From: jobs at ccl.net (do not send your application there!!!)
To: jobs at ccl.net
Date: Wed Jul 3 14:22:50 2024
Subject: 24.07.03 Ph.D. Positions in Computational Modeling of Soft Materials (Tuscaloosa, AL, USA)
The Turner Lab (https://turnerresearchgroup.ua.edu/) at The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL, USA) is seeking multiple Ph.D. students to work on modeling projects related to molecular simulation and multi-scale modeling for JANUARY 2025 admission. The projects involve molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and the development of advanced kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulation tools, so strong programming skills and previous computational experience are desired. Ph.D. students are provided a competitive stipend, as well as free tuition and health insurance. Several different research projects are currently available for students to pursue, and each of the projects is sponsored by a federal agency (National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, and Air Force). Furthermore, each project involves close interaction with experimental collaborators. Current projects include: Molecular Design of Solvents for Directional Solvent Extraction of High- Salinity Brines. The energy efficiency and selectivity of directional solvent extraction can surpass typical distillation or membrane systems, leading to realistic and environmentally-friendly approaches for water purification. Molecular simulations are being used to guide the design of high-performance solvents that also have very low toxicity and low cost, leading to practical implementation in many different situations. Structural and Performance Behavior of Ionenes. Ionenes (i.e., cationic polymers formed from condensation reactions) are an emerging class of polymers that can be used in polymeric membrane applications. Furthermore, composite membrane materials can be formed by combining ionenes with ionic liquids, providing a highly-tunable platform for performing molecular separations. Simulation are being used to guide the development of ionene composition and structure for advanced membrane development, as well as suggest ideal pairings with different ionic liquids, in order to generate highly selective membrane materials. Upcycling End-of-Life Plastic Waste. Once in the environment, plastic wastes are prone to form smaller particles known as microplastics, release toxic plasticizers and additives, and affect plant and animal life at all levels. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) make up the large majority of this waste, and are thus the primary plastics polluting the environment. We are developing routes to upcycle (rather than recycle) these wastes into value-added products by performing molecular-level simulations of solvent design and molecular-based separation strategies. The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering is the fastest-rising chemical engineering program in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report. Over the last five years, research funding in the department has increased by 260% and Ph.D. enrollment has increased by 88%. In case you are curious about our location, Tuscaloosa is a beautiful city (https://visittuscaloosa.com) with a very mild climate and a low cost of living. It is about a 4hour drive to the gulf coast where you will find some of the most beautiful beaches in the world (https://www.gulfshores.com/). Birmingham is the largest neighboring city (1hour drive), with a population of approximately 1 million residents. If you need more information about The University of Alabama and life on our campus, please visit: https://www.ua.edu/about/.
Interested candidates should contact Prof. C. Heath Turner (hturner^_^eng.ua.edu) with their CV and a statement of interest in a combined PDF document. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis (deadline: August 31st). Strong candidates will be provided with a waiver for free application to our graduate program (http://graduate.ua.edu).NOTE THAT E-MAIL ADDRESSES HAVE BEEN MODIFIED!!!