Functional Materials and Metal complexes for oxygen sensing and hypoxia imaging: synthesis, characterization and cellular imaging applications

A fully funded 3 year PhD studentship in synthetic inorganic, organic and supramolecular chemistry is available under the supervision of Dr Sofia Pascu at the Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, commencing October 2015.
The studentship will involve the design, synthesis and study of novel nanoparticles and metal complexes of relevance to hypoxia sensing and imaging for prostate cancer diagnosis using Positron Emission Tomography.
The project will involve rationally designed ligand synthesis, linker stratergies and antibodies functionalisation to construct highly kinetically stable systems. Analytical chemistry and biochemistry assays and cellular imaging experiments will be carried out to determine binding interactions with cells.
We work closely with life sciences specialists and molecular imaging experts at the Research Complex at Harwell, Imperial College London Hammersmith Hospital as well as within the University of Bath, due to close links with the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacollogy.
The PhD student will work within a multidisciplinary team funded via the European Commission, ERC Consolidator Grant O2SENSE led by Dr Pascu. The student will receive training and gain expertise in both of these areas of practical scientific investigation (chemistry and molecular imaging) and extensive training will also be provided for all biological assays involved.

Enthusiasm to work in a synthetic chemistry laboratory environment with a strong focus on inorganic and organic chemistry, willingness to engage and train in cells culturing, cellular imaging assays and cytotoxicity assays, the ability to learn by tuition and independently as well as the possession of excellent written and oral communications skills are all essential.

Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a 1st class or good 2:1 Masters-level degree or equivalent in Chemistry. Applications should be made via University’s Graduate school applications button below.

Informal email enquiries prior to making an application are encouraged (contact Dr Pascu at [Email Address Removed]).

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