Advanced Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy – method development and applications

About the Project

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is a magnetic resonance technique that is exclusively and exquisitely sensitive to unpaired electrons that are found in radicals and paramagnetic metal complexes. Despite the relative rarity of unpaired electrons EPR finds widespread application in structural biology and biophysics, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis and materials science. The research in Prof Bela Bode’s group focuses on the characterisation and development of advanced EPR methods for applications in catalysis,1 structural biology,2 and materials science.3 This project will take advantage of recent developments in the EPR instruments, EPR experiments and data analysis and processing tools to push the current boundaries of EPR applications. The project will contain some laboratory component preparing samples but largely focus on EPR experimentation, analysis and data modelling to maximise the sensitivity as well as information accessible from the spectra. The application projects will be highly interdisciplinarity and collaborative and past PhD graduates have found themselves very well equipped with a broad range of skills relevant to their future career ambitions. The project will be based in the StAnD (St Andrews and Dundee) EPR grouping with expertise across EPR instrumentation, experiment design and applications in biology, chemistry and physics. St Andrews has world-leading EPR infrastructure with continuous wave and pulse EPR capabilities at 9, 34 and 94 GHz at temperatures of 1.5-300 K and cryogen-free helium recirculation cryostats in the two workhorse instruments.

We are looking for a highly motivated chemistry (or related discipline) graduate with a passion for research. Experience in magnetic resonance spectroscopy and coordination chemistry are desirable but not essential. Training will be provided as required.

The start date will be 27th September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Please direct any informal enquiries to Prof Bela Bode (beb2@st-andrews.ac.uk)

Please see: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/chemistry/prospective/pgr/ for the application procedure or e-mail chempg@st-andrews.ac.uk for more information regarding PhD opportunities at St Andrews. We encourage applications for the NextGenTech Centre for Doctoral training (https://nextgentech-cdt.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/) and from Chinese nationals through the St Andrews CSC Scheme (https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study-abroad/global-research/csc/). There are opportunities for self-funded PhD students to make use of the St Andrews Handsel Scheme to fund the difference between home and international fees.