Charge-Controlled Materials for Separations of Important Resources

Monash University and the University of Wollongong invite applications for two PhD positions as part of an Australian Research Council Discovery Program grant titled ‘Charge-Controlled Materials for Separations of Important Resources’ DP240103089.

Home institutions: Monash University and University of Wollongong

Supervisors at Monash: Prof Stuart Batten (stuart.batten@monash.edu) , A/Prof David Turner (david.turner@monash.edu)

Supervisor at Wollongong: A/Prof Christopher Richardson (crichard@uow.edu.au)

This project aims to develop new microporous metal-organic framework materials that are better molecular discriminators than current technologies for the sequestration of important metal-ion resources. New charge-controlled metal-organic frameworks with precisely manipulated pore spaces will be developed and explored in novel, low energy separations with the aim of contributing to efficient low-energy future technologies for industrially important separation processes, including those involved in recycling of e-waste and extraction of mineral resources.

There are two (2) PhD studentships available within this project.

PhD 1 – Ionic Amine/Ammonium Metal-Organic Frameworks (Lead Supervisor: Batten; Location: Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)

PhD 2 – PSM Routes to Ionic Metal-Organic Frameworks (Lead Supervisor: Richardson; Location: University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia)

Each applicant will carry out ligand synthesis and associated characterisation (multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, etc.) and the synthesis and characterisation of metal-organic frameworks (crystallography (including experiments at the Australian Synchrotron), surface area analysis, solid state NMR spectroscopy, etc.). Lead compounds will be taken forward to screening their performance characteristics in liquid phase sorption experiments using a variety of chromatographic and analytical techniques (various atomic absorption/emission spectroscopies and mass spectrometries).

The project is designed so that the team of supervisors and students at Monash and Wollongong will work closely with each other with regular meetings and there is funding for inter-organisational student travel for specific experiments and broadening expertise.

Project keywords: metal-organic frameworks, coordination polymers, post synthetic modification, inorganic chemistry, crystallography, separations

To apply:

We invite applications from Chemistry graduates who have, or expect to obtain, a first or upper second-class degree.

Applicants should include, in a single document, a cover letter outlining their interest and relevant background toward the project together in terms of prior experience and/or relevant techniques. Candidates should also indicate a preference for PhD position 1 or PhD position 2. The application should also include a curriculum vitae, publication list (if applicable), relevant academic transcript(s) and the names and contact details of two referees. Applications should be emailed directly to one of the potential supervisors, using the appropriate email address listed above (under ‘About the Project’), quoting ‘DP240103089’ and the name of your preferred institution (Monash or Wollongong).