Postgraduate Project in the development of supramolecular systems to act as novel weapons in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

A PhD position is available in the field of supramolecular chemistry and drug/therapeutic agent development.
By 2050 it has been predicted that more people per year will die from antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections than cancer. The aim of this PhD project is to design and synthesize novel, next-generation Supramolecular Self-associating Amphiphiles (SSAs) that demonstrate antimicrobial activity. You will then characterise the self-associative properties of these next-generation SSAs in the solution state (using NMR, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, tensiometry, fluorescence, UV-Vis and microscopy techniques), solid state (using X-ray diffraction and/or rheometry techniques as appropriate), gas phase (using high resolution mass spectrometry) and in silico (using slow level computational modelling). Finally, you will then determine the antimicrobial activity of your next-generation SSAs, using this information to derive molecular structure-physical property-antimicrobial activity relationships that will enable further informed SSA design.

The successful candidate will be based at the University of Kent’s main campus in Canterbury as part of the Supramolecular, Interfacial and Synthetic Chemistry (SISC) Group, and work under the supervision of J. Hiscock (Kent).

This PhD project is due to start in September 2020.

Entry requirements: Applicants should have or expect to obtain a first or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in chemistry or a related subject. This project is available to both UK and EU nationals and will involve undertaking teaching/demonstrating duties during the period of study.

Webpage(s): https://www.kent.ac.uk/physical-sciences/people/1318/www.kent.ac.uk/physical-sciences/people/1318/hiscock-jennifer
Twitter: @jenniferhiscoc2

Contact: For further information or informal enquiries, please contact Dr. Jennifer R. Hiscock at [Email Address Removed].
How to Apply: : To apply please go to [https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/18/chemistry] /

You will need to apply through the online application form on the main University website. Please note that you will be expected to provide personal details, education and employment history and supporting documentation (Curriculum Vitae, transcript of results, two academic references).

Deadline Date for Applications: 20/04/2020
Interviews to be held between: 11/05/2020 and 25/05/2020