*** PhD Studentship Available ***

Interplay between spin and electronic subsystems in novel transition metal oxides

We are seeking candidates for a PhD studentship focused on determining the physical interplay between spin and electronic subsystems in novel manganese oxides with competing electronic degrees of freedom. These compounds are derived from canonical materials central to the study of strongly correlated electrons, and exhibit a broad variety of magnetic and structural phenomena including ferroelectricity, spin and orbital ordering, as well as metal-to-insulator transitions.  The student will primarily use state-of-the-art diffraction-based methods to complete comprehensive studies of structural and physical properties, which is expected to reveal rich phase diagrams easily tuned by chemical doping. The project will also provide the opportunity to develop new experimental tools in materials characterisation laboratories, as well as expertise in modelling cooperative phenomena of the crystalline state and learning symmetry-based approaches to data analysis and interpretation. In cases when new materials properties lend themselves to technological application, the student will have the opportunity to begin development of prototype devices. 

Contact Dr Roger Johnson: roger.johnson@ucl.ac.uk

My research group works on the experimental determination of structure-property relationships in quantum materials and their theoretical interpretation via phenomenological group and Landau theories. At present we are focused on magneto-orbital physics of novel quadruple perovskite manganites, model quantum magnets engineered from coordination polymers, the crystal and magnetic structures of candidate Kitaev systems, and multiferroic thin film devices for oxide electronics.

We perform laboratory-based experiments using, for example, a Quantum Design Magnetic Properties Measurement System and Physical Properties Measurement System, bespoke dielectric and ferroelectric instrumentation, and single crystal and powder x-ray diffractometers. Our core research involves experiments at large-scale central facilities, mostly the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source and Diamond Light Source.