Many important reactions and processes in chemistry and biochemistry are started by light. A photon of light interacts with a molecule, or part of a molecule, known as a chromophore generating an excited state in which an electron is promoted into a higher energy orbital. This excited state molecule can re-emit light or react with other molecules or pass energy or electron(s) to other molecules or parts of molecules. Studying the excited states that are formed and the resulting states or products after excitation is important for understanding reaction mechanisms.
Magnetic Resonance (MR) methods, including Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), are ideal techniques for studying both the excited states formed directly after illumination and for following the resulting reactions and processes as they progress. Magnetic resonance is a non-invasive method that can be combined with in-situ illumination of the sample during measurement.
In this project we will aim to use and develop light activated MR methods for studying optically excited molecular systems and the reactions they are involved in. It will involve an exciting combination of experimental spectroscopy, computational modelling and equipment development. EPR and NMR are complimentary techniques with EPR being used to study systems with unpaired electrons, including optically generated triplet states and reaction intermediates, and NMR being used to study closed shell molecules.
While the technique of EPR is older than that of NMR, the development of EPR has been slower due to the higher frequencies required; GHz for EPR vs MHz for NMR. In this project we aim to adapt methods currently used in NMR and apply them to EPR. This could include modifying EPR experiments to use pulse types and sequences commonly used in NMR, but yet to be fully explored in optically activated pulsed EPR, to improve the quality of data obtained in the EPR experiment. These types of sequence will be important for experiments on optically activated triplet states as their spectra are very broad and the NMR pulse types are designed to excite broad spectra. This work builds on existing EPR methods such as J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2021, 12, 15, 3819–3826, where the interaction between EPR active centres was used to directly determine structural information about the system. Methods developed could be used to study many different systems ranging from biologically interesting protein structures to molecules that might be candidate building blocks for molecular Quantum Information Processing.
Additionally, we would like to explore illumination methodologies optimised for NMR that have shown a large increase in the amount of light entering the sample (Communications Chemistry, 2022, 5, 90) and apply these to EPR. This part of the project could involve the development of a novel Light Emitting Diode.
(LED) illumination arrangements for EPR and the application of this to following chemical reactions in-situ, comparing results from both EPR and NMR applications.
The direction of the project can be driven by the interests of the student appointed and it will suit a student with interests in spectroscopy, analytical and physical methods with a background in Chemistry, Physics or Natural Sciences. In addition, they types of systems studied with the methodology developed could be either biochemical or chemical depending on the interest of the student. Opportunities to be involved in the preparation or synthesis of these systems embedded in the group of a collaborator could also be provided.
The University of Manchester is a fantastic location for MR research, with unique state-of-the-art facilities. Within the Photon Science Institute is housed the EPSRC funded National Research Facility for EPR (https://www.chemistry.manchester.ac.uk/epr/), of which Dr Bowen is a member, and the department of chemistry has excellent facilities for chemical and biochemical NMR (https://www.chemistry.manchester.ac.uk/research/facilities/nmr-laboratory/) and a large world-leading NMR methodology group (https://www.nmr.chemistry.manchester.ac.uk/), of which Prof. Nilsson is a member.
Information on the supervisory team can be found here:
Dr Alice Bowen: https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/alice.bowen
Prof. Mathias Nilsson: https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/mathias.nilsson
Dr Alexander Golovanov: https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/a.golovanov
Informal enquiries should be addressed to [Email Address Removed].
The duration of the PhD is 3.5 years. The proposed start date is in the autumn 2023. We will advertise this until the position is filled.
Eligibility
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.
How to apply
To be considered formally for this project you’ll need to complete a formal application through our online application portal.
When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.
Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing [Email Address Removed].
Before you apply
Please contact [Email Address Removed] for informal discussions before you apply with a curriculum vitae.
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).
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