2x New Funded PhD Projects: Soft Particle Mechanics at the University of Auckland

We are currently recruiting for 2 x fully-funded PhD studentships to work on biophysical studies and technology development involving mechanical measurements of small, soft particles. These studentships represent a rare opportunity to carry out transdisciplinary work collaborating with a range of highly-skilled academic groups. Students will be affiliated with two of New Zealand’s Centres of Research Excellence (the MacDiarmid Institute and the Dodd-Walls Centre).

• Student 1 will carry out collaborative experiments using small, soft microparticles, probing the limits of what can be achieved. They will use the resulting data to develop the models and methods required to measure mechanical properties. See this link for full project details.
• Student 2 will focus on the hardware required for technological development, and will work to continuously improve the technology based on user feedback. This work will combine microfluidic fabrication with electronics, and eventually with optics. See this link for full project details.

Review of applications is starting immediately and will continue until the positions are filled, with the aim of commencing the project by the start of 2024.

Contact A/ Prof. Geoff Willmott for more info: g.willmott@auckland.ac.nz