Structural Changes in Human Hair (Damage & Repair) by X-Ray Scattering (iCASE Studentship with Dyson)

Applications are invited for EPSRC iCASE PhD studentship to work on a research project at University of Sheffield in collaboration with our industrial partner - Dyson (https://www.dyson.co.uk/), one of world leading designers and manufacturers of haircare devices. This study is an extension of the preliminary established collaboration with the company.

Academic supervisor of the project, Dr. Oleksandr Mykhaylyk, is an expert in structural characterisation of soft matter. The project is focused on understanding of structural changes taking place in different types of human hair under external impacts such as temperature, UV radiation, chemical environment, air pollution and mechanical stress.

Human hair has a complex hierarchical structure, consisting of many layers including, from outside in, the cuticle, the cortex, and the medulla, all bound by cell membrane complex. While human hair has been studied by structural techniques for many years, a complete picture on the internal structure of the hair fibres has been elusive. However, our preliminary results show that there is a strong potential in using X-Ray scattering techniques to understand structural changes due to styling & damage along with deeper understanding of style retention and genetic/ethnic differences.

While working on fundamental and applied science, the PhD candidate will have a close relationship with industry, and, therefore, have the opportunity to acquire skills necessary for a future career in either academia or industry. They will work in close collaboration with industrial scientists/engineers for designing new technologies for hair care.

They will learn/use a wide range of methods for structural characterisation of materials including various microscopy techniques (Electron Microscopy, Optical and Fluorescence Microscopy) and Small/Wide Angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS). The PhD candidate will be a member of a polymer research group and a regular user of Sheffield's state-of-the-art Soft Matter Analytical Laboratory specializing in scattering techniques and rheology.