Electronic Structure and Microscopy

PhD projects

We're recruiting PhD students for a range of projects.

Explore and apply

Functional materials exhibit a variety of physical phenomena originating from both structure and the many body interactions of the constituent electrons. However, the potential for new physics is often at the interface between two materials, displaying properties not present in the bulk.

We develop and employ advanced techniques such as predictive materials modelling, microscopy and spectroscopies to uncover new fundamental understanding and help drive technological innovation.

Work in our group spans the full range from highly fundamental research aimed at uncovering and understanding new physics to applied research focussed on the development and optimisation of materials for applications. We are also playing a leading role in the development of advanced techniques to improve our understanding of the properties and functionality of advanced materials and devices (both experimental and theoretical).

Research areas

Complex Oxides
Functional Interfaces
2D VdW heterostructures
New phase retrieval algorithms for electron microscopy
Biomaterials

Methodologies

High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (including environmental capability)
First principles materials modelling (eg the density functional theory code CASTEP)
Core level spectroscopies

People

Subgroup Lead: Dr Phil Hasnip – Materials modelling

Professor Stuart Cavill - Core level spectroscopy (XAS), complex oxides
Dr Laura Clark - Electron microscopy
Dr Roland Kroger - Biomaterials, Electron microscopy
Dr Leonardo Lari – Catalysis, Electron microscopy
Professor Vlado Lazarov - Electron microscopy and spectroscopy
Dr Keith McKenna – Nanoparticles, Surface science
Dr Andrew Pratt – Materials modelling
Professor Matt Probert – Surface science
Professor Sarah Thompson – Nanoparticles, Electron microscopy
Dr Laurence Wilson - Bioimaging
Professor Jun Yuan - Nanothermal imaging