Upgrading of Lignin to Chiral Synthons

A fully funded 3-year PhD studentship is available in the Department of Chemistry to work on a collaborative project entitled the ‘Upgrading of Lignin to Chiral Synthons’ with Professor Helen Hailes and Dr Tom Sheppard. To ensure that we have a sustainable chemical industry, it is essential that alternative renewable starting materials are used for the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The richest sustainable source of aromatic compounds is lignin, however the efficient conversion of lignin into aromatic synthons is still a major challenge. This project will develop new routes for the selective modification of lignin to provide access to valuable chiral compounds via sustainable chemistries. It will involve the development of methodology to cleave key lignin C-O ether bonds, and introduce nucleophilic groups. Fragments will then be used with a range of biocatalytic enzymes including our available transaminases, transketolases, norcoclaurine synthases, and alcohol dehydrogenases. Products will be characterised and the absolute stereochemistries of products determined. This PhD project will open up the possibility of synthesizing many new compounds using sustainable building blocks and reagents, via concise approaches with low environmental impact. The student will gain expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, enzyme expression, biocatalysis, and the use of a variety of analytical and characterisation techniques, such as HPLC, GC, and NMR spectroscopy.

Applicants should have, or expect to gain, at least a 2.1 honours or equivalent at Masters level in Chemistry, or a related discipline. They should be self-motivated, be keen to work on a collaborative interdisciplinary project and have excellent experimental skills. Good communication skills (both presentation and writing skills in English) are also essential.

The deadline for applications is 9th January 2018, but the position will be filled as soon as an appropriate candidate is found. Applicants should send their applications (covering letter and CV including contact details for 2 referees) by email to professor Helen Hailes ([Email Address Removed]). Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/apply. Any admissions queries should be directed to [Email Address Removed]. The start date for the PhD is in late September 2018.