Heterogeneous Catalysis - Catalytic oxidation in the liquid phase.

The Cardiff Catalysis Institute is looking to recruit a new PhD student. Applicants should have a good degree in Chemistry, or a related relevant subject, should be self-motivated and demonstrate a keen aptitude for research.

Catalysis is of crucial importance for the manufacture of the goods and infrastructure necessary for the effective wellbeing of society. Catalysis, and in particular selective redox catalysis, continues to play a key role in the manufacture of chemical intermediates and there is a continuing requirement to design new effective redox catalysts. The identification that gold in nanoparticulate form is an exceptionally effective redox catalyst has paved the way for a new class of active catalysts. Alloying gold with other metals can enhance the activity and these catalysts are effective for the oxidation of alcohols and hydrocarbons as well as the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide. In this project the use of gold as a catalyst for selective oxidation in the liquid phase will be explored using biorenewable molecules as substrates.

Academic criteria: Applicants should have at least a 2.1 undergraduate degree in Chemistry or a closely related discipline appropriate for heterogeneous catalysis research.

For more information about the Cardiff Catalysis Institute please look at our website:
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/cardiff-catalysis-institute/home

The deadline for applications is 31st July 2016 for an October 2016 start date. A 1st July 2016 start will also be considered for early applicants.

Cardiff University reserves the right to close applications early should sufficient applications be received.