Life Sciences PhD Chemistry Studentship (2020)

What you get

This School funded position covers Home / EU tuition fees and a stipend at standard RCUK rates.

Type of award

Postgraduate Research

PhD project

Phosphacumulenic Organometallics:  Accessing Novel Bridged Scaffolds for Molecular Conductors

The project will build on our recent advances in the study of conjugated phospha-carbon complexes derived from the cyaphide (‘CºP’) ligand (Dalton Trans., 2014, 43, 9004; 2018, 47, 4428; 2019, 48, 8131), with a specific focus on developing conjugatively bridged polymetallics.  Using our recently described hypo-coordinate salt [Ru(dppe)₂(CºP)]^.OTf (Inorg. Chem., 2019, 58, 14800) as a foundation scaffold, target compounds will exploit the ‘CºP’ ligand and/or related cumulenic fragments in the bridging role, alongside more traditional carbon-rich bridges.  This will require some level of synthetic development alongside complex design.  The electronic properties of the resulting compounds will be studied using a range of methods to assess their suitability as model molecular conductors and to guide subsequent design.           

The project will involve substantial anaerobic organometallic synthesis, with the extensive ‘hands-on’ use of X-ray diffraction and advanced multinuclear NMR spectroscopic methods as primary means of compound identification and characterisation.  This will be augmented by “in-house” electrochemical and spectro-electrochemical studies and, as appropriate, computational (DFT) work.  The successful candidate will therefore receive a thorough and rounded training in the methods of modern inorganic and organometallic synthesis and characterisation.    

 

Eligibility

Ideal candidates will have a strong interest in synthetic inorganic and/or organometallic chemistry. Eligible applicants will have recently received, or expect to obtain, an MSc and/or a First or 2:1 BSc / MChem in chemistry. Candidates for whom English is not their first language will require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in any section.

Deadline

3 April 2020 23:45

How to apply

Please submit a formal application using our online application system at http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply, including a CV, degree transcripts and certificates, statement of interest and names of two academic referees.

On the application system use Programme of Study – PhD Chemistry.

Please make sure you include the project title under Funding information, the Supervisor’s name and a statement of interest on the application form.

Contact us

Contact Emma Chorley for application enquiries (lifesciphd@sussex.ac.uk)

Contact Dr Ian Crossley (i.crossley@sussex.ac.uk) for enquiries about the project.  An overview of research and facilities in the Crossley lab can be found at http://www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/crossleylab