Liquid crystalline materials represent a distinct phase of matter that flows like a liquid but maintains the ordered molecular orientation of a solid crystal. This unique intermediate state is technologically vital because its optical properties can be precisely controlled with electrical fields, enabling the ubiquitous display technologies used in modern smartphones, televisions, and medical monitors. Photoactive liquid crystals form a distinct state of matter combining fluid mobility with ordered, light-responsive molecular structures. This unique dual nature allows them to rapidly change shape or optical properties when exposed to light, making them essential for creating next-generation, remote-controlled optical sensors and smart diagnostic devices.
This internship focuses on the experimental investigation of the mesomorphic properties of novel thermotropic liquid crystals with rod-shaped molecules, including photoactive systems. Bridging organic chemistry, physics, materials research and physical chemistry, the project aims to clarify how the molecular structure of advanced organic materials dictates the formation and properties of their liquid crystalline phases. Throughout the internship, the applicant will utilize a diverse suite of experimental techniques. This includes observing and interpreting characteristic phase textures via polarized-light optical microscopy, as well as determining phase transition temperatures through differential scanning calorimetry. Furthermore, the work involves measuring the absorption spectra of the target materials and using high-performance liquid chromatography to quantify the ratio of rod-shaped to bent-shaped isomers following UV irradiation.
- Experimental Preparation: Prepare various liquid crystalline samples (unaligned, planar, homeotropic, free standing films, composite), also the solutions of the liquid crystalline materials and assist with basic preparation of the experimental setup.
- Polarized-Light Optical Microscopy: Make the observations of the liquid crystalline textures, their changes with temperature and/or applied electric field and identification of the phase transitions.
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry: Determination of the exact phase transition temperatures and enthalpy values of the phase transitions for new liquid crystalline materials, mixtures and composites.
- Dielectric spectroscopy: Measurements of the dielectric properties for polar liquid crystalline phases and identification of the relaxation processes; fitting and analysis of the obtained data.
- High Performance Liquid Chromatography: Investigation of the E-Z isomerization, establishing the photostationary state and isomerization kinetics for new photoactive materials.
- Data Analysis: Process, visualize, and compare experimental datasets obtained under different conditions.
- Scientific Work: Participate in literature research, documentation of experiments, and discussion of results with the research team.
- The exact experimental tasks will be adapted to the current research activities, the student’s background, running projects and progress during the internship.
What we need:
- Field of Study: Material Science, Physical Chemistry, Soft Matter, Engineering, Organic Chemistry or a related field.
- Level of Study: Bachelor’s or Master’s student.
- Technical Skills: Basic laboratory experience is an advantage but is not required. Previous experience with Polarizing-light Optical Microscope, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Dielectric Spectroscopy, High Performance Liquid Chromatography is not necessary.
- Data Skills: Basic ability to work with experimental data; experience with Excel, Origin, Adobe Photoshop, or similar tools is a plus, but not required.
- Soft Skills: Patience during experiments, reliability, analytical thinking, careful experimental work, curiosity, and willingness to learn.
- Language skills: The internship implementation can be in both the Czech and English language; however, basic knowledge of English language is required.
What we offer:
- Duration: Initial internship of 2 months, 16 hours per week (weekends/holidays are not considered as access to the Institution is not allowed).
- Possible continuation: Possibility of extending the collaboration for an additional 2 months, with the potential for further extension depending on mutual interest, available projects, and student performance.
- Flexible working hours compatible with university studies.
- Hands-on experience with Polarizing-light Optical Microscope, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Dielectric Spectroscopy, High Performance Liquid Chromatography, and further scientific instrumentation.
- Participation in real experimental research rather than purely theoretical or demonstration work.
- Professional mentoring and guidance from experienced researchers.
- Access to modern laboratory infrastructure.
- Experience with data analysis, interpretation, and presentation.
- Insight into academic research, international collaborations, scientific projects, and research careers.
- Possibility to develop the work further toward a Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis, depending on mutual interest and available research topics. In case of interest, the PhD thesis can also be considered.