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School of Physical and Chemical Sciences

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  1. School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
  2. Centre for Condensed Matter Physics
  3. PhD at CCMP
  4. PhD Projects in CCMP
  5. Spin dynamics in organic semiconductors

Spin dynamics in organic semiconductors

Research Group: Center for Condensed Matter Physics
Number of Students: 1
Length of Study in Years: 4
Full-time Project: yes

Funding

Funding is provided via the China Scholarship Council.  

  • Available to Chinese applicants only.
  • Applicant required to start in September 2026
  • The studentship arrangement will cover overseas tuition fees for the duration of the studentship.

Project Description

This project  will investigate a new paradigm of muon spin relaxation (MuSR), specifically  using muons to spatially and temporally map the evolution of molecular excitations on organic molecules. This project will use the HiFi muon spin spectrometer with a high power pulsed laser system designed, built and commissioned by Prof. Drew in 2016. It will be used to measure the spatial distribution of electron density on molecular semiconductors when in the excited state, via a change in the reaction rate of the muon with the molecule as a result of the changes to the electronic structure brought about by the excitation.

Excited states in molecules are key to a phenomenal number of important industrial and biological processes, as the dynamics of molecular excited states and electron transfer brought about by them govern photochemical reactions. For example, photochemical and electron transfer processes are responsible for malaria drug synthesis, respiration, DNA repair mechanisms and are implicated in dementia. Perhaps most importantly, case of photosynthesis provides the energy that supports almost all life on the planet, which is clearly a photochemical process. In organic electronics, the complex physics of excitations is critical to device function, such as in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic photovoltaics(OPVs). 

This project will also map out the underlying interactions on how muons and/or muonium interact with excitations at the quantum level. It also continue to develop new sample environments and experimental methodologies for photo-MuSR and this makes it possible to measure donor molecules in a matrix of acceptors, thus mimicking a bulk heterojunction OPV. We will be uniquely able to study germinate pair formation and disassociation across donor-acceptor interfaces, with both spatial and temporal resolution.

Application Method:

To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Physics programme (Full Time) please follow the instructions detailed on the following webpage:

https://www.qmul.ac.uk/spcs/phdresearch/application-process/#apply

Deadline for application – 28th January 2026

Supervisor Contact Details:

For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Prof Alan Drew

Email: a.j.drew@qmul.ac.uk

Requirements

  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
  • If English is not your first language you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in all categories.  English language certificate will be required at application. 

SPCS Academics: Professor Alan Drew

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