PhD – Nano-enabled Materials / Nanoscience research, University of Strathclyde UK

Job Description

Organization: University of Strathclyde

Faculty/Department/Division: Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering, including Physics, Pure & Applied Chemistry, Chemical and Process Engineering, Institute of Photonics, and Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS)

Location: Glasgow, United Kingdom

Position: PhD – Nano-enabled Materials / Nanoscience Research

Project Overview

• The University of Strathclyde offers 3-to-4-year full-time PhD research opportunities across nano-enabled materials and nanoscience, spanning science, engineering, photonics, healthcare, energy, and advanced materials.
• Research opportunities cover areas including nanomedicine and drug delivery, photonics and optical materials, sustainable nanomaterials, energy-related materials, bionanotechnology, spectroscopy, and computationally assisted nanomaterial discovery.
• Research projects may investigate non-viral nanomedicines for applications such as blood-brain barrier targeting, photonic supraparticles for nanolasers and sensing, semiconductor nanocrystals, sustainable nanomaterial synthesis, and nanoparticle–cell interactions.
• Computational research includes the use of simulation and machine-learning-assisted approaches to investigate nanoparticle assembly and nanoscale organization.
• Research is supported by multidisciplinary groups across the University of Strathclyde, including Physics, Pure & Applied Chemistry, Chemical and Process Engineering, the Institute of Photonics, and the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences.
• Opportunities may also involve collaborations with research centres and initiatives such as the Henry Royce Institute, Materials 4.0, and Applied Quantum Technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research within an agreed nano-enabled materials or nanoscience project.
• Fabricate, synthesise, characterise, or computationally model nanomaterials and advanced nanoscale structures, depending on the selected research project.
• Investigate nanoparticle systems, nanocarriers, polymeric materials, photonic structures, semiconductor nanomaterials, or other nano-enabled materials.
• Apply advanced materials characterisation techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface analysis, and related analytical methods where appropriate.
• Use advanced optical and laser-based diagnostic techniques, including laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), and laser-induced incandescence (LII), for relevant projects.
• Apply computational and simulation techniques to study nanoscale materials, molecular self-assembly, or nanoparticle organisation where applicable.
• Analyse experimental or computational research data and develop relationships between material structure, properties, and performance.
• Work collaboratively with academic researchers, research centres, and external partners where required.
• Present research findings at conferences and research meetings.
• Prepare scientific reports, research papers, and other academic outputs.

Required Qualifications

• A highly motivated candidate with a 1st or upper second-class (2:1) honours undergraduate degree, or international equivalent.
• Relevant academic background in physics, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, bioengineering, or a closely related STEM discipline.
• Fundamental knowledge relevant to the selected area of nanoscience or nano-enabled materials research.
• Ability to undertake independent academic or research work.
• Applicants should meet the relevant postgraduate research admission requirements of the University of Strathclyde and the specific department or project.

Preferred Qualifications

• A relevant Master’s degree such as an MSc or MRes may be preferred for some research projects.
• Previous independent laboratory or computational research experience.
• Experience with nanomaterials synthesis, advanced materials characterisation, optical spectroscopy, photonics, molecular modelling, or related techniques.
• Knowledge of nanoparticle systems, polymeric materials, drug delivery, semiconductor materials, or sustainable materials may be beneficial depending on the project.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good academic writing, communication, presentation, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to organise research activities and work effectively towards project milestones.

Employment Details

• Full-time PhD research programme.
• Typical duration: 3 to 4 years.
• Specific duration depends on the selected PhD project and funding arrangement.
• Research opportunities are available across multiple departments and research groups.
• Funding may be available through EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training, University scholarships, industrial sponsorship, or external funding schemes.
• Self-funded research opportunities may also be available.
• Start dates and funding deadlines vary according to the individual project or programme.

Salary & Benefits

• Funding arrangements vary between individual PhD projects and studentships.
• Funded projects may provide a tax-free living stipend and tuition-fee support according to the terms of the relevant award.
• Some projects may also provide research training, laboratory access, conference support, and research-related funding.
• The specific stipend amount, tuition-fee coverage, and additional benefits should be confirmed against the individual funded project.

Application Documents

• Completed online postgraduate research application through the University of Strathclyde.
• Academic CV.
• Degree certificates and academic transcripts.
• Evidence of relevant academic or research experience.
• Research proposal where required for an open or self-funded research project.
• Statement of purpose or research statement where required.
• Academic references.
• Additional documents specified by the relevant department or funded project.

English Language Requirement

• Applicants must meet the University of Strathclyde’s applicable English language requirements.
• The supplied profile indicates typical IELTS requirements in the range of 6.5–7.0 depending on the department and programme.
• Exact English language requirements should be confirmed for the specific PhD project and host department.

Research Areas

• Artificial intelligence and simulation-assisted materials discovery
• Bionanotechnology
• Chemical synthesis
• Computational materials science
• Drug delivery
• Energy materials
• Materials science
• Nanomedicine
• Nanomaterials
• Nanoscience
• Nanotechnology
• Photonics
• Quantum materials
• Spectroscopy
• Sustainable materials

Supervisor(s): Supervisor depends on the selected PhD project and research group.

Contact: Postgraduate Research Admissions Team – [email protected]

Application Deadline: Open year-round for general postgraduate research applications; individual funded projects may have specific deadlines.

Starting Date: Flexible; intake dates depend on the selected programme and project.

Reference: STR-NANO-2026