PhD Studentship: Synthesis of stereodefined diamine sulfone scaffolds based on intramolecular cyclo

The Grainger research group at the University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry has a long-standing interest in the generation and use of reactive sulfur species for organic synthesis. This PhD project builds on the tandem sulfoxide elimination – intramolecular sulfenic acid cycloaddition methodology reported by our group for the stereoselective synthesis of cyclic sulfoxides (Org. Biomol. Chem. 2004, 2, 151; Org. Biomol. Chem. 2005, 3, 404). This methodology will be applied to the preparation of novel cyclic sulfur-containing scaffolds incorporating amino-groups that can be independently manipulated as points of molecular diversity for library generation.

The objectives of the research are to:

1. Develop stereocontrolled routes to enantiopure beta-amino tert-butylsulfoxides (Univ. of Birmingham).
2. Investigate the role of amine-stereocentres as control elements in intramolecular sulfenic acid cycloaddition reactions (University of Birmingham).
3. Functionalise and diversify novel scaffolds in compound library synthesis (AnalytiCon discovery).

This position is one of six available as part of the iDesign project which will use cutting-edge organic synthesis methods to prepare novel libraries of architecturally and functionally diverse, three-dimensional molecules, which possess desirable physicochemical properties for drug discovery. In addition to their research project, the researcher will undertake multidisciplinary training in diverse aspects of early-stage drug discovery. Delivered by experts from academia and industry, this training will ensure the appointed researcher graduates with the knowledge and skills to set new agendas that will inform the future directions of drug discovery.

This EU-funded project is a collaboration between the Grainger group at The University of Birmingham (UK) and AnalytiCon Discovery (Germany). The researcher will spend equal time at both organisations and in so doing, take advantage of the leading specialist facilities and expertise that are present at each site. Candidates should have an interest in multi-step organic synthesis, method development, structure-function relationships, and medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.

The period of the PhD registration will be 36 months in total; based for 18 months at The University of Birmingham and the remaining 18 months at the industry partner.

Funding Notes

The salary will be at the EU Marie Curie Rate of £31,610 per annum. This will be a fixed salary with no increments or pay awards for the duration of the post.

By the start of their appointment, applicants should have obtained a strong Masters degree in Chemistry and not already be in possession of a PhD.