Total synthesis of complex natural products using electrophilic amination methodology

This position will remain open until a suitable candidate has been found and so early applications are encouraged.

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 2022. Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor John Bower ([Email Address Removed]).

The research project: The project will involve the total synthesis of complex alkaloid natural products using methodology developed in the group. The successful applicant will receive high level training in a range of areas, including: multistep organic synthesis, compound characterisation (NMR analysis etc.), theory/mechanism and transferable skills (e.g. presentations and report writing). For publications relevant to this project see:

1.           B. T. Jones, J. García-Cárceles, L. Caiger, I. R. Hazelden, R. J. Lewis, T. Langer and J. F. Bower; Complex polyheterocycles and the stereochemical reassignment of pileamartine A via aza-Heck triggered aryl C-H functionalization cascades. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 15593-15598.

2.           X. Ma, I. R. Hazelden, T. Langer, R. H. Munday and J. F. Bower; Enantioselective aza-Heck cyclizations of N-(tosyloxy)carbamates: synthesis of pyrrolidines and piperidines. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 3356-3360.

3.           J. J. Farndon, T. A. Young and J. F. Bower; Stereospecific alkene aziridination using a bifunctional amino-reagent: an aza-Prilezhaev reaction. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2018, 140, 17846-17850.

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 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: In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework assessment of all academic research activity in the UK, the Department of Chemistry was ranked second in Chemistry in the UK and first for published outputs. We are among the top 5 Departments for research income in the UK and this arises from public funding (e.g., EPSRC, BBSRC, EU) and industrial sponsorship. 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).

To apply for this opportunity, please visit: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/ and click the 'Ready to apply? Apply online.' Please also ensure you quote the following reference on your application: Reference CCPR043, and the topic title: Total synthesis of complex natural products using electrophilic amination methodology.