Apply for a funded PhD position

Background

Modern society faces a plastic waste crisis, coupled with the urgent need to reduce our dependence on oil and gas. In tandem, the last decade has seen the design of ever ‘smarter’ and more functional materials and global demand for these materials is growing.

The appealing properties of plastics (flexibility, durability, elasticity, high strength-to-weight ratio) are often a result of their structural complexity. There is a limit to the variety of properties that can be obtained from a homopolymer (a polymer made from one type of monomer). Combination of two or more monomers gives access to materials with properties intermediate between the constituent homopolymers; the type of copolymer (block, alternating, random) influences the available property range. Block copolymers consist of linked homopolymers and enable the properties of the homopolymers to be combined in the new material. However, traditional synthetic methods to make these copolymers can require multiple reaction steps and purifications.

This project is lead by Dr Rachel Platel. Research in the Platel Group centres on the synthesis of biodegradable polymeric materials and materials from renewable feedstocks.

Project description

A 3.5 year EPSRC DTP funded PhD position is available in the Chemistry Department at Lancaster University, focussed on the synthesis of biodegradable polymers with defined sequences and their one-pot synthesis from a mixture of monomers. Constructing sequenced polymers usually involves multiple reaction steps and labour-intensive purifications. Building on recent work, we aim to assemble of a variety of polymer structures in one-step, with a single catalyst, starting from mixtures of monomers. We will also explore the underlying reaction mechanisms.

During the project you will receive training in ligand and metal complex design and synthesis, and polymer synthesis, including the manipulation of air and moisture sensitive reagents using Schlenk and glovebox techniques. You will use a range of molecular characterisation techniques (NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography) as well as techniques for polymer characterisation (gel-permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis).

Requirements

Applicants will hold, or expect to receive, a 1st class or 2:1 UK Master's or BSc degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry or a closely related subject and possess theoretical and practical skills commensurate with a science-based undergraduate degree programme. Candidates with a 2:2 may be considered if they can demonstrate excellent research skills in their application and references.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong interest in catalysis and/or the synthesis and characterisation of polymers. They will enjoy working in a laboratory environment, have a willingness to learn, a collaborative attitude and excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

How to apply (Please read carefully)

Dr Rachel Platel welcomes informal email enquiries before submitting an application (r.platel@lancaster.ac.uk). Please note that we cannot receive applications by email as they must be processed centrally.

Applications should be made via Lancaster University’s online application system (http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/how-to-apply-for-postgraduate-study/).

Please indicate on your application that you are applying for this funded PhD project by declaring the title of the advertisement where prompted. You may use the project description as your research proposal to apply for this studentship.

Funding Details

The studentship will cover fees at the UK rate plus the standard maintenance stipend (£18,622 per year tax-free in 2023/24).

Deadline: January 15^th 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in late January.

Background

Dr Jonathan Ward is a Lecturer in Chemistry at Lancaster University with an interest in the synthesis and application of π-conjugated molecules, designing molecules to exhibit useful photophysical properties for application in optoelectronics, photocatalysis and molecular electronics. For further information on Dr Ward’s research please see Ward Chemistry Group and Jonathan's staff profile.

Molecules used to emit light within electronic devices are now incredibly efficient i.e., when electrically excited they almost always then emit light.

A major challenge is that the way these molecules are arranged within a device strongly influences the direction in which light is delivered. The light delivered at the wrong angle wastes energy as it does not exist a device and generates heat. Controlling the orientation of molecules and their emission directionality within devices is often an ‘afterthought’ rather than prior intentional design.

Being able to precisely control the arrangement of molecules is therefore an important opportunity for improving light-emitting device efficiency and the strategies would be useful in many other applications. The available PhD project will deliver new molecules to tackle this important challenge.

Project description

A 3.5-year Faculty of Science PhD position is available at Lancaster University in the Department of Chemistry synthesising and applying self-assembling fluorescent molecules.

The overarching goal of this PhD project is to deliver a strategy to control the orientation of molecules and their resulting emission directionality using intelligent molecular design and on-surface assembly.

This is an interdisciplinary project where the successful candidate will be focused on the organic synthesis of several series of surface-binding fluorescent small molecules that are designed to form self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Molecules prepared will be assembled and analysed on surface substrates both in chemistry and through collaboration with the Physics Department. Detailed spectroscopic analysis of prepared samples will also take place. The molecular packing in the emissive SAMs they prepare will be used to influence the orientation of the molecules on the surface, which will control the transition dipole moment (TDM) direction, a key property that determines the 3D trajectory of emission following photonic/electrical excitation.

