Dr JW Walton
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
About the Project
A PhD studentship position is available in the group of Dr. James W. Walton at Durham University to synthesise organometallic complexes and study their activity as homogeneous catalysts.
Over the past few years the Walton group has been developing new catalytic reactions of organometallic ruthenium complexes. π-Coordination of aromatic compounds to Ru has a profound effect upon their reactivity. We have been developing novel and efficient catalytic processes using this increased reactivity upon coordination. This PhD studentship will focus of the development of homogeneous catalysis for the production of industrially-relevant compounds (heterocycles, fluoroarenes etc.), using organometallic catalysts. Fundamental mechanistic understanding of the catalytic process will also be explored during the studentship. The successful candidate will develop skills in organometallic synthesis, organic synthesis, inorganic synthesis, catalytic optimisation and mechanistic determination.
A successful PhD student will spend the majority of their time in the laboratory, synthesising complexes and optimising catalytic processes. As such, knowledge of organic and inorganic synthesis is desirable. Previous experience in organometallic chemistry is not necessary, but you should have a keen interest in synthetic and mechanistic chemistry. For further information see the website: https://community.dur.ac.uk/james.walton/ or see some of our recent publications: Chem. Commun., 2017, 53, 9858 and Organometallics, 2017, 36, 4376.
Applications are welcomed from enthusiastic candidates who have (or expect to obtain) at least the equivalent of a UK 2.1 honours masters level degree in an appropriate subject.
The position is available from October 2018.
Interested applicants should contact Dr James W. Walton ([Email Address Removed]) with a cover letter and CV, including the names of two suitable references. Potential applicants are also welcome to contact Dr James W. Walton with informal enquiries about this opportunity in advance of a formal application.
Deadline: 31st Mar 2018, however, early applications are strongly advised as the position may be filled if a suitable candidate is identified prior to this deadline.