PhD Studentship: Redox Chemistries in Microorganisms

A 3.5 year PhD studentship is available to join Dr Jenny Zhang's team at the Department of Chemistry on a project aimed at elucidating and manipulating the redox chemistries occuring in the extracellular space of microorganisms to enable novel biotechnologies that fight against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections or for generating clean energy.

The student will employ a number of chemical biology and biophysical approaches (including (bio)electrochemistry, microscopy, NMR spectrocopy) to probe into the extracellular space, and simple synthetic chemistries (both molecular and sol-gel based) to manipulate it. The student will also be expected to work in multi-disciplinary teams; they may work closely with chemists, biologists, physicists and engineers to deliver final proof-of-concept systems.

Applicants must have (or expect to obtain) at least the equivalent of a UK upper second-class Master's degree in chemistry, physics or other relevant field. Experience in surface chemistry, synthesis, NMR and good communication skills are desirable. The candidate will gain a wide range of technical experience relevant to biotechnology development, as well as personal development and leadership skills.