Duration: 3 years, start date 1 October 2021.
A PhD studentship is available to investigate the use of Ionic Liquids (ILs) for the clearance of neurotoxins and other highly toxic chemicals from the environment.
The project is a collaboration between Prof Tom Welton (Imperial College London), Prof Patricia Hunt (Victoria University of Wellington, NZ) and Dr Charles Romain (Imperial College London) and will involve a combination of theoretical (ab initio) and experimental (synthesis and physical organic) chemistry. The project is part of the broader National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards.
Both the detection of and protection from highly toxic agents has become more urgent as demonstrated by recent events such as the Salisbury chemical attack. Agents can be highly volatile and non-persistent (e.g. sarin) or have lower volatility and only partial water solubility creating more persistent hazards (e.g. mustard gases). New systems that can be used to safely clear chemical warfare agents (CWAs) from the environment are urgently required. ILs are efficient in detecting and absorbing gases and liquids present in low concentrations. Selected ILs also suppress solute vapour production leading to safer handling. ILs have also been shown to accelerate the rates of chemical reactions, providing the possibility to enhance the decomposition of agents but our understanding of these mechanisms is lacking.
In this project, we will seek to understand how ionic liquid-solute interactions can be manipulated to create solutions for the detection and destruction of highly toxic agents. We will combine computational and experimental techniques to (i) identify the mechanism of solvation and decomposition of the agents and their low-toxicity simulants in known ILs; (ii) design and test in silico novel ILs with simulants and toxic agents to improve containment and facilitate analytical processing; (iii) design and test in silico novel ILs with simulants and CWA to enhance decomposition rates and promote generation of nontoxic degradation products.
The applicant should have an interest in both theoretical and experimental chemistry and a willingness to learn techniques of both. The project will be based in the Department of Chemistry at Imperial College London, but with time spent at Victoria University of Wellington, NZ.
How to Apply: Interested candidates are encouraged to make informal contact with Prof. Tom Welton ([Email Address Removed]) enclosing a CV and a cover letter. We particularly encourage applications from women and underrepresented ethnic minority groups.
Closing date: Monday 1st March 2021
Interview: Interviews for short-listed candidates will be online and are expected to be in March 2021
Committed to equality and valuing diversity. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Two Ticks Employer and are working in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people. The Department of Chemistry is an Athena Gold Swan Award Winner.
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