PhD: Bioinspired Fluidic Metamaterials for Water Transport

University of Exeter; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PhD stipend

Job summary

The University of Exeter invites applications for a PhD studentship exploring bioinspired metamaterials that use hierarchical surface patterns to control water transport. The project combines experimental fabrication (PDMS casts, oxygen plasma treatment) with multi‑scale modelling in a collaboration with Exeter Centre for Metamaterial Research and Innovation.

Funding covers fees and a stipend of £21,805 per annum for 2026/7.

Responsibilities

• Characterise natural plant surfaces and quantify their capacity to guide and transport water.
• Fabricate synthetic surface replicas (PDMS casts) and vary hydrophilicity using oxygen plasma treatment.
• Use two-photon polymerisation to investigate effects of topographical features on wetting and water spreading.

Job description

The University of Exeter invites applications for a PhD studentship exploring bioinspired metamaterials that use hierarchical surface patterns to control water transport. The project combines experimental fabrication (PDMS casts, oxygen plasma treatment) with multi‑scale modelling in a collaboration with Exeter Centre for Metamaterial Research and Innovation.

Funding covers fees and a stipend of £21,805 per annum for 2026/7.