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PhD Studentship - Organic synthesis and applications of small molecule endofullerenes

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
United Kingdom
Closing date
May 31, 2017

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Job Details

PhD Studentship – Organic synthesis and applications of small molecule endofullerenes

Organic Chemistry: SCF

Location: Highfield Campus

Closing Date:  Wednesday 31 May 2017

Reference: 842517EB

PhD  Studentship – Organic synthesis and applications of small molecule endofullerenes

PhD Supervisor: Prof Richard Whitby

Co Supervisor: Prof Malcolm Levitt

Application Deadline: until position is filled

PhD Description:

Fullerenes such as C60 provide unique containers for small molecules providing a highly symmetric environment which allows quantum effects to be observed on macroscopic samples. The synthesis of small molecule endohedral fullerenes involves using a sequence of organic reactions to open a hole in the fullerene through which the guest molecule can be incorporated. A further sequence of reactions is used to suture the opening to re-form the pristine fullerene, but now containing the guest molecule. So far the approach has been used for H2@C60, H2O@C60 and we recently reported HF@C60.1 The main aim of the project is to develop routes to currently unknown endofullerenes such as NH3@C60 and CH4@C60. Endofullerene chemistry is challenging as functional groups embedded in the polyaromatic framework often do not react as expected and you will make extensive use of DFT calculations to guide the synthetic efforts.

The fundamental quantum properties of the endohedral fullerenes will be investigated in collaboration with a number of national and international groups. A key application is to hyperpolarization enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) where signal strength increases of up to 5 orders of magnitude may be induced leading to transformative implications for a wide range of sciences including chemistry, biology, physics and medicine. A team of 5 researchers in the Universities of Southampton and Nottingham, headed by Prof Malcolm H Levitt FRS, have been awarded a 5-year EPSRC Platform Grant to develop and exploit this exciting new scientific field, of which this studentship is part.

The successful applicant will have an excellent academic record and a keen interest in applying challenging organic synthesis in highly interdisciplinary research at the scientific frontier.

The project is funded for 3 years and welcomes applicants from the UK and EU who have or expect to obtain a first class degree in Chemistry. Funding will cover fees and a stipend at current research council rates of £14,553 (2017/18 rates) per annum.

Due to funding restrictions this position is only open to UK/EU applicants

Reference:

1. A. Krachmalnicoff, R. Bounds,  S. Mamone,  S. Alom,  M. Concistre`, B. Meier, K. Kour?il, M. E. Light, M. R. Johnson, S. Rols, A. J. Horsewill, A. Shugai, U. Nagel, T. Ro~o~m,  M. Carravetta, M. H. Levitt and R. J. Whitby. The dipolar endofullerene HF@C60. Nature Chemistry, 2016, 8, 953-957.

The project is funded for 3 years and welcomes applicants from the UK and EU who have or expect to obtain a First 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/EU applicants.

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

Please place Prof Whitby’s name in the field for proposed supervisor/project.

General enquiries should be made Richard Whitby at rjw1@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, and the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

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