Research degrees

The Department of Chemistry offers popular industry-relevant opportunities across a range of areas, including energy, markers and detection; crime and security; chemical process technologies; and catalysis and functional modules.

The Department of Chemistry is undergoing an exciting period of development. Our STEMLab facilities and recently refurbished research laboratories provide an outstanding environment to conduct scientific research.

As a research student in the Department of Chemistry you will join a team of around 45 staff members and approximately 50 research students plus post-doctoral researchers and fellows. You will be encouraged to participate in conferences and provided with opportunities to present your research work.

Much of the current research is supported by Research Councils, Government Departments, Charitable Institutions and Industrial Companies.

There are four main areas of research activity: analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic and biomedical chemistry, and physical chemistry.

Next steps

If you are interested in joining our team of PhD researchers you can find details of current funded and unfunded opportunities in the prospectus (below) or, if you prefer, you can browse our research pages to see the areas of research we are involved with. You can then enquire directly to a particular member of staff and they will be happy to help you develop your research proposal. We also recommend you visit the Department to see our facilities and to meet our academic staff and research students.

Research opportunities in the online prospectus

Find out more about our self-funded and funded PhD degrees in the online prospectus.

  • Self-funded degress are existing projects which have already had a topic and supervisor allocated, but which require you to provide your own funding.
  • Funded PhD degrees are funded studentship opportunities within the Department of Chemistry.
Research opportunities in the prospectus

What you can expect

An active, dynamic research community

Staff in the department are engaged in high profile research that reflects key national and international strategic imperatives.

Excellent facilities

The Department of Chemistry is well equipped to carry out research spanning all the traditional branches of chemistry. All research students are provided with their own research space, storage space, access to research equipment and facilities, computers, IT equipment and extensive library resources.

Support, collaboration and personal development

Our research students have the expert guidance of their supervisor, attend regular research seminars, group meetings and conferences, and can gain practical experience of teaching undergraduate students as well as having opportunities to undertake research placements.

Find out more