Using rotaxanes to develop communication links between polymer nanoparticles

Background

Nanotechnology is beginning to revolutionise the way that we design, build and use materials. For example, many COVID-19 vaccines contain nanoparticles that protect and deliver genetic material to cells. Nanomaterials are typically constructed using a bottom-up approach: molecular components are constructed that assemble together in a predictable fashion to produce nano-sized objects that then perform a desired function. The requirement for molecular level engineering means chemists will always play the central role in developing new nanotechnologies. However, the field of nanotechnology is still in its infancy and many exciting discoveries lie ahead.

The project

Using rotaxanes to develop communication links between polymer nanoparticles The newly established Fielden group (fieldengroup.net) has a bold vision of using organic chemistry and polymer science to advance nanotechnology by making it responsive and adaptive. This will facilitate new applications in many industries, from healthcare to green energy production. In order to achieve this, methods to establish interactions and dependency between nanoparticles need to be discovered. The importance of this is seen with biological signalling, which is essential for coordination in all forms of life. Therefore, this project will develop ways to produce communication links between nanoparticles using rotaxanes. The successful candidate will design chemical machinery that mediates such communication. They will use organic synthesis to produce monomer components, polymers and nanoparticles. They will also use state of the art techniques to analyse the behaviour and functionality of nanoparticles that can ‘talk’ to each other.

Relevant papers

ChemSystemsChem 2024, 6, e202400048. doi.org/10.1002/syst.202300048 JACS 2024, 146, 18781-18796. doi.org/10.1021/jacs.4c03314 JACS 2023, 145, 5824-5833. doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c13049 Nature 2021, 594, 529-534. doi.org/10.17632/r339vx45sz.1.

Training and mentoring

The successful candidate will receive comprehensive training in the manipulation and analysis of small molecules, polymers and nanoparticles. Students will learn practical skills ranging from contemporary organic and polymer synthesis to NMR analysis and electron microscopy techniques. Extra skills will be obtained by working with our collaborators at specialist facilities. Considerable flexibility with project direction will allow students to tailor their research to specific areas of interest. Students will be mentored by Dr Stephen (Steve) Fielden to develop their abilities in project design, scientific writing and presentation skills.

Enhanced funding is also in place to allow group members to attend conferences and extra training opportunities, thanks to the award of a highly prestigious Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship to Steve. Therefore, students who complete a PhD in the Fielden group will be highly skilled and desirable candidates for a career in all areas of the science sector.

Application process

Interested candidates should contact Dr Fielden by email in the first instance with a copy of their CV and a covering letter outlining their research interests. Applicants should have obtained a strong Master's degree in chemistry or a related discipline. There is no closing date but please apply as soon as possible since the position will be filled as soon as the right candidate is found.

The School of Chemistry is keen to achieve a gender and diversity balance across the School and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. The School holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award, which recognises its work in promoting women’s careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEM) in higher education.