PhD position: Novel Natural Products in Algae (New Chemistry, Biochemistry and Bioactivity) 3506 views

The School of Chemistry at University of Nottingham is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD studentship for 42 months in Novel Natural Products in Algae: an Untapped Resource for New Chemistry, Biochemistry and Bioactivity.

About the Project:

• This project aims to explore the natural product biosynthetic capacity of euglenoid algae.
• The PhD candidate will gain advanced training in algal cell culturing and metabolite structural analysis, including using chemoinformatics, mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy.
• New compounds will be evaluated for bioactivity and further mode of action studies will be undertaken in collaboration with colleagues.
• The biosynthesis of these compounds will be explored in the algae through genome sequencing and metabolic labelling.
• This project will commence before October 2020, with tuition fees paid, and full tax-free stipend commensurate with the RCUK rate (currently £15,009 per annum).
• This project is based in the School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, and will provide extensive training in: cell culturing; HPLC-MS; natural product chemistry; small molecule structure elucidation; and bioinformatics.

Requirements:

• Applicants should be a UK or EU national and have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related subject with substantial biological chemistry or biochemistry/microbiology content and a strong interest in natural products chemistry.
• A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: biological chemistry, natural products chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, microbial ecology.