PhD Studentship: Combined Synthetic and Computational Understanding of New Heterobimetallic Dimetallocenes

This 3.5 year PhD project is fully funded by the Department of Chemistry (DTP). Home students, and EU students with settled status, are eligible to apply. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26) and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2026.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

This project aims to pioneer heterobimetallic dimetallocene chemistry. We will initially focus on Zn–Al systems, before expanding the project to other combinations of group 13 and group 2/12 metals, and then open shell transition metals. Dimetallocenes feature two metal atoms bonded between cyclopentadienyl ligands and have rarely been isolated to date, yet hold promise for their potential catalytic applications. Building on recent success in the group towards designing and isolating new Zn–Al complexes (ChemRxiv, 2025, doi: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-wzn23), this project will combine advanced synthetic strategies with reactivity studies, detailed physical characterization and computational studies to elucidate electronic structures. Together, this will enable a design-led approach to develop catalytic processes for dimetallocenes, such as alkyne hydroamination.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

To apply. Please contact the main supervisor, Dr Willcox - darren.willcox@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

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