PhD position in Organic Synthesis
We are looking for a PhD candidate in the group of Prof. A. J. Minnaard, who leads a natural product synthesis group at the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry (see: minnaardgroup.nl). The project is entitled “selective modification of unprotected carbohydrates.”
Carbohydrates (sugars) are ubiquitous in the living cell and fulfill essential roles. Carbohydrates are also used as building blocks in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, natural products and in general as renewable starting materials. The group contributes significantly to recent developments in (photoredox) catalysis and electrochemistry that allow modification of carbohydrates in a site-selective manner without protecting groups.
This PhD project aims to expand the repertoire of selective carbohydrate modifications in terms of methodology and substrate scope. The developed knowledge will be applied in the synthesis of complex carbohydrate-based natural products. You will be trained in organic synthesis and catalysis, including NMR spectroscopy and chromatography, in photoredox chemistry and in electrosynthesis. Additionally, you will be involved in teaching, by supervising tutorials and bachelor/master theses.
Organisation
The University of Groningen is a research university within the top 100 on several influential ranking lists. The Faculty of Science and Engineering offers first-rate education and research in a wide range of science and engineering disciplines.
The mission of the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry is to perform excellent research and teaching in molecular and supramolecular chemistry. Core activities in the chemical sciences such as chemical biology, organic synthesis, molecular inorganic chemistry and molecular materials chemistry are embedded in the institute.
