PhD Student - Transition Metal Catalysis for C-H Bond Late-stage Functionalization

Research theme: Organic synthesis and catalysis

How to apply: uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

No. of positions: 1

This 3.5 year PhD is fully funded for home students; 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. The project will start between Sept 2025 - March 2029. Please apply early as the advert may be removed once the position is filled.

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship in organic chemistry and catalysis in the Larrosa laboratory at the Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester. The studentship is available from September 2025 for 3.5 years.

The project will be in the area of transition metal catalysis and its applications to organic synthesis, particularly on C-H bond activation and their transformation into versatile functionalities. The project will involve the development of novel metal catalysed C-H activation-based transformations, with a particular emphasis on late-stage functionalization. Students will develop a strong background in catalysis, organic synthesis, organometallic chemistry and the development of mechanistic understanding. For recent examples of the Larrosa group in this area, see:

“Precision Installation of Silyl Synthetic Handles to Arenes by Regiocontrolled Ruthenium C(sp2)-H Functionalisation”, Nature Catal. 2025, 10.1038/s41929-025-01309-6

“Bis-Cycloruthenated Complexes in Visible Light-Induced C–H Alkylation with Epoxides”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025, 147, 5035-5042.

“An air- and moisture-stable ruthenium precatalyst for diverse reactivity”, Nature Chem. 2024, 16, 1141-1150.

For a review, see:

“Transition-Metal-Catalyzed C–H Bond Activation for the Formation of C–C Bonds in Complex Molecules”, Chem. Rev. 2023, 123, 7692-7760.

Informal enquiries are welcome to Prof. Igor Larrosa (igor.larrosa@manchester.ac.uk )

To apply, please contact Prof. Igor Larrosa (igor.larrosa@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.