International Paint Ltd
SEACOAT PhD with International Paint
The International Paint worldwide businesses are part of Akzo Nobel's Performance Coatings group. AkzoNobel is proud to be one of the world's leading industrial companies. We make and supply a wide range of paints, coatings and specialty chemicals. 2008 revenue totalled €15.4 billion - we are the largest global paints and coatings company.
Project Title: Nanostructured block copolymers for deterrence of fouling organisms.
Project Description:
This PhD project is part of the Marie Curie Initial Training Network SEACOAT, in which 6 leading Universities and 2 companies are collaborating to understand biointerfacial processes involved in marine biofouling. The network involves research in 3 complementary, interdisciplinary themes: Surface Engineering, Surface Analytics and Bioadhesion (see http://www.biosciences.bham.ac.uk/SEACOAT for more information). The successful applicant will be appointed for 3 years to a salaried staff position as a Training Fellow, and will receive a salary with social security benefits, mobility and yearly travel allowances and a career exploratory allowance. The training fellow will be based primarily at International Paint Ltd in Felling, UK. However, the fellow is also required to undertake secondments and visits to other Partners (SuSos AG, ETH Zurich, Birmingham and Newcastle) to learn and apply specific techniques.
The project involves the design, synthesis and characterisation of novel block copolymers. Advanced synthetic techniques will be used to prepare the polymers to enable the control of physico-chemical properties. Polymer characterisation at International Paint and at other partners will investigate the polymer surface and bulk properties and how these affect the deterrence of fouling.
Funding Notes:
A first degree (typically BSc or Masters) in Chemistry is required. Experience in polymer synthesis would be advantageous. Applications including CV and detailed education with grades should be addressed to Simon Cheesman (Simon.Cheesman@akzonobel.com ).
The EU Marie Curie Training Network rules for funding and eligibility are strictly followed. This means that the position is available to citizens of any country other than the UK. In addition, you must not have spent more than 12 months working or studying in the UK in the last 3 years.
The SEACOAT consortium operates an Equal Opportunities policy.
The successful candidate will be expected to commence in early 2010.
The closing date for applications is 1st December 2009.
