The Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics Group currently offers three Awards.
Ruth Lynden-Bell PhD Prize on Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics
We are delighted to announce the Ruth Lynden-Bell PhD Prize on Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics. This Prize will be awarded on a biannual basis by the Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics Group of the Royal Society of chemistry.
Prof. Ruth Lynden-Bell started her career working on spectroscopy. Later she worked on spin systems and infrared and Raman line shapes. Prof. Lynden-Bell has also contributed extensively to the investigation of liquids and disordered solids using computer simulations, often developing new techniques to investigate complex fluids, including seminal contributions in the area of ionic liquids. Prof. Lynden-Bell was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 2006 in recognition for her “crucial advancements in our knowledge of the properties of liquids and disordered solids”. Prof. Lynden-Bell was awarded the 2017 Lennard-Jones Lectureship for her work in Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics.
Eligibility:
Applications for the 2022 prize are invited in the general area of Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics. Both experimental and theoretical work is eligible for this award.
Students should have completed their PhD viva between January, 1st 2020 and December, 31st 2021.
There is no restriction on nationality or country of study.
Nomination process for the PhD SMTG Award
- A two-page summary on the Thesis and key research findings, written by the nominee.
- A letter of support by the PhD supervisor of no more than 500 words attesting to the contribution by the nominee in the area of Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics and the nominee research independence. The letter should state the date of the PhD viva, and confirmation that the PhD student passed the examination.
- A web link to download a pdf copy of the Thesis. Please do not send a pdf with the nomination.
- A CV (2 pages maximum) including a list of international peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.
- Contact details of a referee who could provide an independent report (1 page) on the PhD work. The independent reviewer may be the PhD external examiner.
Nominees are encouraged to contact referees in advance, to ensure they will be able to submit the report upon request.
The SMTG Committee will judge the applications. Any SMTG committee member with a conflict of interest will not be allowed to judge that nomination.
The winner will receive a certificate, a monetary prize (£300) and be invited to deliver a presentation at a designated SMTG seminar or conference.
Submission of nominations
View the full details on how to submit your nominations to the Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics Group of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Nominations open: January 6, 2024
Deadline for submission of nominations: February 28, 2024.
Previous recipients
| 2022 |
Dr. Beatrice W. Soh, Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Early Career Award in Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics Award
| Nominations for this award are currently closed |
The award is awarded biennially to an exceptional scientist, in the early stages of their career, working in the broadly defined area of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. The winner will receive £500, a certificate and will be invited to give a lecture at a designated SMTG conference with registration fees waived.
Eligibility for the SMTG Early Career Scientist Award
Those eligible for awards should have made a substantial contribution to the field of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics in the UK or Ireland. Experimental and theoretical research are both eligible.
Candidates must normally be within 10 years of beginning their PhD and should be working in the UK, either in academia or industry, at the time of their nomination. Members of the SMTG Committee are not eligible for awards.
The SMTG committee will judge the applications. Any SMTG committee member with a conflict of interest will not be allowed to judge that particular nomination.
Please follow the instructions below to submit your nomination.
Nomination Process for the SMTG Early Career Scientist Award
- A citation of no more than 300 words, written for a scientifically literate lay person, attesting to the contribution made by the nominee in the area of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
- A curriculum vitae for the nominee.
- A list, with dates, of the nominee's most significant contributions, together with their most significant publications (up to four).
The Proposer should provide the information above using the nomination form.
Deadline for Nominations: To be confirmed
Apply Online
Previous recipients
| 2021 |
Dr Davide Michieletto, University of Edinburgh |
| 2019 | Dr Alice Thorneywork, University of Cambridge |
| 2017 |
Dr John Russo, University of Bristol |
Lennard-Jones Lectureship Award
The Lennard–Jones Lectureship and Prize has a long and illustrious history. It was originally awarded in alternate years by the Theoretical Chemistry Group and the Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics Group (SMTG) of the RSC and then biennially by the SMTG alone.
A recipient must have made an outstanding contribution to the field of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics and must be of international calibre.
The award is open to all nationalities and the recipient is decided by the SMTG Committee.
Since 2001 this award (and the accompanying lecture) has been given in the Thermodynamics series of conferences.
Previous Winners
| 2021 | Julia Yeomans |
| 2019 | Denis J Evans |
| 2017 | R Lynden-Bell |
| 2015 | M Allen |
| 2013 | K E Gubbins |
| 2011 | H N W Lekkerkerker |
| 2009 | K Binder |
| 2007 | R Evans |
| 2005 | G Schneider |
| 2003 | J-P Hansen |
| 2001 | D Chandler |
| 1999 | E Sackmann |
| 1997 | D Frenkel |
| 1995 | M E Fisher |
| 1993 | B Widom |
| 1992 | B T Sutcliffe |
| 1991 | W M Gelbart |
| 1990 | A J Stone |
| 1989 | P-G de Gennes |
| 1988 | G G Hall |
| 1987 | J M Deutch & I Oppenheim |
| 1986 | A D Buckingham |
| 1985 | J S Rowlinson |
| 1984 | N C Handy |
| 1983 | L A K Staveley |
| 1982 | J A Pople |