Two PhD studentships and one research project manager position available at the University of Liverpool

Published: Wednesday, 22 December 2021 - 00:00 UTC

Author: Thorsten Maly

PhD studentships

We have two PhD studentships available to start on 1st October 2022.

These studentships will allow two highly motivated candidates to participate in the development of the stimulating area of (DNP) MAS NMR spectroscopy and will have research profiles across NMR spectroscopy and materials chemistry. The projects are based in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Liverpool and the successful applicants will join a collaborative, international and multidisciplinary research team that will provide complete student training, skills and development, ensuring strong employability. The students will have ample opportunities to perform experiments at state-of-the-art NMR facilities (locally, at the Nottingham DNP MAS NMR Facility and at the location of the national partners and beyond) and will be able to expand their research vision and interest by attending (inter)national conferences.

The successful candidates should have, or expect to have, at least a 2:1 degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or closely related subject. The candidate should be highly motivated, curious, have competent English communication skills, computer skills and be able to work both as part of a team and independently. Project experience in NMR or EPR or numerical simulations would be an advantage, but is not a prerequisite.

Applications should include a cover letter including the applicant motivation in this PhD studentship and teaching interests, a CV, and the contact details of two academic referees and should be sent by email to Dr. Frédéric Blanc (frederic.blanc@liverpool.ac.uk) before 1st March 2022 indicating “iCASE PhD studentship 2022” for studentship n°1 and “DNP MAS NMR PhD studentship 2022” for studentship n°2 in the subject line. Informal enquiries are also welcome.

Studentship n°1: Deciphering Reaction Mechanisms of Biomass Upgrading over Zeolitic Materials via Advanced NMR Spectroscopy

Fast catalytic pyrolysis utilising aluminosilicate microporous solids offers an efficient pathway for biomass upgrading. However, there is a significant lack of understanding in the reaction mechanism(s), intermediate species formed and how they are influenced by zeolite environments (e.g. topologies). This project will develop new capabilities, integrating fast pyrolysis reactions with advanced NMR technologies, augmented by DNP MAS NMR, to capture in-situ chemistry processes that will unravel fundamental understanding in biomass and waste conversion to renewable fuels and chemicals. This project is funded by an iCASE award in partnership with Johnson Matthey (JM) and includes secondments in various JM’s research centres to gain hands-on experience/appreciation with NMR facilities in an industrial setting, fast catalytic pyrolysis of biomass and zeolite synthesis. This position is only opened to UK applicants.

Studentship n°2: Dynamic Nuclear Polarisation-enhanced NMR Spectroscopy for Advanced Materials Understanding

This studentship aims at developing DNP MAS NMR spectroscopy by exploring new experimental methodologies using a wide range of easily accessible polarising agents and identifying experimental conditions for local site directed electron spin labelling. This includes experimental DNP MAS NMR measurements and understanding electron – nucleus spin dynamics. The project will deliver new research frontiers and game changing capabilities in structure determination of molecules and materials, in particular chemical systems in very low concentrations or the detection of inherently insensitive nuclear spins. This position is opened to EU/UK applicants.

Research project manager position of Connect NMR UK

We are looking to recruit a research project manager to organise and coordinate the network activities of the EPSRC, BBSRC and MRC funded network Connect NMR UK: A National NMR Network for the Physical and Life Sciences which aims at maximising the impact of the UK NMR infrastructure. We encourage applicants from NMR researchers or management backgrounds with high-level skills that will enable strong engagement with the UK NMR science community and beyond, and deliver the vision of the Network. The position is available on a fixed term basis from March 2022 until the end of October 2023.

We are open to a variety of candidates for this role with the following key skills: excellent transferable skills; ability to work within a team, to communicate across the various disciplines of NMR and to support researchers; experience in solid-state or liquid-state NMR in either materials, chemical or biomolecular research sciences and a strong academic track record (e.g., publications and/or patents); understanding of the (UK) research landscape.

To be considered for this post, you should include a cover letter that clearly highlights your skills and how you meet the criteria set out in the person specification, a CV, and the contact details of academic referees. Applications should be made on the University of Liverpool jobs portal (advert to be available imminently and to close at the end of January/beginning of February). Informal enquiries are welcome and should be sent to Dr. Frédéric Blanc (frederic.blanc@liverpool.ac.uk).

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