PhD Opportunity: Self-healing Ionic Liquid Lubricants
- Joy Jiang
- Jul 14
- 2 min read
Lubrication is an essential and ubiquitous technology that reduces degradation by wear, increases lifetime, and reduces replacement and repair costs of moving parts in mechanical devices. Tribological contacts currently account for ~23% of global energy consumption and contributes significantly to CO2 emissions. This project addresses the urgent need to replace current products that are toxic to humans and detrimental to the environment with high performing, versatile, safe lubricants based on a novel platform technology: amphiphilic bilayer self-assemblies in ionic liquids.
In this project we will systematically vary molecular structure of amphiphile and ionic liquid components and engineer the intermolecular forces to assemble bilayers that optimise energy dissipation to improve lubrication performance. Structure and dynamics will be investigated over timescales from sub-ns to s or longer, and over length scales from molecular (within bilayers) to collective, cooperative motions by combining a range of cutting-edge X-ray, neutron beam and optical microscopy techniques, coupled to shear rheometry at local and major international research facilities. This will be used to develop the molecular design rules for formulation these novel lubricant systems.
About this opportunity:
Interested in starting a PhD in late 2025 / early 2026 and completing the program in 3.5 years? We are looking for curious, energetic, and self-motivated candidates, who are passionate about solving interdisciplinary problems.
Requirements:
- a major in Chemistry (or related fields e.g., Materials Science or Physics or Chemical Engineering)
- a 4-year undergraduate degree (with First Class Honours or with a research thesis), or a Master’s Degree by mid-late 2025
- prior research experience (preferably with publication)
- excellent communication skills in English (e.g., either English native speaker or with IELTS >6.5 across all sections; or TOFEL >88 overall, with >22 across all section)
- an overall GPA of above 3.3/4.0 (or >83/100 or top 15% in your class)
- graduating from one of the top 200 universities worldwide (required), preferably top 100 worldwide
How to apply:
Please submit this google form and attach your CV for initial screening:
*no email nor platform enquiry please*
Note that international (non-Australian) candidates should submit their applications 3-6 months in advance. Australian (domestic) candidates are encouraged to apply >2 months in advance.
This is a joint project between the G.G. Warr group and H.J. Jiang group at the University of Sydney. More info about the Supervisors:
Note:
- Please make sure that you meet all requirements specified above before submission.
- If you pass initial screening, you will likely receive an email from me to request more info within 1-2 weeks.
- If you don't hear back >3 weeks after applying, that means you did not pass initial screening. Due to the large volume of applications that we receive on a daily basis, please do not send any follow-up email nor platform enquiry, otherwise your email may be considered as spam and will be blocked by our server.
References
“Phase Behaviour and Aggregate Structures of the Surface-Active Ionic Liquid [BMIm][AOT] in Water” Y. Zhang, J.B. Marlow, K. Wood, J. Wang, G.G. Warr, H. Li, R. Atkin J. Colloid Interface Sci, 2023, 652, 749-757 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2023.08.049
