Reactive Sulfur Species: Unlocking Nature’s Hidden Chemistry for Health and Sustainability

About the Project

Have you ever wondered what really drives life under stress? For decades, biology has focused on reactive oxygen species (ROS) as the main players in health and disease. But a quiet revolution is underway: reactive sulfur species (RSS)—molecules built from sulfur—are emerging as powerful regulators of life, from bacteria thriving in extreme environments to human cells adapting to low oxygen.

This PhD project invites you to explore this fascinating frontier. RSS are not just chemical curiosities; they influence how cells communicate, survive, and evolve. They may hold the key to understanding cancer, ageing, and even the origins of life. Yet, much about them remains a mystery. How do they form? How do they interact with proteins and DNA? Could they be harnessed for new therapies or green technologies?

Your research will combine chemistry and biology to answer these questions. You’ll learn how to detect and measure RSS in living systems using state-of-the-art techniques such as NMR spectroscopy, Raman microscopy, and GC–MS analysis, alongside advanced molecular biology tools. These approaches will allow you to uncover the chemical fingerprints of RSS and their biological impact.

If you’re curious, ambitious, and want to make a real difference, this project offers the chance to challenge old ideas and help rewrite textbooks. You’ll join a supportive team passionate about discovery and innovation, with opportunities to collaborate across disciplines and even contribute to global conversations about sustainability and medicine.

This is not just a PhD—it’s a chance to be part of a movement that could transform how we see biology and chemistry.

Training opportunities:

You will gain hands-on experience in NMR spectroscopy, Raman imaging, GC–MS workflows, and advanced chromatography, as well as molecular biology and cell culture techniques. Training will cover experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. You’ll also develop transferable skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Opportunities for international networking and conference presentations will prepare you for careers in academia, industry, or science policy.

Outputs:

The project will generate high-impact publications in leading journals, a comprehensive dataset on reactive sulfur species chemistry and biology, and new analytical workflows for RSS detection using NMR, Raman imaging, and GC–MS. Students will present findings at international conferences and contribute to collaborative projects across chemistry and life sciences. Additional outputs include transferable skills in advanced instrumentation, data analysis, and interdisciplinary research, positioning graduates for careers in academia, biotech, or pharmaceutical industries.