This is an EPSRC-funded research fellowship for a
theoretician to study
the kinetics and rheology (linear and
non-linear) of hydrophobically
modified polyacrylamide solutions, in collaboration with the
Department of Chemistry at Leeds (Dr IW Hamley). These materials are
of industrial interest as thickeners and modifiers of many products;
and are of intrinsic academic interest as model systems for gelation
and shear-thickening behaviour. This work will involve calculations
and model building for specific systems that have been synthesized and
studied in the Department of Chemistry at Leeds; as well as studying
the general aspects of these systems. The ultimate goal will be to
generalize existing work and study the non-linear rheological aspects of
these systems. The successful candidate will study the basic physics of
these issues through primarily analytic techniques, although computation
may be used as needed, depending on interests and skills.
Applicants should have a PhD and a working knowledge of statistical
mechanics, and polymer and complex fluids dynamics.
The Leeds
Polymer & Complex
Fluids group has a wide range of theoretical and experimental
interests in complex fluids, and has contacts with many academic and
industrial groups abroad and in the UK.
Salary will be on the scale for Research Staff Grade 1A
(GBP 17,278-25,969) according to qualifications and relevant experience.
Informal enquiries may be made to
Dr Peter Olmsted +44(0)113 233 3830/3846 (tel/fax),
p.d.olmsted@leeds.ac.uk
Application forms and further particulars may be obtained from Mrs
Maureen Thompson, m.thompson@leeds.ac.uk
IRC in Polymer Science and Technology, Department of Physics &
Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; tel +44(0)113 233
3810/3846 (tel/fax). The application form can be downloaded
here (Word 97 format).
Job ref: 052-089-004-027.
The University of Leeds promotes an Equal Opportunities Policy.