From: jobs at ccl.net (do not send your application there!!!)
To: jobs at ccl.net
Date: Tue Feb 12 10:46:25 2008
Subject: 08.02.12 PhD studentship, Univ. of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
Start date: July, 2008 Organometallic catalysts traditionally have a large reaction repertoire and substrate scope, however, they suffer from an ill-defined second coordination sphere. On the other hand, enzymes have extremely well defined second coordination spheres and as such reactions catalysed by enzymes are generally stereo- and chemio-selective. The current project aims to merge both of these classes through the design of hybrid catalysts, which will allow the larger substrate scope to be incorporated into the well-defined second coordination sphere of enzymes. The project involves evaluating organometallic reactions in the gas phase and the continuum phase using QM methods. These methods are then employed to study naturally occurring metalloenzymes within a hybrid QM/MM technique. Finally the methodology will be used in the design of new hybrid catalysts that employ the organometallic catalysts embedded into appropriate biomolecular systems. In addition to the specific project advertised the student would have the opportunity to work on collaborative projects in other areas such as the determination of organic reaction mechanisms. For more information on the research being carried out in the group, see: http://www.chem.strath.ac.uk/people.php?id=bas07101 Knowledge of computational methods is desirable, but not necessary. The student should have a strong desire to learn about computational chemistry, its application and theory. An Honours degree (2:1), or better is required. The studentship is open to UK/EU nationals only due to the nature of the funding and will attract an annual stipend of ~13,000 GBP p.a. in addition to tuition fees. The studentship is within the graduate school of WestCHEM (http://www.westchem.ac.uk). WestCHEM has been formed as part of the ScotCHEM initiative on pooling of Chemistry in Scotland. The School brings together the strengths of the two major chemistry research schools in the West of Scotland, to offer an outstanding research environment in a large, diverse and expanding chemistry research school. The student will be based at the University of Strathclyde. The chemistry department (http://www.chem.strath.ac.uk) at Strathclyde is one of the largest in the UK. In 2007, the Guardian newspaper ranked us as best in Scotland, and in the U.K. Top Ten, in terms of our graduate employment prospects. Over the last four years, over 10 million GBP has been invested in bringing our buildings and laboratories up to 21st century standards. The department is located right at the heart of the City of Glasgow.
Interested candidates should send a CV, contact details for two referees, a list of undergraduate subjects and a description of previous work to Dr. Tell Tuttle (tell.tuttle(_)strath.ac.uk).NOTE THAT E-MAIL ADDRESSES HAVE BEEN MODIFIED!!!