PhD in Chemical Physics - Understanding loss mechanisms in organic semiconductors using entangled photon single molecule spectroscopy

About the Project

Start date: October 2026

Organic semiconductors are an important class of light emitting materials. They are the basis for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), one of the main display technologies, common in smartphones and televisions, and can also be used in organic solar cells, a promising low-cost route for solar energy conversion. A pressing area of research with these materials is connecting their chemical structure to their optoelectronic performance. Why do some materials work well, while others do not? How can improvements be realised?

In this PhD you will use newly developed quantum optical spectroscopic techniques to measure single molecules using entangled photon pairs for the first time. In doing so you will explore what governs loss channels in polymers and small molecules used in OLEDs and solar cells and help identify what chemical motifs can improve performance. This research sits at the heart of fundamental understanding about excited states in organic molecules and has wider implications in exploring the quantum mechanical nature of those states and how that could be exploited in quantum information science.

This PhD will involve sample preparation, optical measurements and data analysis. You will work in new well-equipped optics, prep and cleanroom labs in the group, with a new glovebox for sample preparation, ultrafast lasers, an inverted microscope and time-resolved optical setups for conventional single molecule measurements as well as newly developed ones exploiting quantum entangled photon pairs, and our newly installed cryomicroscope for low-temperature experiments. As part of a new collaboration with partners in Japan there is funding available for research visits to Tokyo during this PhD.

Full PhD funding is available for UK based candidates, with an annual stipend of at least £21,805. A 2:1 or better degree in physics, chemistry or related domains is required. Recruitment will remain open until the position is filled, please send your C.V. (2-pages maximum) and a cover letter to Gordon.Hedley@glasgow.ac.uk. Informal enquiries are also welcome. More information on the group can be found at www.hedleylab.com.

How to Apply: Please refer to the following website for details on how to apply:

http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/.

Funding Notes

Full funding available for UK candidates, including fees and a stipend.

Eligibility: A degree with a 2:1 or better (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline, e.g. chemistry, physics, materials is required or to be achieved before the start date.