PhD Studentship: Biomimetic Foldamers as a New Class of Sustainable Catalysts
University of Birmingham
Foldamers are synthetic oligomers that adopt stable conformations bio-inspired (e.g., helices) but their solid forms have recently been shown to have functional applications in materials science, supramolecular chemistry and biological chemistry. Foldamers possess excellent bio- and environmental-compatibility and, due to their modular system design, have highly tuneable molecular properties. Importantly, we have shown that the compressibility and molecular dipole of foldamers can be readily and widely tuned. He...
Foldamers are synthetic oligomers that adopt stable conformations bio-inspired (e.g., helices) but their solid forms have recently been shown to have functional applications in materials science, supramolecular chemistry and biological chemistry. Foldamers possess excellent bio- and environmental-compatibility and, due to their modular system design, have highly tuneable molecular properties. Importantly, we have shown that the compressibility and molecular dipole of foldamers can be readily and widely tuned. He...
Opportunity details
Foldamers are synthetic oligomers that adopt stable conformations bio-inspired (e.g., helices) but their solid forms have recently been shown to have functional applications in materials science, supramolecular chemistry and biological chemistry. Foldamers possess excellent bio- and environmental-compatibility and, due to their modular system design, have highly tuneable molecular properties. Importantly, we have shown that the compressibility and molecular dipole of foldamers can be readily and widely tuned. Hence, given their bio- and environmental-compatibility and highly tuneable nature, this makes biomimetic foldamers ideal candidates in the search for new sustainable catalysts. Objective: This project will establish foldamers as a new class of bio- and environmentally-compatible sustainable catalysts, which are highly tuneable for use in green synthesis of functional organic molecules. Methodology: The project requires a combination of organic chemistry synthesis and advanced analytical study including computational analysis to generate the novel foldamers and to assess their performance as sustainable catalysts. This work will be carried out under the supervision of Drs. Pike and Michalchuk in the Department of Chemistry. The project will be supervised by Dr Sarah Pike and Dr Adam Michalchuk. Candidates should check their eligibility on the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership CDT website (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp) before applying. Deadline for applications: 23rd November 2026 Funding notes: This PhD studentship is fully funded through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership CDT (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp). You will need a 1st class degree in chemistry Applications should be made here: https:/...
Eligibility
Hence, given their bio- and environmental-compatibility and highly tuneable nature, this makes biomimetic foldamers ideal candidates in the search for new sustainable catalysts. Candidates should check their eligibility on the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership CDT website (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp) before applying. You will need a 1st class degree in chemistry Applications should be made here: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp/phd/supervisors/SPike/#Biomimetic_Foldamers References: I.
Requirements
Hence, given their bio- and environmental-compatibility and highly tuneable nature, this makes biomimetic foldamers ideal candidates in the search for new sustainable catalysts. Candidates should check their eligibility on the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership CDT website (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp) before applying. You will need a 1st class degree in chemistry Applications should be made here: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp/phd/supervisors/SPike/#Biomimetic_Foldamers References: I.
Funding and benefits
Funding eligibility: UK Students, EU Students. References: I. Saraogi et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2009, 38, 1726. A. D. Peters et al., Chem. Sci., 2020, 11, 7023. K. Kubota et al., Belstein J. Org. Chem., 2022, 18, 855.
Required documents
References
How to apply
Foldamers are synthetic oligomers that adopt stable conformations bio-inspired (e.g., helices) but their solid forms have recently been shown to have functional applications in materials science, supramolecular chemistry and biological chemistry. Candidates should check their eligibility on the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership CDT website (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp) before applying. Deadline for applications: 23rd November 2026 Funding notes: This PhD studentship is fully funded through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership CDT (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp). You will need a 1st class degree in chemistry Applications should be made here: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp/phd/supervisors/SPike/#Biomimetic_Foldamers References: I.
Open the official application information
Verify the deadline and final conditions on the official provider page before submitting an application.
Source and verification
Check the current official call before applying
Recorded source check: October 30, 2026. A stored check date does not guarantee that every field is complete or still current. Compare the provider, eligibility, funding and deadline with the live official call before applying.
Benefits
Funding eligibility: UK Students, EU Students. References: I. Saraogi et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2009, 38, 1726. A. D. Peters et al., Chem. Sci., 2020, 11, 7023. K. Kubota et al., Belstein J. Org. Chem., 2022, 18, 855.
Eligibility summary
Hence, given their bio- and environmental-compatibility and highly tuneable nature, this makes biomimetic foldamers ideal candidates in the search for new sustainable catalysts. Candidates should check their eligibility on the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership CDT website (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp) before applying. You will need a 1st class degree in chemistry Applications should be made here: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp/phd/supervisors/SPike/#Biomimetic_Foldamers References: I.
Requirements
Hence, given their bio- and environmental-compatibility and highly tuneable nature, this makes biomimetic foldamers ideal candidates in the search for new sustainable catalysts. Candidates should check their eligibility on the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership CDT website (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp) before applying. You will need a 1st class degree in chemistry Applications should be made here: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp/phd/supervisors/SPike/#Biomimetic_Foldamers References: I.
Documents required
References
Language/test requirements
Listing-board disclaimer
Prime Scholarship Alerts is an independent listing board, not the scholarship provider, university or funder. We do not select applicants, collect provider application fees or guarantee an award. Verify requirements, deadlines, funding, fees and application instructions through the current provider page before applying.