PhD Studentship - Liquid Crystal Materials for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Technologies

University of Leeds - Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences - Physics & Astronomy

Placed On: 12th March 2026
Closes: 30th April 2026

Project Link: Liquid Crystal Materials for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technologies | Project Opportunities | PhD | University of Leeds

Number of positions: 1

Eligibility: UK Only

Funding: School of Physics & Astronomy Studentship, in collaboration with Merck, providing the award of full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate of £21,805 per year for 3.5 years.

Lead Supervisor: Dr Richard Mandle R.Mandle@leeds.ac.uk

Co-Supervisors: Dr Thomas Raistrick t.j.raistrick@leeds.ac.uk, Dr Mamatha Nagaraj M.Nagaraj@leeds.ac.uk

Project summary

Liquid crystals are ordered fluids which display birefringence and dielectric anisotropy. These properties allowed them to revolutionise display technologies i.e. LCD TVs. Augmented and Virtual Reality technologies are the next logical step in display device technology. However, incumbent materials lack the requisite performance for Augmented and Virtual Reality technologies.
This fully funded PhD project aims to design and synthesise new liquid crystalline materials, to characterise their performance and properties, evaluate their performance in formulations, targeting deployment in future Augmented and Virtual Reality technologies.
This studentship will be part funded by Merck KGaA who are specialist in liquid crystals and optoelectronics. Thus, the successful candidate will join a diverse and multidisciplinary team of chemists, physicists, and engineers in academia and industry.
This studentship would be suited to a candidate with a strong background in chemical synthesis and chemical characterisation techniques relevant to small molecules. Some knowledge of liquid crystals or soft matter would be advantageous.

Please state your entry requirements plus any necessary or desired background
A first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline.

Subject Area
Synthetic Chemistry, Applied Physics, Materials Science