About the Project The Pilgrim Group at the University of Nottingham is looking to recruit an enthusiastic and talented PhD candidate to join our research team.
The group’s research interests span supramolecular self-assembly, metal-organic cages, interlocked molecule synthesis, and stimuli-responsive materials.
What is the research project? Tetrazines are fascinating molecules. They can act as the 4π-component in ‘click’ type Diels-Alder reactions and they have fascinating redox chemistry, being reversibly reducible to radical anions. They are used widely in biological chemistry, but rarely in functional materials. Reactivity of tetrazines has typically been controlled via covalent bonds (tethering of electron-donating/withdrawing substituents). This project will control tetrazine reactivity through space, via the non-covalent interactions of supramolecular chemistry and via the mechanical bonds of interlocked molecules, such as those in rotaxanes/catenanes. We will also employ metal-coordination to influence the chemistry of these molecules. We will construct tetrazine-based mechanically interlocked molecules and interpenetrated materials. Their reactivity will be fundamentally altered, with ramifications for both electronic and magnetic properties, with knowledge underpinning new stimuli-responsive functional components for molecular machines and molecular materials.
What is the position? The position is a fully-funded PhD studentship for 42 months to start in October 2022. This funding covers the payment of tuition fees at the UK/Home rate and gives you a tax-free stipend at the standard UKRI rate (which is £15,609 per year for 2021/22). The Pilgrim Group are based in the School of Chemistry, University Park, University of Nottingham. During your studies you will receive the training to become an excellent synthetic supramolecular chemist, gaining knowledge of organic and inorganic synthesis techniques and structural elucidation methods such as NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. You will also have the opportunity to present work at conferences.
Are you the right candidate? Are you a UK home student? (Due to funding restrictions this position can only be offered to UK home students)
Do you have an interest in supramolecular chemistry, self-assembly, coordination chemistry, or stimuli-responsive materials?
Are you someone who is creative, works hard, is a team player, and would enjoy being part of a dynamic and growing research group?
Do you have, or expect to achieve by summer 2022, a First or 2:1 Honours degree in Chemistry or Natural Sciences specialising in Chemistry?
Will you have studied in university education for at least four years by summer 2022? For example, you may have studied for a combined Batchelor’s and Master’s degree (e.g. four-year MChem or MSci), a separate one-year Master’s degree after completing your undergraduate degree, or a four-year BSc with substantial lab experience (such as a year out in industry).
If the answer to all these questions is yes then we want to hear from you!
Deadline We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. Active review of applications will start on Monday 28th March and the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified after this date.
Start Date October 2022
Enquiries Dr Ben Pilgrim is happy to discuss informally via email any questions that prospective applicants have (ben.pilgrim@nottingham.ac.uk).
To apply you need to: 1. Apply to the School of Chemistry via the link found in the advert. https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/jobs/currentvacancies/ref/SCI2053 , stating Dr Ben Pilgrim as the potential supervisor. 2. Send your CV (max two pages) and a cover letter to ben.pilgrim@nottingham.ac.uk At this stage you do not need to submit an official application to the University of Nottingham applications portal. After interview, the successful candidate will need to submit a formal application to the University.
Funding Notes The position is a fully-funded PhD studentship for 42 months to start in October 2022. This funding covers the payment of tuition fees at the UK/Home rate and gives you a tax-free stipend at the standard UKRI rate (which is £15,609 per year for 2021/22).
