PhD Studentship - Sustainable Routes to High Value Fine Chemicals

Organic Chemistry: SCF

Location: Highfield Campus

Closing Date:  Thursday 31 August 2017

Reference: 861517EB

PhD Supervisor: Prof. David Harrowven

co supervisor: Prof. Richard Brown

PhD Description: 

The project seeks to use thermochemical, photochemical and high pressure transformations in sequence to rapidly build useful and complex fine chemicals.  Replacing toxic, hazardous and expensive reagents/catalysts with reagent free transformations necessarily improves sustainability, reduces waste streams and removes any risk to supply arising from political instability or an increase in demand for rare metals.

The project draws on our experience in developing thermochemical and photochemical methods for the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients and natural products.  In addition, it brings in the expertise in high pressure chemistry of our collaborators at The University of Rouen, Profs. Isabelle Chataigner and Jacques Maddaluno.  Where appropriate, reaction sequencing and optimisation will be aided by the use flow chemistry techniques.  There will also be opportunities for exchange visit to France and the potential to work with industrialist on projects of mutual interest and benefit.  See T. P. Goncalves, M. Mohamed, R. J. Whitby, H. F. Sneddon, D. C. Harrowven Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.2015, 54, 4531 –4534.  D. C. Harrowven, M. Mohamed, T. P. Goncalves, R. J. Whitby, D. Bolien, H. F. Sneddon Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.2012, 51, 4405 –4408.

The PhD is part of wider European Regional Development Fund sponsored collaboration, LabFact, that aims to strengthen Cross-Channel academic and industry partnerships in synthetic organic chemistry for the benefit of our region.  Its primary aim is to develop clean routes to fine chemicals and useful chemical scaffolds using sustainable techniques that minimise the use of chemical reagents (heat, light, electricity, high pressure etc.).

The project is funded for 3 years and welcomes applicants from the UK and EU who have or expect to obtain at least an upper second class degree in Chemistry or a closely allied subject.  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 ensure you select the academic session 2017-2018 in the academic year field and click on the Research radio button.  Enter Chemistry in the search text field.

Please place Prof Harrowven in the field for proposed supervisor/project

General enquiries should be made to Prof. David Harrowven at dch2@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.