PhD Studentship: N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Stabilised Gold Nanoclusters for Intracellular Catalysis

Overview

This PhD studentship focuses on the design, synthesis, and biological application of atomically precise gold nanoclusters stabilised by N-heterocyclic carbene ligands for intracellular catalysis. Based at the University of East Anglia within the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, the project combines synthetic inorganic and organometallic chemistry, nanomaterials science, spectroscopy, and cell biology. The research aims to explore selective chemical reactions inside living cells, including the activation of fluorogenic probes and therapeutic prodrugs, to advance the field of bioorthogonal catalysis and contribute to new catalytic nanomedicines.

Who can apply

The funding for this studentship is available to UK applicants through a competition for a Faculty of Science funded studentship. Applicants should have a background in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, materials science, or a related discipline, and are expected to work at the chemistry-biology interface. Experience in synthetic chemistry is considered desirable but is not strictly required.

Requirements

The standard minimum entry requirement is a 2:1 degree in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Nanotechnology, or a closely related discipline.

What you get

The studentship provides coverage for home tuition fees alongside an annual stipend for a duration of three years. The current institutional PhD stipend rate is £21,805 per annum, which is subject to an agreed inflationary uplift for the 2027 to 2028 academic year. Successful candidates will also receive comprehensive training in the synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene ligands and gold nanoclusters, advanced characterisation techniques, cell culture, fluorescence imaging, and biological evaluation.

Key dates

The closing date for applications is 24 February 2027. The designated start date for the programme is 1 October 2027.