PhD Studentship: Smart Droplets Using Organic Chemistry to Control Emulsion Stability

University of Birmingham - School of Chemistry

Background

Emulsions are mixtures of two liquids that do not normally mix, such as oil and water. They are found everywhere in daily life, such as foods like milk and mayonnaise, cosmetics, medicines, and even fuels. Their properties, like how stable or smooth they are, determine how well these products work. Studying emulsions also helps scientists understand fundamental processes in soft matter, such as how droplets form, merge, and stay apart. This research not only deepens our understanding of chemistry but also supports the development of new materials, medicines, and environmentally friendly technologies that benefit society. For instance, emulsion-based systems are used as delivery vehicles in mRNA vaccines.

The project

The newly established Fielden Group (fieldengroup.net) aims to revolutionise nanotechnology by combining organic chemistry and polymer science to create materials that respond and adapt to their surroundings.

This PhD project focuses on Ostwald ripening, a fundamental process that shapes the stability and lifetime of materials ranging from emulsions to foams and nanoparticles. For example, Ostwald ripening destabilises lipid nanoparticles used in drug delivery, a major challenge that needs to be overcome. By understanding and controlling how small droplets dissolve and feed the growth of larger ones, we can design systems with finely tuned size, stability, and function. Using dynamic covalent chemistry, molecular switches and reversible polymerisation, we’ll explore new ways to tune droplet growth and stability. The goal is to develop design rules for materials with precisely controlled properties and new functional behaviours.

Training and mentoring

The successful candidate will gain broad experience in organic synthesis, emulsion formulation, nanoparticle characterisation, NMR, and electron microscopy. You’ll also have opportunities to collaborate with other research groups to gain expertise in SAXS, SANS and microscopy, attend conferences, and shape the direction of your own project.

Students in the group receive close mentoring in project design, writing, and presentation skills. Thanks to support from an ERC Starting Grant and a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship, there is additional funding for training and travel. Graduates from the group will be well prepared for a career across all areas of science and technology.

Application process

Interested candidates should contact Dr Fielden by email in the first instance with a copy of their CV and a covering letter outlining their research interests. Applicants should have obtained a strong Master's degree in chemistry or a related discipline. There is no closing date but please apply as soon as possible since the position will be filled as soon as the right candidate is found.

The School of Chemistry is keen to achieve a gender and diversity balance across the School and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. The School holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award, which recognises its work in promoting women’s careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEM) in higher education.

Due to funding restrictions, applicants not eligible for UK home fee status will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

For more details on postgraduate research at Birmingham, please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Funding notes:

This is a fully funded position for UK home fee students only. Funding is provided by the University of Birmingham.

References:

Relevant papers:

• Aggregate 2025, 6, e70116 – doi.org/10.1002/agt2.70116
• Chem. Eur. J. 2025, 31, e202404387 – doi.org/10.1002/chem.202404387
• Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202320095 – doi.org/10.1002/anie.202320095
• JACS 2024, 146, 18781–18796 – doi.org/10.1021/jacs.4c03314