PhD Studentship in Metallo-DNA materials: Coordination and supramolecular polymer approach

Number of awards:
1

Start date and duration:
September 2019 for 36 months.

Overview:
A three year (UK/EU) funded studentship is available in the area of DNA-based coordination chemistry. We have recently developed metal-nucleoside chemistry that provides DNA-like coordination and supramolecular polymers that exhibit a range of useful properties, such as electrical conduction, luminescence, self-healing etc (Figure).[Nature Commun. 2017, 8, 720; https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-017-00852-6; Chemical Science, 2019, https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2019/SC/C8SC05103H#!divAbstract] Further, we and others have also shown that such metal-containing motifs can be incorporated, site-specifically, into natural DNA structures and provides a novel approach to the functionalisation of this uniquely important biopolymer. The exploration and development of these concepts will be the focus of the PhD project.

The studentship offers an outstanding opportunity to work alongside experienced researchers on a cutting-edge research topic. The student will join a team of PDRA/PhD/MSc researchers and has the opportunity to work with external collaborators. Applications from highly qualified and motivated students are welcome.

Sponsor:
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/nes/)

Name of supervisor(s)
Professor Andrew Houlton (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/nes/staff/profile/andrewhoulton.html#background) and Dr Benjamin Horrocks (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/nes/staff/profile/benhorrocks.html#background).

Eligibility Criteria:
A degree in Chemistry or related subject at 2(i) level or above is normally required.

The award is available to UK/EU applicants only.

How to apply
You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system (https://ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply). To do this please ‘Create a new account’.

The following information will help us to process your application. You will need to:

Insert the programme code 8100F in the programme of study section
Select PhD Chemistry (full time) Chemistry as the programme of study
Insert the studentship code NES015 in the studentship/partnership reference field
Attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code NES015 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
Attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.