We seek a creative, independent, PhD student to work in the Surman Lab (surmanlab.com) at KCL Chemistry.
Our world is made with chemical catalysis, to facilitate and guide efficient transformation of raw materials to useful products. A most important aspect of catalysis is selectivity: the ability to guide a reaction ‘cleanly’ to a single desired result, rather than many different products. In an ideal world, all catalysis would be economic and sustainable, selectively guiding reactions to a single result (important both for purity/safety and resource-efficiency). In reality, industrial catalysts tend to fall into two categories: reasonably selective (BUT expensive, using metals like palladium which are depleting even faster than oil), or poorly selective (BUT cheap and sustainable).
This project aims at ‘the best of both worlds’: exploring new/under-developed approaches to achieve selective transformation with cheap sustainable classes of catalysts by incorporating them into modular catalytic systems. It will build on successful (so far unpublished) proof-of-concept work carried out within our lab over recent years, imparting regio- and stereo-selectivity to previously unselective systems.
To achieve this, the project encompasses synthesis (substrates, supramolecular ‘hosts’, and potentially catalytic materials) and catalytic method development, as well as characterisation (nature, strength, and kinetics) of the non-covalent interactions which mediate selectivity, and potentially automation of some of these activities. In addition, we are exploring collaboration with computational colleagues, requiring the acquisition of larger volumes of binding data, so the candidate may engage with automation of data acquisition (instruments, pipetting, etc) and data processing.
Prospective candidates should have a 1st or 2:1 M-level qualification in Chemistry, or a related programme (i.e. one providing skills appropriate to working safely in a wet chemistry lab).
We’re a small, friendly, research group (surmanlab.com), and welcome eligible applicants from any personal background who are pleased to join a diverse group of scientists. Preference will be given to candidates open to this atmosphere, with experience in some of the following:
· Catalytic method development.
· Organic Synthesis (e.g. Supramolecular hosts)
· Characterisation of non-covalent interactions (e.g. specialist NMR, modelling titration data, ITC, etc).
· Materials Synthesis and characterisation (e.g. heterogenous catalysts)
· Automation of sample prep (e.g liquid handlers), data acquisition (instrumental) and processing (scripting/programming), and lab-based ‘tinkering’ (3D printing, CNC, Arduinos).
· A track-record of problem-solving, independence, and perseverance: in the chemical research lab and in any other sphere.
A PhD studentship is to learn and ‘ticking all these boxes’ is not a requirement. Informal email enquiries to Dr Surman are welcomed at [Email Address Removed].
Note: Please read carefully the eligibility criteria on nationality/residence before considering application. These are funder requirements, not under our control. While we can’t take ineligible students for this project, we are always open to enthusiastic new colleague who can identify suitable funding sources (see surmanlab.com for guidance on how to approach this).
Application Procedure:
To be considered for the position candidates must apply via King’s Apply online application system. Details are available at Postgraduate taught and research courses | Department of Chemistry | King’s College London (kcl.ac.uk)
Please indicate your desired supervisor and quote research group group name in your application and all correspondence.
The selection process will involve a pre-selection on documents, if selected this will be followed by an invitation to an interview. If successful at the interview, an offer will be provided in due time.
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