Supervisory Team: Dr Gregory Perry
The aim of this project is to develop new methods and reagents for isotope labelling.
Isotope chemistry is an important area in academia and industry, particularly towards the development of new medicines and agrochemicals. This project will build on our previous results in this area towards carbon isotope labelling. We are particularly interested in improving this chemistry by modifying the reagent design and employing various advanced techniques within organometallic chemistry, transition metal catalysis, photoredox catalysis, mechanochemistry, flow chemistry and organic electrosynthesis.
You will acquire skills in synthetic organic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, catalysis and isotope chemistry (synthesis, purification and characterisation). Within this, You will gain experience in a range of useful synthetic technologies, such as photochemical, electrochemical, flow and mechanochemical techniques. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities including Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometers, Infrared (IR), Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-vis), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) instruments, X-ray diffractometers and the University’s high performance computer system.
You will therefore be trained within an important discipline that will strengthen your career prospects post-PhD. You will be encouraged to participate in group meetings, school seminars, and attend national or international conferences. This will provide you with the opportunity to present your research and engage with scientists from around the world. The University of Southampton also provides a dedicated postgraduate research (PGR) development hub that holds a variety of training courses and support services to promote well-being and employability.
Entry Requirements
A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent.
You must be a motivated individual with a passion for organic chemistry.
Closing date: 31 January 2026. Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.
Funding: Fully funded for UK students and those eligible for a Horizon Europe fee waiver.
How To Apply
Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk)
You need to:
- choose programme type (Research), 2026/27, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- select Full time or Part time
- search for programme PhD Chemistry (7189)
- add name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application
Applications should include:
- your CV (resumé)
- 2 academic references
- degree transcripts and certificates to date
- English language qualification (if applicable)
For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk
The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break.
The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
