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PhD Opportunities
I am interested in hearing from strong and motivated candidates wishing to undertake PhD projects in my group. Please email me to discuss possibilities, including a copy of your CV including details of your academic performance Funding for such projects is typically through central Monash University scholarships which are awarded on a competitive basis. The deadlines for Monash University PhD scholarships are March 31 and August 31 for international students and May 31 and October 31 for domestic students (Australian and NZ citizens, and applicants with permanent residence status in Australia). More information can be found at:
https://www.monash.edu/engineering/future-students/scholarships
Please note that Monash has a non-negotiable English language policy, and all applicants must have the equivalent of an Australian 1st class honours degree.
Example projects are listed below:
Advanced X-ray scattering of hybrid metal-halide perovskites
Hybrid metal-halide perovskites are an exciting new class of semiconductor. These materials have the traditional ABX₃ perovskite crystal structure, but combine organic cations (A), metal cations (B) and halide anions (X) to realise a semiconducting material. Solar cells based on hybrid metal-halide perovskites have achieved efficiencies more than 25%, and hybrid perovskites are being considered for other applications including LEDs and sensors. An attractive feature of hybrid metal-halide perovskites is the ability to tune material properties by changing the constituent parts. This results in changes in not only optoelectronic behaviour, but also microstructure. This project will focus on using advanced X-ray techniques to study novel perovskite-based materials, utilising the Australian Synchrotron that is located adjacent to the Monash campus as well as the Monash X-ray Platform. The aim is to provide new insight into the way microstructure forms in these materials with a view to better understanding and hence improvement the performance of perovskite-based devices.
Organic electrochemical transistors
Organic semiconductors are carbon-based molecules and polymers that possess the optical and electronic properties typically associated with inorganic semiconductors but with the mechanical properties associated with polymers and other “soft” materials. Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) exploit the enhanced interaction between ions in solutions and organic based semiconductors to realise devices where the bulk conductivity of the entire channel can be modulated resulting in high transconductance. The unique interaction between ions and organic semiconductors make them well suited for applications in bioelectronics with OECTs showing enhanced response to biological signals compare to inorganic-based sensors. This project will focus on engineering organic semiconductor layers with high surface area for application in OECTs, with a view to developing effective biosensors. In addition to tuning film morphology and optimising device function, access to state-of-the-art facilities at the Australian Synchrotron will permit in situ studies of microstructure evolution during OECTs operation.
Device physics of high efficiency polymer solar cells
Solar cells based on semiconducting polymers are an attractive alternative to traditional silicon-based solar cells. In particular, they can be manufactured using low-cost printing techniques, and can be made to be lightweight, semi-transparent, and flexible. The power conversion efficiency of polymer solar cells has dramatically increased in recent years to over 15% led by the development of new, high efficiency non-fullerene acceptor molecules. The reasons underlying this rapid increase in cell efficiency are not clear, requiring detailed study into the device physics behind cell operation. This project will use advanced characterisation techniques including low-temperature (cryogenic) measurements to understand the operation of high efficiency polymer solar cells in order to guide future efficiency improvements. As well as device characterisation, the project will involve device fabrication and optimisation, utilising equipment in the McNeill research group labs.
Post-doc funding opportunities
A number of fellowship schemes are also available through, e.g., the ARC. Such fellowships typically involve full research proposals that should be worked out well in advance and in consultation with the host organisation, and applicants should have a strong background in the relevant field including publications in high-impact journals.
I am interested in hearing from strong and motivated candidates wishing to undertake PhD projects in my group. Please email me to discuss possibilities, including a copy of your CV including details of your academic performance Funding for such projects is typically through central Monash University scholarships which are awarded on a competitive basis. The deadlines for Monash University PhD scholarships are March 31 and August 31 for international students and May 31 and October 31 for domestic students (Australian and NZ citizens, and applicants with permanent residence status in Australia). More information can be found at:
https://www.monash.edu/engineering/future-students/scholarships
Please note that Monash has a non-negotiable English language policy, and all applicants must have the equivalent of an Australian 1st class honours degree.
Example projects are listed below:
Advanced X-ray scattering of hybrid metal-halide perovskites
Hybrid metal-halide perovskites are an exciting new class of semiconductor. These materials have the traditional ABX₃ perovskite crystal structure, but combine organic cations (A), metal cations (B) and halide anions (X) to realise a semiconducting material. Solar cells based on hybrid metal-halide perovskites have achieved efficiencies more than 25%, and hybrid perovskites are being considered for other applications including LEDs and sensors. An attractive feature of hybrid metal-halide perovskites is the ability to tune material properties by changing the constituent parts. This results in changes in not only optoelectronic behaviour, but also microstructure. This project will focus on using advanced X-ray techniques to study novel perovskite-based materials, utilising the Australian Synchrotron that is located adjacent to the Monash campus as well as the Monash X-ray Platform. The aim is to provide new insight into the way microstructure forms in these materials with a view to better understanding and hence improvement the performance of perovskite-based devices.
Organic electrochemical transistors
Organic semiconductors are carbon-based molecules and polymers that possess the optical and electronic properties typically associated with inorganic semiconductors but with the mechanical properties associated with polymers and other “soft” materials. Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) exploit the enhanced interaction between ions in solutions and organic based semiconductors to realise devices where the bulk conductivity of the entire channel can be modulated resulting in high transconductance. The unique interaction between ions and organic semiconductors make them well suited for applications in bioelectronics with OECTs showing enhanced response to biological signals compare to inorganic-based sensors. This project will focus on engineering organic semiconductor layers with high surface area for application in OECTs, with a view to developing effective biosensors. In addition to tuning film morphology and optimising device function, access to state-of-the-art facilities at the Australian Synchrotron will permit in situ studies of microstructure evolution during OECTs operation.
Device physics of high efficiency polymer solar cells
Solar cells based on semiconducting polymers are an attractive alternative to traditional silicon-based solar cells. In particular, they can be manufactured using low-cost printing techniques, and can be made to be lightweight, semi-transparent, and flexible. The power conversion efficiency of polymer solar cells has dramatically increased in recent years to over 15% led by the development of new, high efficiency non-fullerene acceptor molecules. The reasons underlying this rapid increase in cell efficiency are not clear, requiring detailed study into the device physics behind cell operation. This project will use advanced characterisation techniques including low-temperature (cryogenic) measurements to understand the operation of high efficiency polymer solar cells in order to guide future efficiency improvements. As well as device characterisation, the project will involve device fabrication and optimisation, utilising equipment in the McNeill research group labs.
Post-doc funding opportunities
A number of fellowship schemes are also available through, e.g., the ARC. Such fellowships typically involve full research proposals that should be worked out well in advance and in consultation with the host organisation, and applicants should have a strong background in the relevant field including publications in high-impact journals.