A PhD studentship (36 months) is available starting 1^st October 2014 in the group of Dr Stephen Mansell in the Institute of Chemical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University (http://www.mansellresearch.org.uk). The Mansell group have their own dedicated and newly refurbished lab space including a new state-of-the-art glovebox for high integrity air-sensitive chemistry.

This project aims to develop new catalysts where more of the atoms in the catalyst are actively involved in the making and breaking of bonds by using the concept of metal-ligand co-operation. This is a new and exciting development in organometallic catalysis pioneered through the use of aromatic pincer ligands, and recent publications have demonstrated applications to a number of academically and industrially exciting reactions. Research in the Mansell group aims to develop new heteroaromatic pincer ligands containing phosphorus and boron heteroatoms harnessing their unique donor properties in order to increase metal-ligand cooperation and develop better catalysts. We are looking to improve several key reactions including dehydrocoupling, a reaction of huge potential in developing hydrogen storage media and in the synthesis of new materials, and C-H activation which has the potential to make fine-chemical synthesis more efficient reducing energy consumption and waste.

The student will gain extensive experience in handling air- and moisture-sensitive organometallic compounds using high-integrity Schlenk line and glovebox techniques in the synthesis of new ligands and catalysts. Expertise in handling both main group and transition metal compounds will be developed over the course of the project together with experience in homogeneous catalysis. Product characterisation will allow the student to develop extensive skills in multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and in X-ray crystallography through solving X-ray crystal structures themselves under guidance and with support.

Funding Notes:

This fully funded project will run for 36 months and will attract a stipend of £13,726 per annum (with fees waived) and is available to UK/European students only. Applications are invited from chemistry graduates who have, or expect to obtain, a first or upper second class degree. Please contact Dr Stephen Mansell (s.mansell@hw.ac.uk) for further information or see http://www.eps.hw.ac.uk/institutes/chemical-sciences/vacancies.htm. Apply on-line at http://www.eps.hw.ac.uk/institutes/chemical-sciences/ics-apply.htm with the reference: ICS2014/13.