Tailoring building blocks for carbohydrate assemblies: combined NMR and computational approach (KHIMYAK_U25DTP1)

Primary Supervisor – Professor Yaroslav Khimyak 

Imagine a world free of oil-based plastics where biodegradable materials based on carbohydrates, the most abundant polymers on Earth, reigned supreme. Carbohydrates fulfil many important biological functions ranging from their ability to impart molecular recognition within (cell wall structure) and between species (infection). The natural self-assembly of sugar chains into complex 3D architectures is central to these functions, and also to widespread applications in food, packaging, pharmaceutical tabletting etc. Cellulose is widely used across industrial sectors, but we still lack insight into how to manipulate its properties. Rational (re)-design is particularly challenging for cellulose based materials, due to the complexity of the organisation of cellulose chains into distinct ordered and disordered domains, and the intricate arrangements of particle networks at the microscale level. 

Incorporating modified cellulose building blocks represents a powerful strategy for tuning self assembly and for the design of novel renewable materials. This project will enable a PhD student to achieve a comprehensive understanding of structural and interface properties of novel carbohydrates with fluorine-containing building blocks, from molecular to microscopic scale through combined use of advanced experimental and computational approaches.  

We are looking for a motivated PhD student with skills in either chemistry, biological sciences or molecular modelling and willing to learn how to work across different disciplines. By joining an interdisplinary team of research leaders in carbohydrate synthesis, characterisation and molecular modelling, the student will have the opportunity to master cutting-edge NMR spectroscopy and computational methods, and apply them to understand the self-assembly of 3D carbohydrate materials. As a student you will join the Norwich Research Park, one the largest concentrations of biological researchers in the UK, offering exceptional graduate research and training opportunities. This unique set of scientific and research management skills is relevant across many areas of modern Biosiences for a successful careeer in academia or industry.   

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2025 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP CASE students undertake a three to 18-month placement with the non-academic partner during their study. The placement offers experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team. Students with, or expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply. 

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 28, 29 or 30 January 2025.  

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/

Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background. 

Entry requirements

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 or UK equivalence Master’s degree. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). 

Mode of study

Full time

Start date

1 October 2025