EPSRC
Applicants must hold (or expected to hold at start date) a 1st or upper 2nd class MSc/MChem/BSc or equivalent in discipline related to chemistry or biochemistry.
Apply for a PhD at Kent: follow the University of Kent’s online application process.
As part of the process, students should include the following:
Once you have applied through the University of Kent online application portal (KentVision), you must email your Application ID number, your full name and the project of interest to kentgrc@kent.ac.uk. This step is to confirm that you wish to apply for an EPSRC Scholarship, only those who have emailed their interest will be considered.
If you have already applied for 2024/25 entry and have an offer, a deferred offer, or you are a current PhD student at Kent, you do not need to follow Step 1 as we should already have your application on our system. Please contact the appropriate supervisor to inform them you wish to be considered for the EPSRC scholarship. You must also email your details to kentgrc@kent.ac.uk and specify which project you wish to be considered for.
PhD Project in Using chemical design to enhance the detection of Raman active compounds for defence chemistry applications
Supervisor: Jon Tandy (j.tandy-611@kent.ac.uk)
In recent years, there has been significant advancements in chemical detection and labelling by utilising specific molecular moieties containing unique Raman signatures. This project will use complementary molecular modelling and chemical synthesis to design, develop and test a suite of new compounds with tuneable Raman signatures within the ‘silent’ spectral region (1800 to 2800 cm-1) for defence chemistry applications. Key aims include: a) an improved understanding of how the arrangement of different molecular functional groups can be manipulated to alter both the spectral position and relative intensity of specific Raman bands; b) how these compounds may be simply synthesised from readily available reagents; c) how they may be incorporated into standardised formulations for their final application; and d) how other Raman enhancement techniques (e.g. SERS) can be used to further improve limits of detection for these compounds.
PhD Project in Sustainable Synthesis of Next Generation Cooling Technologies
Supervisor: Helena Shepherd (h.j.shepherd@kent.ac.uk)
Refrigeration and air conditioning accounts for approximately a sixth of the planet’s energy consumption and both markets are growing rapidly. Most refrigerants currently in use are hydrofluorocarbons, which are harmful greenhouse gasses. Clearly an alternative to existing refrigeration technologies is required and it is important that the replacements are as environmentally friendly as possible.
Spin crossover materials are a promising new class of solid-state coolants based on thermally responsive transition metal complexes. The aim of this project will be to apply the principles of green chemistry to the design and synthesis of these complexes as well as characterisation of their useful properties. Techniques including mechanochemistry, accelerated ageing and reactive printing will be used to synthesise new materials. Characterisation will include NMR, X-ray diffraction, Raman and IR spectroscopy, reflectivity, magnetometry and thermal analysis. There will likely be opportunities to travel to collaborator laboratories in Europe to undertake training and analytical measurements. The student will gain skills in the rapidly developing technology of solid-state cooling, preparing them well for diverse careers in academic or industrial research and development.
PhD Project in Drug Delivery Systems
Supervisor: Stefano Biagini (s.biagini@kent.ac.uk)
Drug therapeutics are essential for the central management of infections and non-communicable diseases (e.g. cancers and cardiovascular conditions). Drug delivery systems i.e. how the drugs are transported to their target sites and overcome biological barriers, are an essential component of modern precision medicine and are increasingly required for the development of both new drugs and modified old drugs. In practice, a large molecule, with highly desirable physicochemical properties, which may be biological (e.g. an antibody) or synthetic (e.g. a polymer) in nature, is conjugated to a drug.
This project centres on the chemical and bio-chemical modifications of an isolated bacterial structure, for the development of a revolutionary semi-synthetic platform technology for controlled release drug delivery. This is a multidisciplinary project straddling microbiology, organic synthesis, and polymer chemistry. The Biagini group is highly experienced in the organic synthesis of functionalised monomers for the preparation of specialised polymers with biomimetic or drug-releasing properties. The PhD project is in collaboration with the Robinson group which has extensive experience in applied microbiology. The project has industrial links with a company based in Discovery Park, Sandwich, Kent.
The research laboratories of the School of Chemistry and Forensic Science and the School of Biosciences are located in the same building complex and are part of the Division of Natural Sciences with state-of-the-art facilities.
