About the project
Traditional analytical methods are often overwhelmed by complex samples. In partnership with your supervisors and LECO Instruments UK Ltd, you'll develop new analytical methods, on world-leading comprehensive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCxGC-MS) instrumentation, providing greater insights and helping to address challenges in a range of academic and industrial sectors.
Volatile organic compounds are emitted by a wide range of materials. Assays that profile these compounds are of great importance in academia and industry, providing unique insights into complex samples. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is the preferred technique for compound identification in most analytical laboratories. However, in many cases traditional methods can be overwhelmed by the number of compounds present.
LECO is a leader in innovative analytical instrumentation, especially comprehensive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCxGC-MS), which enables many more compounds to be resolved, identified and quantified. The supervisors have many decades of expert level experience in the development of advanced analytical solutions, solving challenges in numerous fields.
You'll work with the supervisors and commercial partner to develop novel assays to provide greater insights into complex samples applicable in several sectors, including but not exclusively:
- distilled spirits
- food
- automotive
- environmental and life sciences
In addition, this project will build on our previous work in this area, utilising gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC×GC-MS), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), and selected ion flow tube–mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS). We are particularly interested in developing novel assays that provide as full a picture as possible. You will acquire skills in assay development and optimisation, diverse sample collection methods, comprehensive gas chromatography (GCxGC) method optimisation and data analysis.
You'll have full access to the state-of-the-art Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Facility including Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Supercritical Fluid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (SFC-MS) and the LECO Pegasus BT HRT+, LECO Pegasus BT (LN2) and the LECO Pegasus BTX- Paradigm Shift 2D GC-MS instruments. You'll also have access to a range of other detector systems. You will be trained in both the theoretical and practical aspects of chromatography and mass spectrometry and analytical chemistry that will strengthen your career prospects post-PhD.
You'll 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.
The lead supervisor of this project is Professor Geraint (Taff) Morgan.
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.
