PhD in Sustainable Polymer Synthesis

The design and synthesis of new, sustainably sourced polymers and plastics presents a major challenge that would enable the transition to a sustainable plastic future. We focus on designing in the whole lifecycle of the polymer from increasing the ‘green’ credentials of the chemistry, through to incorporating design for end-of-life from the start. We are focussed on making sure that these new materials behave comparably or better than existing petrochemical plastics and polymer additives and hope that this research can advance the design of sustainable plastics for the future.

A funded PhD studentship is available in the group of Prof. Andrew Dove at the University of Birmingham (group website: http://www.dovegrouplab.com ) to work in this area. The project will involve research in some or all of the key areas that the group are interested:

• Application of sustainably sourced monomers to create polymers
• Using green chemical methods and metrics to improve the sustainability
• Understanding how the chemical structure relates to the mechanical and thermal properties of the plastics.

The project will involve several areas that can be tuned towards the successful applicant’s interests and skills and will be ideal for students that are interested in a fundamental research project with an applied goal. The work will be conducted in the recently refurbished lab space that the Dove group occupy in the Haworth Building in Edgbaston with full access to the world-class, state-of-the-art facilities maintained by the group and department.

Enquiries and informal applications should be made as soon as possible to Prof. Andrew Dove using the webform at: https://www.dovegrouplab.com/opportunities/elementor-7015/

Recent examples from the Dove Group include: