Category: Uncategorized

PhD studentship through E4 DOCTORAL TRAINING PARTNERSHIP

The project brings molecular modeling into biochar research, providing atomistic details to the key properties of biochar, and through this enabling the informed design and optimization of biochar for desirable functionality.

Full project description here

Supervisors Valentina Erastova and Ondrej Masek, UK Biochar Research Centre

Start: September 2020

Eligibility: Fully funded for UK and EU (with ILR) citizens

Deadline: 9th January 2020

Application process information here

PhD studentship through E4 DOCTORAL TRAINING PARTNERSHIP

“Weathering of Clays under Extreme Conditions: Implications for the Biosphere and Extraterrestrial Environments”

Full project description here

Supervisors Dr Valentina Erastova and Prof Charles Cockell, UK Centre for Astrobiology 

Start: September 2020

Eligibility: Fully funded for UK and EU (with ILR) citizens

Deadline: 9th January 2020

Application process information here

 

Very warm welcome to Laura and Alex, who will be doing their 4th year research project in the group. They will be using molecular dynamics to study interactions between various ions and layered minerals. Very excited to be working with you!

https://erastova.xyz/group/

Fully funded PhD position available

“Informing Design of Novel Materials for Chemical Pollution Remediation through Molecular Modelling“

 in the School of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh.

Eligibility: UK/EU citizens.
Start: 2020, applications will be considered until a candidate is identified.

For enquiries contact Dr Valentina Erastova by email.

Most fascinating talks at the Erskine Williamson Day at the Centre for Science at Extreme Conditions! It was great to discuss how my computational chemistry toolkit can be used for Astrochemistry and Astrobiology at Extremes, and obviously, look at the Origins of Life.

A very brief visit to Royal Holloway today, invited by Lyell Geosciences Society to talk about my work on Molecular modelling of minerals and materials: from Origins of life to modern challenges.

Our work on prebiotic peptide formation under early Earth conditions is featured in Nature Communications’ “Early Earth Collection”.

Editorial by Julia Eckhoff:

Today I was invited to present my work at The Centre for Resources and Earth Energy Systems, CeREES, as part of their seminar series. I discussed the versatility molecular modelling offers: whether the emergence of protobiomolecules, delamination of layered materials or enhanced oil recovery, all these processes are driven by the molecular interactions at the interface.

CeREES is the only research centre in the UK that works across all geoenergy and resource themes, carrying out high-level multidisciplinary research in Petroleum, Unconventional Hydrocarbons, Geothermal, Clean Coal, Resources from Waste, Carbon Capture and Storage, Water and Mineral Resources.

This week I have been invited to Subatech, IMT Atlantique by Prof Andrey Kalinichev.

It was a great opportunity to meet the group, discuss science and work together on some challenging clay systems!

Really enjoyed this trip!

I am humbled to receive this year’s Institute of Physics BRSG Founder’s Prize for the presentation of my methodology, coupling MD and ssNMR, to rationalise dynamics in solids.

The prize is in memory of the late Professor E R Andrew, founder of British Radiofrequency Spectroscopy Group. Prof Andrew was a pioneer of magic angle spinning and other methods in magnetic resonance.