The PhD candidate will receive comprehensive training in the organic synthesis of a range of emissive small molecule π-systems. This covers multi-step synthesis involving several air-sensitive steps and rigorous end-step purification required for fluorescent measurements. Through collaborations with the Physics department (Dr Benjamin Robinson, Dr Sam Jarvis) the candidate will be able to access additional facilities and assemble and characterize their SAMs learning from expert groups. The student will also be trained on the spectroscopic instruments in chemistry to characterise their fluorescent materials. The student will receive further training on time management, writing and presentation skills and will assist in the development of research manuscripts. By the end of the PhD, the candidate will have developed a strong background in synthetic materials chemistry with appropriate complementary experience in physical characterisation.

Requirements

Applicants will hold, or expect to receive, a 1st class or 2:1 UK Master's or BSc degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, or Natural Science and possess theoretical and practical skills commensurate with a science-based undergraduate degree programme. Candidates with a 2:2 may be considered if they can demonstrate excellent research skills in their application and references.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong interest in the synthesis and structural/physical characterisation of fluorescent molecules, enthusiasm to work in a laboratory environment, willingness to learn, a collaborative attitude, and will possess good written and oral communication skills.

How to apply (Please read carefully)

Dr Jonathan Ward welcomes informal email enquiries before applying (j.ward10@lancaster.ac.uk). Please note that we cannot receive applications by email as they must be processed centrally.

Applications should be made via Lancaster University’s online application system.

Please indicate on your application that you are applying for this funded PhD project by declaring the title of the advertisement where prompted. You may use the project description as your research proposal to apply for this studentship.

Funding Details

The studentship will cover fees at the UK rate plus the standard maintenance stipend.

It may also fully or partially contribute to the fees and stipend of a self-funded international candidate, though it is advised that you enquire regarding this before applying.

Deadline: 19^th January 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in early February 2024.

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, and the position may be filled when a suitable candidate has been identified ahead of the deadline.

Background

There is a constant demand for original, more potent drugs to target new and old diseases. Natural products remain a good source of pharmaceuticals, but their availability is limited in many cases. Consequently, the development of new methodologies and innovative drug design to generate libraries of potential lead compounds is of crucial importance and one of the frontier challenges of chemistry in the 21^st century.

More than 85% of all biologically-active chemical entities contain an heterocycle. In particular, nitrogen-containing heterocycles are one of the most privileged structures in drug development and present in >60% of FDA approved pharmaceuticals. Therefore, reactions that allow different bond forming strategies for the development of innovative heterocyclic syntheses giving rapid access to a wide variety of nitrogen-heterocyclic compounds are of critical importance.

Single metal catalytic methodologies for the synthesis of carbocycles are nowadays commonly utilized during drug discovery programmes. However, the chemical space covered by single metal catalysis is still limited mainly to C-C bond forming reaction.

Inspired by the superior activity and selectivity of metalloenzymes, in which catalytic sites are commonly constituted by two metals operating cooperatively, bimetallic catalysis strategies have appeared in recent years as strong alternatives to single metal catalysis. Bimetallic catalysis has been widely developed in the heterogeneous phase, with important applications in industry. However, homogeneous bimetallic catalysis is still in its infancy, in particular the combination of platinum and gold has barely been explored.

In this area, the Muñoz group has pioneered the use of Pt-Au bimetallic catalysis for the addition of heterocyclic carbon (e.g. indole, pyrrol) and nitrogen nucleophiles (e.g. azoles) to allenes. Using both metals, new reaction pathways were uncovered involving C-C and C-N bond cascade processes (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 4742; ChemCatChem 2018, 10, 2646; Org. Lett. 2019, 21, 7639).

The key feature was found to be the increased reactivity of bimetallic intermediates (e.g. Pt-Au-carbenes) towards N-nucleophiles, which was unprecedented for single metal carbenes and gave access to relevant N-heterocyclic scaffolds for drug discovery in a straight forward efficient manner.

Project description

A 3.5 year Faculty of Science funded PhD position is available in the group of Dr M. Paz Muñoz at Lancaster University in the area of organobimetallic catalysis, starting in October 2024.

The project aims to explore the enhanced reactivity of Pt-Au bimetallic carbenes to expand new drug-relevant chemical space towards robust N-heterocyclic complex structures relevant to pharmaceutical industry.

Specific objectives will be the application of Pt-Au bimetallic catalysis strategies to a range of organic reactions that are known to work under gold single metal catalysis and gold carbene as intermediates in order to improve efficiency of the reactions and to expand the scope towards new reactions with N-heterocycles.

