Dr Roly J. Armstrong
Room 2.67
Bedson Building
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
United Kingdom
Email: roly.armstrong’at’newcastle.ac.uk
PhD Positions
We have an opportunity for a fully funded 4-year PhD studentship to start in October 2026. The closing date to apply for this is 18th Jan. You can find out more information about the project and how to apply here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/fees-funding/search-funding/?code=DLA2628.
The project is in collaboration with Syngenta and will include a 12-week placement with them to make use of their state-of-the-art facilities and gain some experience of working in an industrial setting.
This project will focus on developing new synthetic methods to prepare and use organosodium reagents. Most chemists are already familiar with the importance and versatility of organolithium reagents, which are widely used in synthetic chemistry, but there is growing interest in sodium analogues due to sustainability concerns. Lithium is relatively scarce (≤20 ppm) and increasingly in demand for battery technologies, whereas sodium is over 1,000 times more abundant, making it a far more sustainable alternative. Working in partnership with the globally leading agrochemical company Syngenta, this project will develop and apply new organosodium reagents in organic synthesis, building on our recent work using Group 1 metals to enable sustainable, mechanochemical processes. The aim is to establish new catalytic reactions for the sustainable synthesis of biologically relevant molecules. The student will gain hands-on training in modern synthetic chemistry, purification, and analysis.
Applications need to be placed via the NU Portal, but informal queries are welcome via email.
Postdoctoral Positions
Funded positions will be advertised here, as well as the Newcastle University web pages.
When funded positions are not available, researchers wishing to join the group are encouraged to apply for postdoctoral fellowships. Some possible opportunities for postdoctoral funding are highlighted below:
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowships
• EPSRC Post-doctoral Fellowships
• Leverhulme Trust
• Newton International Fellowships
• Ramsay Memorial Fellowship
Talented applicants will be provided with assistance in preparing highly competitive applications. Please contact Roly directly by email in advance of any application.