Synthesis of Biodegradable and Functionalisable Polyesters for the delivery of active ingredients

Applications are invited for an EPSRC fully funded studentship 3.5 years within the Faculty of Science at the School of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham. The student will work with an interdisciplinary supervisory team with expertise in polymer synthesis and modifications, drug and active delivery and 3D-printing.

 The overwhelming majority of commercial polymeric excipients are derived from petrochemical sources and lack the versatility needed to be exploited by emerging areas of commercial importance. Historically, the drug-delivery field has made only limited efforts towards green synthetic strategies and miniaturised, low-wastage formulation screening. Now, there is a real drive towards developing scalable transformations to exploit natural resources and waste into truly sustainable polymers

To tackle this lack of available “smart” materials, we will exploit natural multifunctional building blocks, developing a library of renewable and degradable polymers with highly tuneable functionalities. All of this will be done using green and selective catalysts.

These sustainable polymers will be tested as polymeric (nano) delivery devices, to encapsulate active ingredients (AIs) using a miniaturised approach to eliminate waste.

This studentship is an exciting research collaboration between Chemistry (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry/), Centre for Additive Manufacturing (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/cfam/) and the School of Pharmacy (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pharmacy/). You should have knowledge of synthetic chemistry and/or polymer synthesis and characterisation. You will have access to equipment and expertise at the forefront of synthetic chemistry, materials analysis, electron microscopy, 3D printing.

Eligibility

•   Due to funding restrictions, the position is only available for UK candidates

•   Candidates must possess or expect to obtain, an MSci or MChem degree or BSc plus MSci or MRes     2:1 or first-class degree in Chemistry or a related discipline.

•   PhD start date by mutual agreement

How to apply 

To apply, students should initially contact Dr Vincenzo Taresco (vincenzo.taresco@nottingham.ac.uk), after which a formal application can be made via the University web site at: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/how-to-apply/apply-online.aspx

Closing date: applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is appointed.

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr. Vincenzo Taresco, e-mail: vincenzo.taresco@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.