Developing parahydrogen based approaches for hyperpolarisation

Early Stage Researcher (ESR) position available in York on the Horizion 2020 Marie Curie European Training Network (ETN) EUROPOL.

Applications are invited to join the York Centre for Hyperpolarisation in Magnetic Resonance (https://www.york.ac.uk/chym/) to work on a research project as part of the EUROPOL consortium. The researcher will undertake a study that will seek to further develop the hyperpolarisation method know as SABRE. NMR and MRI play unique roles in chemistry and clinical research where they impact directly on diagnosis. Both of these approaches would benefit from improved sensitivity and by using hyperpolarization the detected response can be improved by up to 50,000x. We seek here to develop para-hydrogen-driven polarization methods for biophysical, metabolomic, pre-clinical and clinical research. We will start out by training the student to prepare the catalyst used for polarisation transfer in SABRE. This catalyst will then be used to increase the magnetic resonance response of an array of pyridazine derivatives. We will seek to establish optimal reaction conditions, coupled with an optimised catalyst form, in order to produce the largest response possible. We will then develop optimised detection strategies in order to produce the best in vitro images possible. Opportunities will exist to use a synthetic strategy to prepare a series of deuterium labelled molecules in order to extend the lifetimes of the magnetic states SABRE creates. We seek to develop a series of robust NMR methods to facilitate the characterisation of these molecules and will complete MRI measurements on a series of in vitro phantoms, prior to starting preclinical examination through collaboration with others in the network. The student will therefore get experience in a broad range of activities which will include synthesis, catalysis and NMR and MRI detection. They will also learn about how studies of metabolism might aid in the diagnosis of disease.

Benefits Candidates are paid according to MarieCurie standards, providing a generous employment contract along with further support for research, training and career development. Fellowships for Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) are fundable for up to three-year periods. Applicants must meet the Marie Curie eligibility criteria, which requires a suitable degree for entry into a PhD programme. Please visit the Marie Curie Web site for details: http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/about-msca/actions/itn/index_en.htm

For citizens from non-EU countries specific immigration formalities and rules are in place. Equal consideration will be given to female and male applicants. Please contact Simon Duckett for further information; [Email Address Removed]

Applicants must meet the Marie Curie eligibility criteria, which requires a suitable degree for entry into a PhD programme. Please visit the Marie Curie Web site for details: http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/about-msca/actions/itn/index_en.htm
For citizens from non-EU countries specific immigration formalities and rules are in place.
Equal consideration will be given to female and male applicants.