Fully Funded Phosphazene Stabilised Ylids as Ligands for Aluminium Catalysis

About the Project

Replacing precious metal catalysts with less toxic, earth abundant metals is needed to meet environmental and sustainability targets, but ligands which give good performance with precious metals are often unsuited to controlling base metal reactivity.

This PhD project will develop a family of phosphazene-stabilised ylids as modular, protonolysis-resistant chelating ligands for aluminium, exploring their coordination chemistry and structure-property relationships to design and optimise useful catalytic systems.

The student will join the teams of Dr Ewan R Clark (main group synthesis, PI) and Dr Xacobe Cambeiro (organic catalysis, CoI) at the University of Greenwich’s Medway campus where they will work to synthesise, understand, and exploit these novel systems.

Training and Development

The successful candidate will gain comprehensive training in:

• Synthetic organic and main group chemistry
• Studying and optimising catalytic systems
• Working with highly reactive, air-sensitive species
• Hands-on structural characterisation using spectroscopic, diffraction, and computational methods

Person Specification of Essential (E) or Desirable (D) requirements:

Education and Training:

Applicants should have:

• A 2:1 or first‑class BSc degree (or MSc) in Chemistry or a related field. E
• For those whose first language is not English and/or if from a country where English is not the majority spoken language (as recognised by the UKBA), a language proficiency score of at least IELTS 6.5 (in all elements of the test) or an equivalent UK VISA and Immigration secure English Language Test is required, if your programme falls within the faculty of Engineering and Science a language proficiency score of at least IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in all elements of the test or an equivalent UK VISA and Immigration secure English Language Test is required. Unless the degree above was taught in English andobtained in a majority English speaking country, e.g. UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, etc, as recognised by the UKBA. E.

Experience & Skills:

• Previous experience of undertaking research (e.g. undergraduate or taught master’s dissertation). E
• Ability to analyse experimental data and interpret scientific results. D
• Laboratory experience in synthetic chemistry. E
• Experience in Schlenk-line and Glovebox usage. D
• Strong interest in main group or catalytic chemistry. D
• Good analytical, organisational, and communication skills. E

Prior expertise in all areas is not essential, as full training will be provided. Above all, candidates should demonstrate motivation, enthusiasm, and a willingness to develop new skills

• Start Date: September 2026
• Duration: 3 years (full‑time)
• Funding: Fully funded (UK Home Fees covered)

Application and Funding

This is a fully funded, three year position covering UK home fees and with tax-free stipend in line with UKRI rates. In the first instance, the initial application of cover letter and CV should be directed to Dr Ewan Clark (e.clark@gre.ac.uk). Informal inquiries are welcome to both supervisors.

The position will remain open until filled. A closing date may be added at a later date.