Ammonium removal from waste-water – gaining insight from electrochemical studies of anammox cytochromes

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) is attracting much interest at present. The reaction, whereby ammonium and nitrite are converted to nitrogen gas, is catalysed by a specialised group of planctomycete-like bacteria. It accounts for significant nitrogen-losses from marine environments and makes a valuable contribution to the treatment of ammonium rich waste-waters. Despite the environmental and societal importance of anammox, the enzymology underpinning the process is unclear. This project will address this situation by applying a combination of electrochemical and spectroscopic methods to elucidate structural and catalytic features of heme-containing proteins that underpin anammox activity. The project will be performed in collaboration with the groups of Jan Keltjens and Mike Jetten (Nijmegen, NL).

Talented and motivated students with a passionate commitment to research and a background in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry or biological sciences are invited to apply.

Entry requirements: the standard minimum entry requirement is 2:1 in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Environmental Sciences