A PhD position is available in the group of Professor John Bower at the University of Liverpool (https://bowerresearchgroup.wordpress.com/). The position is funded for 3.5 years and will start in October 2023. The project is sponsored by AstraZeneca, and will include a three month placement at one of their sites. Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor John Bower ([Email Address Removed]).
The research project: The project will involve the development of by-product free enantioselective C-C cross-coupling reactions for use in pharmaceutical development and natural product synthesis. The research will encompass synthetic methodology development (including multi-step synthesis), organometallic chemistry, and physical organic chemistry. There is also the option of applying the chemistry in target directed synthesis. The successful applicant will receive high level training in compound characterisation (NMR analysis etc.), theory/mechanism and transferable skills (e.g. presentations and report writing).
The successful candidate: We seek a highly motivated individual, who has performed strongly at undergraduate level and envisages pursuing a career in chemical research.
The group environment: The group’s research portfolio encompasses multiple themes, which are all broadly directed at the development of efficient new methods for organic synthesis. In each area we have made high level contributions, and this is reflected in the quality of the group’s publication output (see: https://bowerresearchgroup.wordpress.com/publications/).
The group is exceptionally well equipped and funded. We are housed in the
recently refurbished and state of the art “Regius Laboratory for Synthetic
Chemistry”. The laboratory contains 22 custom designed fume cupboards equipped
with digitally controlled three stage vacuum systems, Schlenk lines and digital
work stations. The laboratory also houses high quality instrumentation and
equipment, including a cryogenic reaction station, automated purification
systems, a glovebox, an SFC for chiral analysis, a semi-preparative HPLC, and a
GCMS. A virtual walk through is available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhHhEOaPrP4&feature=youtu.be. Our
activities are supported by a recently upgraded cryoprobe-equipped 500 MHz NMR
instrument. The group consists of an international mix of highly motivated
postdoctoral researchers and PhD students. The group environment is stimulating, supportive and collegiate. The majority of graduating PhD students move onto high level postdoctoral positions or research jobs in pharmaceutical/agrochemical companies.
The department: REF2021 ranked Liverpool Chemistry in the top 10 in the UK for world leading (4*) research and environment, and 3rd in the UK for world leading (4*) impact. We have the largest graduate school within the University of Liverpool with over 150 full-time graduate students currently registered. The Department’s research interests are many and varied, spanning the entire range of chemistry from theoretical solid-state studies to synthetic work at the biological interface. There are strong interdisciplinary interactions both within Chemistry and across the campus, for example in the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy (SIRE) and the Materials Innovation Factory (MIF).
Please provide the names and e-mail addresses of two referees.https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/.
Please ensure you include the project title in your online application, and quote reference CCPR0054. Enquiries should be directed to Professor John Bower ([Email Address Removed])