[UK] PhD Studentship in The significance of the oxidation state of gold in heterogeneous catalysis at Cardiff School of Chemistry

[UK] PhD Studentship in The significance of the oxidation state of gold in heterogeneous catalysis at Cardiff School of Chemistry
Overview
Gold is widely recognised as having enormous promise in heterogeneous catalysis but development has been hindered by the lack of fundamental understanding of reaction mechanism.

The aim of the present theoretical investigation of the gold/carbon hydrochlorination catalyst is to provide new insights into the topic by taking advantage of the ability to change the halide counter ion to explore the effects of structure and cation charge. The theoretical work will be carried out in conjunction with an experimental investigation employing a powerful combination of surface spectroscopy, surface microscopy and surface kinetic methods.

Supervisors: Dr David Willock and Dr Philip Davies



Funding
This award includes full UK/EU tuition fees plus a doctoral stipend matching UK Research Council National Minimum (£13,590 p.a. for 2011/12, updated each year).

Number of Awards Available: 1

Eligibility
Academic Criteria: Applicants must have a minumum of a 2.1 degree at undergraduate level (or their equivalents) in a relevant subject

Residency: Full awards (fees plus maintenance stipend) are open to UK Nationals, and EU students who can satisfy UK residency requirements. To be eligible for the full award, EU Nationals must have been in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the start of the course for which they are seeking funding, including for the purposes of full-time education. EU Nationals who do not meet the above residency requirement are eligible for a fees-only award, provided that they have been ordinarily resident in the EU for at least 3 years prior to the start of their proposed programme of study.

How to Apply
No separate application necessary – consideration is automatic on applying for Doctor of Philosophy (Chemistry). Applicants should submit a University application using the Online Application Service: www.cardiff.ac.uk/apply

Application deadline: 31 March 2012

Further Information
For more information on the funding opportunity and details on how to make an application please contact the supervisor Dr David Willock on willockdj@cf.ac.uk or +44 (0)29 2087 4779