PhD Studentship - The design and synthesis of fluorinated model compounds to investigate the influe

Organic Chemistry: SCF

Location: Highfield Campus

Closing Date:  Thursday 16 March 2017

Reference: 842417EB

PhD Studentship – The design and synthesis of fluorinated model compounds to investigate the influence of fluorination on lipophilicity and hydrogen bonding

PhD Supervisor: Prof Bruno Linclau   

Application Deadline: 16 March 2017

PhD Description: 

The project will involve the synthesis of fluorinated model compounds to investigate the effect of fluorination on important properties such as hydrogen bonding and lipophilicity. In particular, this will involve the design of specific stereochemical and cyclic motifs to disentangle the many effects that fluorination can have on these properties. The Linclau group have been pioneers in investigating how fluorination influences the hydrogen bond properties of neighboring alcohol groups (see Chem. Eur. J. 2017, 23, doi:10.1002/chem.201604940 (Hot paper); Chem. Eur. J. 2015, 21, 1682, Chem. Eur. J. 2015, 21, 17808; Chem Eur J, 2015, 21, 1682, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 6176 (Very Important Paper), and we have introduced novel and straightforward methodology to investigate lipophilicity (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 674 (Very Important Paper)). In this project we aim to extend investigations to include other functional groups. While the project is mainly involved with synthetic organic chemistry, it contains a strong medicinal chemistry element, and you will become familiar with the significant role of fluorination in current drug optimisation (recent reviews: J. Med. Chem. 2015, 58, 8315; Chem. Rev. 2014, 104, 2432; J. Fluorine Chem. 2010, 131, 1071), as well as with modern chemistry to selectively introduce fluorine in organic molecules. Measurement of the hydrogen bond properties will be carried out by collaborators at the University of Nantes (France), while you would participate in the lipophilicity determinations. You will be part of a team further consisting of a postdoctoral researcher and another PhD student. This work is sponsored by the EPSRC and the University of Southampton and has involvement of two UK companies (AstraZeneca and Sirius), and there will be regular meetings with the companies to exchange ideas and research results.  Hence, this project is ideal for a motivated student with interest in synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry.

The project is funded for 3 years and welcomes applicants from the UK who have or expect to obtain at least an upper second class degree in Chemistry. Funding will cover fees and a stipend at current research council rates of £ 14,553 per annum.

Due to funding restrictions this position is only open to UK applicants.

Applications for a PhD in Chemistry should be submitted online at https://studentrecords.soton.ac.uk/BNNRPROD/bzsksrch.P_Search

Please place Linclau – EPSRC in the field for proposed supervisor/project

General enquiries should be made to Prof Bruno Linclau at bruno.linclau@soton.ac.uk.  Any queries on the application process should be made to pgafnes@soton.ac.uk

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received. Interviews will be organized from 17 March 2017, after which the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.