Mechanistic studies to identify the active Pt-Au bimetallic species will be carried out, and the information from these studies will be used to design and synthesise novel Pt-Au complexes to be tested as new catalysts and compared with “in situ” generated bimetallic species.

Expansion of the bimetallic methodology to more complex starting materials containing N-heterocycles, will be attempted. The potential biological activity of the new compounds will be tested in collaboration with groups at Lancaster (Dr A. Fielding at BLS), nationally (Dr Z. Waller at UCL) and internationally (COADD in Australia).

[Skills to be developed by the student]

The project combines classic organic chemistry for the synthesis of starting materials, with inorganic synthesis of bimetallic complexes, and organometallic catalysis. Training objectives within the project are to improve skills in synthetic laboratory techniques and characterisation of organic and inorganic compounds (NMR, MS, X-Ray), as well as learning new techniques in organometallic (Schlenk) catalysis, but also in physical organic chemistry (e.g. isotopic labelling, reaction monitoring). Introduction to medicinal chemistry and training on cell viability assays will be available through collaborators. The student will be encouraged to develop their own ideas within the research project and to communicate their results in weekly meetings with the supervisor. The student will participate in preparation of papers for publication and present their work in departmental, national and international meetings. The student will join fortnightly group meetings and additional departmental problem sessions. These occasions provide an excellent opportunity for teaching and discussing chemistry and developing research ideas for the future. The student will have access to a range of graduate skills training courses run by Lancaster University (e.g. project management, improved presentations), and to peer mentoring.

Requirements

Applicants will hold, or expect to receive, a 1st class or 2:1 UK Master's or BSc degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, or related discipline and possess theoretical and practical skills commensurate with a science-based undergraduate degree programme. Candidates with a 2:2 may be considered if they can demonstrate excellent research skills in their application and references.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong background in synthetic organic-organometallic chemistry and interest in physical organic chemistry, enthusiasm to work in a laboratory environment, willingness to learn, a collaborative attitude, and will possess good written and oral communication skills.

How to apply (Please read carefully)

Dr M. Paz Muñoz welcomes informal email enquiries before submitting an application (m.munoz-herranz@lancaster.ac.uk). Please note that we cannot receive applications by email as they must be processed centrally.

Applications should be made via Lancaster University’s online application system.

Please indicate on your application that you are applying for this funded PhD project by declaring the title of the advertisement where prompted. You may use the project description as your research proposal to apply for this studentship.

Funding Details

The studentship will cover fees at the UK rate plus the standard maintenance stipend.

It may also fully or partially contribute to the fees and stipend of a self-funded international candidate, though it is advised that you enquire regarding this before applying.

Deadline

Deadline 22^nd January 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in early February.

Background

Nothing travels faster than light, and non-linear optical (NLO) materials that manipulate laser light are vital to current high-speed optical telecommunications, future optical or electro-optical computing, and a host of other applications. While most NLO materials in current use are extended, solid-state inorganic structures, there is a longstanding interest in molecular organic and metallo-organic chromophores, because they promise stronger, faster responses and more synthetic tuneability. However, such molecular chromophores face challenges in obtaining the optimal combination of activity and transparency, translating molecular performance into bulk materials, and engineering switched responses that could enable optical transistors.

This project is led by Dr John Fielden, whose group is interested in the synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical properties of new molecular inorganic compounds, and their application in fields ranging from non-linear optics to energy conversion, biological imaging and detection. A strong focus is the development of NLO chromophores based on polyoxometalates (POMs): a class of nanoscale multimetallic metal oxo clusters that we derivatise with organic groups. The resulting hybrid “POMophores” combine strong, fast NLO responses with the high transparency needed for efficient, stable devices (Inorg Chem. 2017, 56, 10181) and a facility to switch properties through external (redox) stimuli (Angew Chem Int Ed 2023, 62, e202215537). In this project, we will address the next challenge - their assembly into bulk materials with potential for application – by constructing oriented thin films of POMophores on conductive surfaces.

Project description

A 3.5 year Faculty of Science-funded PhD position in synthetic chemistry is available at Lancaster University, working on organic-inorganic hybrid materials.

The aim is to make new redox and/or photo-switchable non-linear optical (NLO) materials through surface functionalisation with polyoxometalate-based charge transfer chromophores (POMophores). At the molecular level, we have shown that such POMophores combine high NLO activity, high visible transparency and the facility for switched responses – this project will take the vital first steps towards bulk materials with potential for application in devices. It will first design and synthesize new POMophores designed to functionalise flat conductive surfaces and investigate their assembly into oriented layers. Subsequently, it will study the non-linear optical and fluorescence responses of these layers and our ability to switch them through redox or light stimulus. Characterisation of the new POMophores and resulting materials will involve collaborations both at Lancaster, and beyond (Prof. Koen Clays, KU Leuven).

