About the Project
Our group works on the discovery and development of novel biocatalysts for application in synthetic organic chemistry. We work closely with pharmaceutical and chemical companies on the enzymatic conversion of biomass derived materials for sustainable synthesis. In particular we are developing enzymes that can be combined to create reaction cascades, providing environmentally clean synthetic approaches to pharmaceuticals and biopolymers. A fully funded PhD studentship is available to work on the development of new enzyme biocatalysts by directed evolution at the Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, within a friendly, dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment. You must be keen to learn new techniques in molecular biology and use of enzymes in synthesis, in addition to organic synthesis. The project will involve collaboration with academic groups at the Universities of Manchester and Potsdam.
Candidates must have a good MChem (1st or 2i) degree or equivalent in Chemistry and must be creative, highly motivated and able to work as a member of a team, as well as independently. The PhD student will join a vibrant research community and will be given the opportunity to interact with complementary research groups and attend national and international conferences.
Informal Enquiries can be made to Dr Andrew Carnell: [Email Address Removed]
Please apply by completing the online postgraduate research application form at https://www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/applying/online.htm
“Enzyme Cascade Reactions: Synthesis of Furandicarboxylic Acid (FDCA) and Carboxylic Acids using Oxidases in Tandem” S. McKenna, S. Leimkühler, S. Herter, N. J. Turner, A. J. Carnell, Green Chem. 2015, 17, 3271-3275.
“Galactose Oxidase Variants for the Oxidation of Amino Alcohols in Enzyme Cascade Synthesis” S. Herter, S. McKenna, A. Frazer, S. Leimkühler, A. J. Carnell, N. J. Turner, ChemCatChem. 2015, 3, 2313-2317.
“Synthetic Cascades by Combining Evolved Biocatalysts and Artificial Enzymes.” A. J. Carnell, ChemCatChem, 2014, 6, 958–960.
“Catalytic bio–chemo and bio–bio tandem oxidation reactions for amide and carboxylic acid synthesis” B. Bechi, S. Herter, S. McKenna, S. Leimkühler, N. J. Turner and A. J. Carnell, Green Chem. 2014, 16, 4524-4529.
Funding Notes
Applications from candidates meeting the eligibility requirements of the EPSRC are welcome – please refer to the EPSRC website http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/.
The award will pay full tuition fees and a maintenance grant for 3.5 years. The maintenance grant for 2015/16 is £14,057 pa.
Non-EU nationals are not eligible for these positions and applications from non-EU candidates will not be considered.