EPSRC Ph. D. Position "Understanding Why Polymorphs Appear In More Than
One Crystalline Form"

A PhD studentship under the supervision of Dr L. J. Farrugia 
(co-supervisor Professor C. C. Wilson) available starting October 2008.

The EPSRC studentship is for 4 years and is funded under the
"Next Generation Facility Users" initiative. It is open to 
EU nationals.

Polymorphism is the adoption of more than one solid-state crystalline form.
It is a common feature of many organic and inorganic materials, and the  
phenomenon can have serious (beneficial or otherwise) implications for the 
behaviour and physical properties of a particular material.  For example, 
it can prove to be a serious problem in the manufacture or administration 
of pharmaceutical materials. There is obviously much interest in understanding 
and if possible predicting the appearance of polymorphism in a particular 
molecular system, and in predicting the solid structures to be adopted.
 
This project will involve an approximately 50:50 mix of experimental and
computational work. In-depth, cutting-edge crystallographic studies, 
including high resolution charge density analysis will be coupled with
quantum and molecular dynamical calculations on periodic crystal systems
which exhibit polymorphism or which undergo phase transitions, with a view 
to obtaining a fundamental understanding as to why polymorphs form.

  
Anyone who is interested should contact 

Dr Louis Farrugia. 
Department of Chemistry
University Glasgow
GLASGOW G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK

email : louis++chem.gla.ac.uk
phone : 0141 330 5137