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).