PhD Institute of Chemical Sciences

The Institute of Chemical Sciences (ICS) performs research across a broad range of chemistry, including both fundamental studies, and applied and interdisciplinary work with impact on current societal challenges. Our diverse PhD research includes the chemical synthesis of organic and biologically-active compounds, inorganic and organometallic compounds and supramolecular species, as well as the preparation of novel polymeric, inorganic, composite and hybrid materials for technological applications. We study behaviour at interfaces relevant to catalysis and environmental science and develop novel spectroscopic techniques to study these phenomena. Computational modeling underpins much of our experimental research through the rationalisation and prediction of the properties and behaviour of molecules and extended systems. Expertise in ICS therefore links strongly to the biomolecular and material sciences and the energy and life science sectors. Dynamics and Structure: Research covers both experiment and theory, focussing on fundamental chemical and physical processes that underlie molecular interactions of practical importance. State-of-the-art experimental and theoretical methods are used to study topics including energy transfer, reaction dynamics, processes at surfaces and molecular photophysics. Materials Chemistry: Research seeks to understand the relationship between composition, structure and property in a broad spectrum of materials, in order to proceed to the rational design of new materials with controllable functionality. Our research, combining aspects of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, encompasses photovoltaic and thermoelectric materials, high-performance polymers, porous solids, catalysts and magnetic materials. Molecular Chemistry: The molecular chemistry group explores the synthesis, structure and chemistry of molecules and their supramolecular assemblies. This includes the development of new synthetic methods in organic and inorganic chemistry (both main group and transition metal) and at the organometallic interface, with theoretical support from computational chemistry to elucidate reaction mechanisms.