Project Title: Investigation of the toughness of recycled polymer-clay nanocomposites for plastics recycling

We have a PhD scholarship available to work on Polymer Nanocomposites in the Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering.

The project, which is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency in Ireland, aims to enhance the toughness of recycled plastics using nanoclays and study toughening mechanisms of clay in polymers. It will benefit plastics recycling industry by upgrading their products and other plastics industries by providing more choices of low-cost raw materials. The successful candidate will receive training in Polymer Science and Engineering, Composite Materials, Ceramics and Physical Chemistry.

Stipend: EUR 16,002 per annum (plus tuition fees and travel expenses).

Start date: September/October 2008.

Requirements: Candidates will have a primary degree (equivalent to 2:1 or higher) in an appropriate discipline.

Application: Highly motivated applicants with an interest in Polymers should send a full CV including names and contact details of two referees to:

Dr. Biqiong Chen
Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Trinity College Dublin
College Green
Dublin 2, Ireland

Email: chenb[ at ]tcd.ie

TRINITY COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER