Graduate Blog

Postgraduate CASE Studentship "Q-tensor theory and liquid crystal
displays" <https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/node/15169>


Vacancy Reference:

BK/11/007

STUDENTSHIP: EPSRC STANDARD STUDENTSHIP + �2000 per annum enhancement +
College and University fees.

Closing date for applications: 31 March 2011

Applications are invited for a postgraduate studentship, funded by EPSRC
and Hewlett Packard Laboratories, to work on "Q-tensor theory and liquid
crystal displays" with Professor Sir John Ball FRS from the Oxford Centre
for Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations (OxPDE), part of the
Mathematical Institute, and Dr Christopher Newton from HP Labs in Bristol.
 The student will be based in OxPDE
 (http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/groups/oxpde/ ), but will regularly visit HP
 Labs (http://www.hpl.hp.com/bristol/ ). The studentship is available for a
 1 October 2011 start and is subject to standard Doctoral Training Account
 rules for eligibility.

 Liquid crystals form an intermediate state of matter between isotropic
 liquids and crystalline solids, and as the working substance of many
 electronic displays  are of immense technological importance. In the
 future displays are likely to be based on novel liquid crystal effects,
 such as bi- or multi-stability, in which there are two or more stable
 states which are optically distinct and which can be switched between
 electrically.  The project concerns the analysis of the nonlinear partial
 differential equations of the Landau - de Gennes Q-tensor theory of
 nematic liquid crystals, and will build on the recent work done in Oxford
 on variational (and dynamic) tools for understanding the Q-tensor theory.
 This understanding will be developed to include the effect of applied
 electric fields, the existence and properties of stable configurations and
 how these depend on surface topography. The aim is to provide a sound
 theoretical underpinning that will guide the computational effort on new
 kinds of displays.

 The studentship is attached to the Queen's College, and accommodation will
 be available in the College for one year. The studentship covers a stipend
 of at least �15,590 per annum (which includes a �2,000 industrial
 enhancement), and College and University fees at the EU rate. The
 studentship is open to all EU citizens, but those from outside the UK are
 eligible for a fees-only award.

 The studentship falls outside the University's Gathered Field process.
 Applications should be made online at
 www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses and should include a CV,
 covering letter, three references and a transcript of your undergraduate
 degree. Alternatively, applications (and references signed over the seal)
 can be sent to Margaret Sloper at the Mathematical Institute using the
 University's application form for graduate study, which can be downloaded
 from the above link. Applications must arrive by the end of the day on 31
 March 2011. Please quote the correct reference BK/11/007 in your covering
 letter. References can also be sent directly to Margaret (email
 graduate.studies@maths.ox.ac.uk) by the closing date. For further details
 of the projects, including the application process, please see
 www.maths.ox.ac.uk/notices/vacancies, or contact
 graduate.studies@maths.ox.ac.uk

 Oxford University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.





 Emma Waters

 Project Manager

 OxMOS - New Frontiers in the Mathematics of Solids

 OxPDE - Oxford Centre for Nonlinear PDE

 Mathematical Institute

 1st Floor Gibson Building

 Radcliffe Observatory Quarter

 Woodstock Road

 Oxford

 OX2 6HA

 Tel: 01865-615117



 Mailing Address:

 Mathematical Institute

 24-29 St Giles

 Oxford

 OX1 3LB