Swansea University Funded PhD Studentship: Development and Feasibility of a Flowing Atmospheric Pressure Afterglow (FAPA) Discharge Ionisation Source 2017, UK

*This scholarship is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys.*

PhD scholarship for UK or EU applicants in the field of:

Advanced Ionization Techniques

PhD Chemistry

Subject study:

Development and feasibility of a Flowing Atmospheric Pressure Afterglow (FAPA) Discharge ionisation source as part of the Waters multi-modal ‘Universal’ ionisation source platform.

Mass spectrometry (MS) is used to identify and quantify different analyte chemistries in many industries, particularly when interfaced with chromatography. Flowing Atmospheric-pressure Afterglow (FAPA) is a recent approach to ionising materials which are challenging to detect with current MS technologies; those available are specialist, not easily interfaced or interchangeable with alternative ionisation modes for automation at atmospheric pressure (AP). Preliminary testing of a FAPA prototype, previously developed in-house for LTQ-Orbitrap XL mass spectrometer, exhibited soft ionisation for volatile analytes (typically analysed using vacuum ionisation techniques) and semi-volatile species. Given this, FAPA may offer an AP soft ionisation approach for these analytes, with interfacing to chromatography (both gas and liquid) for separation and quantification of complex mixtures containing a range of chemistries (e.g. biomolecules, medical polymers/plastics or biofuels), compatible with multi-modal source use.

Aim: To investigate a flexible FAPA source based on initial design, for the Waters Universal source, with various source capabilities, including sample introduction by chromatography and piezo micro-dropleting devices.

Scholarships are collaborative awards with external partners including SMEs and micro companies, as well as public and third sector organisations. The scholarship provides 3 years of funding with a 6 month period to complete the thesis. The achievement of a postgraduate skills development award, PSDA, is compulsory for each KESS II scholar and is based on a 60 credit award.

Candidates should have a 2.1 or above in their undergraduate degree in Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Biochemistry or a related subject. They should also be eligible for Home/UK Fees.

For more information on eligibility criteria please refer to section C of the KESS II Participant Proposal Form

Any queries relating to Section C – Eligibility, please contact KESSstudentenquiries@swansea.ac.uk

The studentship covers the full cost of UK/EU tuition fees, plus a stipend.  The bursary will be limited to a maximum of £14,198 p.a. dependent upon the applicant's financial circumstances as assessed in section C point 4 on the  KESS II Participant Proposal Form

There will also be additional funds available for research expenses.