Sustainable biocatalytic routes from lignin to substituted pyridine building blocks

The EPSRC and BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Negative Emission Technologies for Net Zero (CDT in Net2Zero) is an equal partnership between Aston University (lead), University of Nottingham, Queen’s University Belfast, and University of Warwick. Through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration, this CDT aims to tackle global challenges related to climate change and sustainability. 

Our four-year doctoral programme is training the next generation of research leaders tasked to remove greenhouse gases from the environment.  The CDT in Net2Zero focuses on the use of biomass to replace fossil fuels and removal (or capture) of CO2 from the atmosphere, with the potential to create new sources of fuels and chemicals. The centre’s expertise covers Direct Air Capture and CO2 Storage (DACCS), CO2 utilisation, biochar synthesis and utilisation, biomass transition to materials and chemicals, and biomass to energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) etc.

Through our research training programme, you will be able to: 

• Develop a network with doctoral researchers, academia, government and industry.
• Access to cutting-edge facilities and opportunities for international collaboration, preparing you for a successful career in academia, industry, or policymaking.
• Carry out a training programme covering practical engineering, communication, entrepreneurship, and business skills to prepare students for diverse sectors.
• The CDT facilitates direct contact between students, industrial partners, policy makers, and third sector organisations to support future careers. You will have the opportunity of a three-month placement with industry, research collaborators or policymakers.

Overview and Background 

​This project is in collaboration with, and supported by, Syngenta.  

​​The project aims to convert lignin, an aromatic heteropolymer found in plant biomass, into pyridine chemicals, specifically for agrochemical applications (collaboration with Syngenta).  

​​Prof. Bugg’s research group has previously developed a biocatalytic route from lignin to pyridine dicarboxylic acids in Rhodococcus jostii RHA1, via oxidative ring cleavage and ammonia cyclisation. This route will be adapted to process C3 substituted alkyl guaiacols obtained from reductive catalytic fractionation of lignin into pyridine carboxylic acids containing a C3 sidechain, which are analogues of fusaric acid, a natural herbicide/insecticide. The route will be investigated both in vitro using purified recombinant enzymes, and in Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 as a microbial host. Other types of cyclisation reaction will also be investigated, in order to generate different types of heterocycle, and biotransformation of other compounds derived from chemocatalytic processing of lignin will be investigated.  

​ ​The project will involve enzymology, microbial biotransformations, and analytical biochemistry. 

Supervisors: Supervisors: ​​​​Prof. Tim Bugg, Dr William Whittingham (Syngenta)​​​​ 

Contact information

For any enquiries about this project, please contact the Net2Zero CDT team

PhD programmes are for those who are seeking to develop greater in-depth knowledge in a specific area. Completing this level of study is about making an original contribution to knowledge, making new discoveries and developing lifelong skills. 

Person Specification

This opportunity is for home fee status candidates only. You can find the rules for home fee eligibility.

Required

• ​​A strong foundation in chemistry or biochemistry with First or Upper Second-Class honours degree (or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution). 
• ​Experience of project work in biological chemistry and/or working with enzymes. 
• ​Experience or knowledge of biochemical techniques, including: working with microbes, protein overproduction and purification, enzyme assays, biotransformations.   
• ​Excellent organisational and communication skills. 
• ​Strong motivation for curiosity-driven research.​ 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of the Net2Zero CDT and we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in a higher education setting.  These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ people, and women.

Aston University is committed to the principles of the Athena SWAN Charter, recognised recently by a prestigious Gold Award for gender equality. Our commitment to advancing race equality has been recognised with a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award. We pride ourselves on our vibrant, friendly and supportive working environment and family atmosphere.

Financial Support

• Four-year studentships with a tax-free stipend at UKRI rate (£20,780 per year for 2025/26), 
• Paid tuition fees
• A generous research training support grant.

• Four-year studentships with a tax-free stipend at UKRI rate (£21,805 per year for 2026/27)
• Paid tuition fees
• A generous research training support grant.

This opportunity is only available to applicants who qualify for home fee status. You can find the rules for home fee eligibility.

Applications for this project from international candidates will not be considered.

Submitting an Expression of Interest

When submitting the Expression of Interest, we will need some information from you, we will be asking about:

1. Your personal details for processing the application.
2. A copy of your passport and, where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.
3. Your personal characteristics, for monitoring purposes only.
4. Your Academic background.  We will require English language copies (or screen captures) of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor's degrees.
5. If English is not your first language, you will be required to present evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. You can submit the evidence at a later stage.
6. Your research background and experience.
7. Expressions of interest will be assessed against the following criteria:
   1. Candidate’s motivation and experience: The extent to which the candidate’s expertise, experience, and ambitions align with the goals of the Net²Zero CDT programme.
   2. If you are shortlisted, you will have the opportunity to meet the potential supervisors.

If, after formal interviews, you are offered a place in the training programme, you will be required to submit a formal application within the Home Institution (Aston University, University of Nottingham, University of Warwick, or The Queen’s University of Belfast)

Studying a PhD is great route into academia and industries that are centred on research and innovation. Areas with a demand for very high level and specialised research skills often demand PhDs.

In addition to this specialist knowledge, PhD education will help you to develop a set of valuable transferrable skills. The very nature of studying an intensive research degree will enable you to become a team player, develop problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and advanced presentation and communication skills.