Polymerisation Catalysis - New catalytic routes towards CO2-derived polymer materials

Applications are invited for a fully funded 3-year PhD studentship, on a project entitled: New catalytic routes towards CO2-derived polymer materials. The position is available from September 2017.


The project:
The project aims to develop and understand novel organometallic catalysts to make sustainable materials from CO2, providing an exciting opportunity to establish a new area of research. You will be provided with high-level training across a wide range of areas including:
• Air-sensitive organometallic synthesis and characterisation (including the use of Schlenk techniques, gloveboxes and NMR spectroscopy)
• Polymer synthesis and characterisation (high pressure autoclaves, GPC, mass spectrometry)
• Mechanistic understanding for targeted catalyst development

Candidates:
The successful candidate should hold, or expect to receive, a 1st class or 2:1 BSci Honours degree or equivalent, and will be motivated, enthusiastic and able to work independently. Ideal candidates will have some experience in organometallic synthesis or polymer chemistry, and/or homogeneous catalysis. Experience in obtaining and analysing characterisation data on novel compounds is also desirable.

Research Environment:
This project is fully funded by the School of Chemistry (University of Edinburgh) and the successful candidate will work as part of a small team, in the group of Dr Jennifer Garden.

How to Apply:
Applications can be made by contacting Jennifer Garden ([Email Address Removed]). Please include a cover letter, CV and contact details for two referees.


Further Details:
• This fully funded, tax free studentship covers tuition fees and living expenses at the standard EPSRC rate (~ £14,500 per year) from September 2017, for a period of 3 years.
• This studentship is open to UK and EU citizens who meet the EPSRC residency criteria (for more detail see https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/).
• Interested candidates are welcome to email any questions directly to Dr Jennifer Garden.


Application deadline: 30 April 2017