PhD Studentship - E–mides – Amides as Versatile Building Blocks via Reductive Activation

Title:Application deadline: 4^th May 2026
Research theme: Organic Chemistry
How to apply: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425 [uom.link]

This 3.5-year PhD studentship is open to Home (UK) and overseas students. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27; subject to annual uplift), and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2026.

Designing efficient and sustainable strategies to construct complex molecules from simple, readily available building blocks is a central goal in modern synthetic chemistry. In recent years, radical cross-coupling methods have significantly expanded the synthetic toolkit for forming C–C and C–heteroatom bonds. However, many of these approaches still rely on pre-functionalisation steps to introduce redox-active groups, which can reduce overall efficiency and generate high-molecular-weight by-products.

This project aims to address these limitations by developing innovative activation strategies that convert abundant native functionalities directly into reactive intermediates, enabling their use in catalytic transformations. Building on recent work from the Crisenza and Trujillo groups (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2026, 148, 11925–11938), this research will explore the single-electron transfer (SET) reduction of amides – ubiquitous feedstocks, commodity chemicals and key structural motifs in biomolecules, materials, and pharmaceuticals – to enable the activation of their C(sp³)–N bonds. By leveraging electrochemical and photocatalytic approaches, this project seeks to generate both radical and ionic intermediates directly from these readily available substrates.

These intermediates will be harnessed to develop new carbon–carbon bond-forming cross-coupling reactions, design strategies for the modification of nitrogen-containing heterocycles, and establish sustainable catalytic methodologies based on Earth-abundant metals for the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant scaffolds.

The project will involve close collaboration with Dr Trujillo at the University of Manchester (trujilloresearchgroup.com), as well as scientists at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, with computational studies supporting reaction design, optimisation and mechanistic understanding. This PhD offers a stimulating and interdisciplinary research environment (crisenzalab.net), with training spanning synthetic organic chemistry, catalysis, electrochemistry, and photochemistry.

The successful candidate will gain extensive experience in the synthesis, purification, and characterisation of organic molecules and reactive intermediates, with a particular focus on exploiting radical reactivity through electrosynthetic, photocatalytic, and metal-catalysed methods.

A range of analytical techniques – including NMR, cyclic voltammetry (CV), EPR, and UV–vis spectroscopy – will be employed alongside computational tools to investigate reaction mechanisms.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds with an interest in this research area.

The ideal candidate will be motivated, enthusiastic about both experimental and computational chemistry, and keen to develop skills across these complementary areas. The PhD researcher will be encouraged to actively participate in group meetings, problem-solving sessions, and international conferences, providing valuable opportunities to present their work and engage with the wider scientific community in both academia and industry. For informal enquiries and further details about the project, please contact Dr Giacomo Crisenza (giacomo.crisenza@manchester.ac.uk) with a CV and a cover letter (the latter is optional). More details regarding the application process can be found at: https://www.chemistry.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least an Upper Second-class UK honours degree (or international equivalent) in Chemistry or a related chemical sciences discipline, or a first degree supplemented by a UK Master’s degree (or international equivalent). We also welcome applicants with equivalent experience or alternative qualifications. Experience in synthetic organic chemistry is highly desirable. More details can be found at: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/programmes/list/02934/phd-chemistry/entry-requirements/#course-profile

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