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ABOUT THE ROLE

Do you have a research background in EPR spectroscopy and an interest in developing your academic career as a PDRA in Decoding Enzyme Mechanisms through Unpaired Electrons? Are you keen to work as part of a multidisciplinary team comprising spectroscopists, bioinorganic chemists, synthetic and computational chemists to tackle how CO2 fixation occurs through a biomimetic approach? Then this role could be for you!

WHAT YOU WOULD BE DOING

Although CO2 fixation by anaerobic acetogens is one of the oldest biological pathways known to humankind, much of its mechanism remains a mystery. In this project, you will build on preliminary results (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146 (30), 21034–21043) in which we showed that model compounds can mimic the behaviour of the Acetyl-coenzyme A Synthase (ACS) active site. You will address fundamental questions regarding the mechanism, as well as the organometallic bonding present. Your work, as part of the project team, will underpin future bioinspired solutions for carbon fixation.
As one of two appointed Post Doctoral Research Associates in this project, you will be responsible for designing and carrying out detailed pulse electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic studies, in conjunction with other physico-chemical investigations, of well-defined synthetic biomimetic compounds that will serve as a benchmark for enzymatic studies. You will join the research group of Prof Maxie Roessler in the Department of Chemistry as part of The Leverhulme Trust funded project entitled “Decoding ACS Enzyme Mechanisms: A Biomimetic Approach to Carbon Fixation” and be part of the Centre of Pulse EPR Spectroscopy (PEPR). You will work in collaboration with Dr Rebecca Musgrave (King’s College London), Dr Dan Wilson (University College London), Dr Alberto Collauto (PEPR Facility manager). You will work closely with the second PDRA appointed on the project (in the Musgrave & Wilson labs) in an established positive feedback loop between EPR investigations, synthesis and computational investigations of ACS model complexes.
In addition to planning and carrying out your research, you will also be expected to write up results for publication and oral presentations, to liaise with collaborators, and to assist in the support of research students.

The following are essential requirements for the role:

• To hold a PhD, or equivalent level of professional qualifications and experience, in Chemistry or a related discipline, where EPR spectroscopy played a major role; if little experience in pulse EPR, a willingness and aptitude to learn pulse EPR is essential
• BSc and Master (or equivalent) degree in Chemistry or a related subject
• Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of people, along with team working skills
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication
• Ability to plan and conduct research independently
• Ability and willingness to supervise more junior researchers
• The following are desirable requirements for the role:
• Experience redox-active metal compounds or redox chemistry
• Experience with anaerobic sample preparation
• Experience with electrochemistry or spectroelectrochemistry
• Experience with density functional theory (DFT