Join BonLab as a PhD Student

You will be working in the research team of prof. dr. ir. Stefan A. F. Bon (www.bonlab.info) on a collaborative project with industry in the area of polymer and colloid science. The project will deal with the development of stabilisers and porosity control agents for heterogeneous polymerization processes, with a focus on emulsion polymerization. 

Enquiries, which should include a CV with the names of two referees, should be made to prof. dr. ir. Stefan A. F. Bon (s.bon@warwick.ac.uk).

Requirements:

You must hold, or be predicted to obtain, a first class degree (2.1 may be considered) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Physics, ideally with some experience in polymer and/or colloid science. This studentship is open to UK and EU nationals and those of equivalent status. Applicants from outside the EU are not eligible for this post due to restrictions on funding.

Start date: As soon as possible from now.

BonLab features on the cover of Materials Horizons

Our manuscript entitled Control of vesicle membrane permeability with catalytic particles has been selected for the jan-feb 2016 cover of Materials Horizons, a premier scientific journal published by the Royal Society of Chemistry which features first reports of exceptional significance across the breadth of materials research at the cutting-edge interface with chemistry, physics, biology and engineering.

Prof.dr.ir. Stefan Bon says: "We are absolutely delighted that our research has made the cover of Materials Horizons. Rong Chen and especially Ross Jaggers worked very hard in the BonLab to fabricate giant polymer vesicles which have membrane-embedded catalytically active manganese oxide particles, hereby using droplet-based microfluidics. We demonstrate that these colloidal particles can regulate the membrane permeability of the polymersomes upon their exposure to, and catalytic reaction with, small amounts of dissolved hydrogen peroxide. Not only can we trigger complete release whereby the vesicle gets destroyed through membrane rupture by the formed oxygen bubbles as illustrated on the cover, exposure to small amounts of dissolved hydrogen peroxide leads to temporary enhanced release until all hydrogen peroxide is consumed by the catalytic particles after which the membrane permeability restores itself to its passive characteristic value." 

More on this can be read on our blog.

The paper (open access) can be read here:  http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5MH00093A

Join BonLab as a Post Doc

Fixed Term Contract for 12 months

Applications are invited for a Research Fellow to work in the BonLab under the supervision of Prof.dr.ir. Stefan A. F. Bon. The research project will develop innovative polymer dispersions containing liquid crystalline material for display technologies in close collaboration with an industrial partner. 

You must have completed (or be soon to complete) a PhD or equivalent in synthetic polymer and/or colloid science. A proven ability in innovative and effective experimental research is essential and you should be skilled in the use of techniques for synthesis and characterization of macromolecules, hybrid materials, and/or colloidal particles. An interest and aptitude for unravelling synthetic, physical and mechanistic aspects of liquid crystalline colloidal dispersions of sub-micron dimensions in both aqueous and non-aqueous media is essential. 

You will be able to work independently and as part of a research team, aiding in the supervision of junior research workers. You will have a proven track record of publications, excellent communication and scientific writing skills. 

Where you have not yet been awarded your PhD, any offer made to you will be an under-appointment to the post of Research Assistant at a salary of £28,143. Once your PhD has been awarded, you will be appointed to the substantive post of Research Fellow at a salary within the range shown above. 

APPLY HERE