by Ritchie and Schiffrin, as well as their teams.

Applicants should hold an Honours or Master’s degree, and have a strong background in experimental physics.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr Agustin Schiffrin at [email protected].

Interested applicants must meet Monash Universities PhD entry requirements. See following link: http://monash.edu/science/about/schools/physics/postgrad/apply-postgrad.html.