Ph.D. opportunities in “Hierarchical Nanoparticle Assemblies for
Biomedical Applications”
at Dublin City University
The NMR/Materials Research Group in the School of Chemical Sciences at Dublin City
University (http://www.dcu.ie) are seeking two excellent Ph.D. students for a research
program on hierarchical nanoparticle assemblies. The positions are for three years and will be
supported by the European Commission within the 7th Framework Programme.
The preparation of nano-scale building-blocks with well-defined properties and surface
characteristics[1] is a key requirement for their successful assembly into functional
hierarchical structures.[2,3] It is anticipated that by improving control over the synthesis and
assembly[4] of nanoparticle building blocks it will be possible to produce materials with
tailored and predictable properties. Furthermore, by incorporating hierarchical control[5] into
the assembly, through the type, size and spatial distribution of the NPs, it will be possible to
improve materials properties and performance and to develop new functionalities.
Our focus is on the development of platform nanoparticle assembly techniques in the
colloidal state which are applicable to a range of particle types. These will be used to design
novel hierarchical nanoparticle assemblies for biomedical and optical applications. Hence the
research will involve nanoparticle synthesis, detailed physicochemical characterisation, and
process scale-up. Extensive collaborative opportunities will be available in the partner
institutions across the EU, particularly for biomedical applications and computational
modelling of colloidal assembly.
We are inviting applications from excellent graduates in chemistry, physics or materials
science, with exceptional scientific interest in and practical experience of the field. Good
knowledge of the English language is essential. We are looking forward to receiving
applications, which should include CV/publication list/transcripts and grades/names of
referees. Applications should be sent by email, before November 16th 2012, to
dermot.brougham@dcu.ie using “Postgrad Application Nanoparticle Assemblies” in the
subject line. The proposed starting date for the positions is February 1st 2013.
1. Epoxy ring opening phase transfer as a general route to water dispersible superparamagnetic Fe3O4
nanoparticles and their application as positive MRI contrast agents. Brougham et al. Adv. Funct. Mat., 2011, 21,
4769.
2. Water-Soluble Superparamagnetic Magnetite Nanoparticles with Biocompatible Coating for Enhanced
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Brougham, Mathur et al. ACS Nano, 2011, 5, 6315.
3. Linear assemblies of magnetic nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents. Brougham, Gun’ko et al. J. Am. Chem.
Soc., 2008, 130, 4214.
4. Controlled growth of nanoparticle clusters through competitive stabilizer desorption. Brougham et al. Angew.
Chem. Int. Ed., 2009, 48, 175.
5. Hierarchical gold-decorated magnetic nanoparticle clusters with controlled size. Brougham et al. ACS Nano,
2011, 5, 1747.