As it builds from the synthesis of molecules to the characterisation of materials, the project will provide a broad-based training in a well-equipped, multi-investigator research space. This starts with molecular inorganic and organic synthesis, including handling of air and moisture-sensitive reagents (Schlenk technique), and a full range of molecular characterisation techniques (NMR & IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography). As it progresses, it will also involve surface characterisation (e.g. SEM, XPS), physical characterisation methods – electrochemistry, UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, spectroelectrochemistry and measurement of NLO effects (for example, hyper-Rayleigh Scattering). The students will also benefit from regularly presenting their work, helping prepare publications, and from access to a range of graduate skills training courses provided by Lancaster University.

Requirements

Applicants will hold, or expect to receive, a 1st class or 2:1 UK Master's or BSc degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, or a closely related discipline and possess theoretical and practical skills commensurate with a science-based undergraduate degree programme. Candidates with a 2:2 may be considered if they can demonstrate excellent research skills in their application and references.

The successful candidate will combine a strong interest in synthetic inorganic and organic materials chemistry, with curiosity about physical properties and the willingness to learn and apply multiple photophysical and other measurement techniques. They will also have an enthusiasm for work in a laboratory environment, a collaborative attitude, and excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

How to apply (Please read carefully)

Dr John Fielden welcomes informal email enquiries before submitting an application (J.Fielden@Lancaster.ac.uk). Please note that we cannot receive applications by email as they must be processed centrally.

Applications should be made via Lancaster University’s online application system.

Please indicate on your application that you are applying for this funded PhD project by declaring the title of the advertisement where prompted. You may use the project description as your research proposal to apply for this studentship.

Funding Details

The studentship will cover fees at the UK rate plus the standard maintenance stipend.

It may also fully or partially contribute to the fees and stipend of a self-funded international candidate, though it is advised that you enquire regarding this before applying.

Deadline

19^th January 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in early February.

Please note that we cannot receive applications by email as they must be processed centrally.

Applications should be made via Lancaster University’s online application system.

Please indicate on your application that you are applying for this funded PhD project by declaring the title of the advertisement where prompted. You may use the project description as your research proposal to apply for this studentship.

Project description

Lancaster University and Jaguar Land Rover are pleased to offer a fully-funded 3.5-year PhD position focused on the development of electrically switchable glazing for electric vehicles.

The research aims to develop new technologies for vehicle glazing which can switch between transmissive and partially reflective states to modulate heat absorption within the cabin. This will reduce the load on the batteries powering the vehicle leading to extended range. The PhD project would suit candidates with interests in functional materials, materials chemistry, electrochemistry and green technology.

The project will be hosted by Dr Xiao Hua (Xiaohua group) at the Department of Chemistry, Lancaster University, whose work centres on developing novel energy materials and understanding their intricate structure-property relationships for the applications in batteries, photovoltaics and catalysis.

In addition to receiving a full funding package (£18,622 p/a), including a competitive stipend and support for travel and research expenses, the successful candidate will also have the opportunity to gain valuable experience through interaction with Jaguar Land Rover.

Requirements

Applicants will hold a 1st class or 2:1 UK Master's or BSc degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Engineering, or Natural Science and possess theoretical and practical skills commensurate with a science or engineering-based undergraduate degree programme. Candidates with a 2:2 may be considered if they can demonstrate excellent research skills in their application and references.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong interest in electrochemistry, experimental physical and synthetic chemistry, enthusiasm to work in a laboratory environment, willingness to learn, a collaborative attitude, and will possess good written and oral communication skills.

How to apply (Please read carefully)

It is encouraged to send informal email enquiries before submitting an application (x.hua1@lancaster.ac.uk). But please note that we cannot receive applications by email as they must be processed centrally.

Applications should be made via Lancaster University’s online application system.

Please indicate on your application that you are applying for this funded PhD project by declaring the title of the advertisement where prompted. You may use the project description as your research proposal to apply for this studentship.

Funding Details

The studentship will cover fees at the UK rate. It may also partially contribute to the fees and stipend of a self-funded international candidate, though it is advised that you enquire regarding this before applying.

Deadline: 15^th January 2024.

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, and the position may be filled when a suitable candidate has been identified ahead of the deadline.