The closing date for this project is 30 August 2021. However, if a suitable candidate is found before this date, then the position will be offered and no further applications will be considered. INTERESTED APPLICANTS ARE THEREFORE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
The oxygenation of organic compounds presents an ongoing challenge to synthetic chemistry as conventional reagents present difficulties with toxicity, harsh conditions and poor selectivity. Enzymatic oxygenations, by contrast, present many advantages with respect to both sustainability and selectivity. The discovery of fungal unspecific peroxygenases (UPOs), has identified new possibilities for scaleable biocatalytic oxygenations. UPOs catalyze selective oxygenations using only hydrogen peroxide, without the need for cofactors or electron transport proteins. They exhibit high turnovers, superior stability and can be produced in large amounts amenable to lyophilization, giving easy-to-use biocatalysts. In a previous project, we developed a robust system for the expression of AaeUPO from Agrocybe aegerita in Pichia pastoris and applied it to the oxygenation of a preliminary series of compound classes. With Syngenta as a project partner, we now aim to explore the potential of UPOs with further studies on homologs and engineered enzymes, with a focus on the Green Oxygenation of Agrochemical Intermediates.
This interdisciplinary project, which is funded by the EPSRC and Syngenta, involves molecular biology and synthetic and analytical chemistry. The student will learn basic molecular biology skills in gene cloning, expression, protein purification and enzyme assay in the lab of Professor Gideon Grogan and also techniques in Pichia fermentation. In addition, they will learn synthetic organic chemistry and analytical skills in the lab of Dr William Unsworth. Training will also include courses from the Innovative Doctoral Training in Chemistry (iDTC) programme in the Chemistry Department at York, cohort-based training to support the development of scientific, transferable and employability skills: https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/postgraduate/idtc/ . Further training will be offered by Syngenta as part of a 3-month placement. The student will also attend relevant problem sessions, literature groups, and group meetings; these will provide opportunities for the student to present and discuss their work with a broad cross-section of scientists.
The Department of Chemistry holds an Athena SWAN Gold Award and is committed to supporting equality and diversity for all staff and students. The Department strives to provide a working environment which allows all staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish, and to excel: https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/ed/. This PhD project is available to study full-time or part-time (50%) unless you require a student visa to study in the UK when you should check the restrictions of your visa as it is very likely you will have to study full time.
This PhD will formally start on 1 October 2021. Induction activities will start on 27 September.
For more information about the project, click on the supervisor’s name above to email the supervisor. For more information about the application process or funding, please click on email institution.
HOW TO APPLY: Please see website for details: https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/postgraduate/apply/#tab-1
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