Chemistry PhD
A PhD is a chance to make an original contribution to science as an individual. You will have a chance to learn about the basic principles underlying your science, and put into practice all that theory you learnt as an undergraduate.
The 3-year Chemistry PhD programme is focused on a major piece of original research. You will study under the direct supervision of a member of staff, who is an expert in his or her area of specialisation.
For more information, please see the tabs below.
Background
Studying for a PhD in Chemistry is one of the most exciting things you will do in your scientific career, as you will have the opportunity to pursue novel research on an individual basis. UCL offers PhD studies in all branches of Chemistry. To find an area of research that interests you, look at the individual academic staff pages. You can also look at the full list of available projects in the available projects tab.
Programme Structure
Most students will start in late September, although studentships become available at other times during the year.
Students are monitored at regular intervals throughout the period of their PhD. Towards the end of their first year (June) each student writes a short report. The student's second supervisor reads the report and conducts a mini-viva (interview) with the student. This provides the student with valuable insights into how to work towards their thesis, as well as establishing whether the student has the motivation and ability to complete a thesis.
In their second year, all students produce and present a poster outlining the research work already completed. In addition students write a more in-depth report detailing their progress to date. This report is assessed by a small panel who decide whether the students progress is suitable to progress to completion of their PhD.
In the final year, it is hoped that students will be able to design, initiate and pursue their own investigations without extensive supervision. Students are expected to have begun writing their thesis before the end of the third year of study.
A thesis must be submitted four years from the start date of the PhD, and will be examined in a viva voce examination shortly after submission.
Although working for a higher degree involves considerable specialization on the part of the student, it is a policy of the department to ensure that a student's broader chemical background and general transferable skills are developed. In addition to work associated directly with the research project, students are also expected to attend an appropriate set of courses to develop their knowledge and skills based on the UCL Graduate School Research Student Log.
How To Apply
Information on the application procedure is included below.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Eligibility requirements vary depending on the source of funding for the PhD. A large number of PhD studentships in the UCL Chemistry Department are funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Countil or Natural Environment Research Council and full details are available on the EPSRC, BBSRC and NERC websites.
Qualifications
Candidates should have or expect to gain a 2(i) or first class MSci or MChem degree (or an equivalent qualification).
Fees and Funding
Project funding includes a stipend of approximately £15000 (tax free) per annum and covers the University fees at the standard UK rate. EPSRC, BBSRC and NERC funding is only available to home students.
Funding may also be provided through the European Union, by charitable awards and scholarships or via an industrial sponsor and will be provided at similar rates to those provided via the research councils.
UCL offers some scholarships for graduate studies, the details of which can be found on the UCL graduate scholarships pages.
Application Procedure
All applicants must complete a UCL Graduate Student application form. We are happy to receive both online applications and hard copy applications, please follow the steps below.
On-line application:
You will first be required to register and create an account. Once registered please follow on the on-screen instructions.
When searching for the correct programme please select “MPhil/PhD Chemistry”.
Under “Name(s) of Proposed Supervisors” please enter “PhD Programme”
You will need to provide details of your referees as part of the online application. The system will contact your referees using these details. Please note: your application will not be processed until both your referees have submitted their references. You can use the on-line system to check whether your references have been submitted or to send your referees a reminder.
Before submitting the on-line application please print a copy of the application form. Please send the hard copy of the application form, together with your application number, a CV and a a one-page statement explaining why you wish to follow this programme, to
Mary Lou Jabore
UCL Department of Chemistry
20, Gordon Street
London WC1H 0AJ
Your CV should include details of your academic qualifications and the contact details of two referees, one of whom should be familiar with your research career to date.
Hard copy application:
Please download the Graduate Student application form and send the hard copy of the application form, together with your application number, a CV and a a one-page statement explaining why you wish to follow this programme, to
Mary Lou Jabore
UCL Department of Chemistry
20, Gordon Street
London WC1H 0AJ
Your CV should include details of your academic qualifications and the contact details of two referees, one of whom should be familiar with your research career to date.
You will need to provide details of your referees as part of the online application. The system will contact your referees using these details. Please note: your application will not be processed until both your referees have submitted their references. You can use the on-line system to check whether your references have been submitted or to send your referees a reminder.
Deadline for Application
Application for PhD studentships can be made at any time of the year. Currently available projects can be found in the Available Projects tab.
Available Projects
PhD vacancies currently available in the department are shown below:
3-year PhD CASE studentship: Computer modelling of condensation reactions in zeolites.
Publication date: 7 June 2013
University College London - UCL Chemistry Department
A 3-year PhD studentship is available in the UCL Chemistry Department to work with Dr Furio Cora and Dr Rob Bell on the modelling of zeolite-catalysed condensation reactions of aldehydes and ketones. The project will require the application of both classical dynamics simulations and quantum mechanical methods to model the adsorption behaviour and reactivity of various molecules within microporous zeolite catalysts. The project is supported by a CASE award in collaboration with BP Chemicals.
The successful applicant will have a good degree (1st or 2:1) in a relevant subject, e.g. chemistry, physics or materials science, and an interest in computational research. The stipend will be £15590 p.a., supplemented by a CASE enhancement of £2000 p.a. The project is intended to start in September 2013.
To apply, please email an up-to-date CV to Dr Rob Bell, r.g.bell@ucl.ac.uk, who may also be approached for informal enquiries. Please note that due to funding restrictions only UK/EU citizens are eligible for this studentship
Multi-scale Catalyst Imaging of Catalysts under reaction conditions
Publication date: 6 June 2013
Dr. Andrew M. Beale (UCL Chemistry), Dr Paul Shearing (UCL Chem. Eng.)
and Prof. Peter D. Lee (Univ. Manchester)
The interaction of brucite surfaces with uranium and its fission products – Prof Nik Kaltsoyannis
Publication date: 23 April 2013
Summary: A PhD studentship is available to work with Professor Nik Kaltsoyannis (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/chemistry/staff/academic_pages/nik_kaltsoyannis), to study computationally the interactions of brucite (Mg(OH)2) surfaces with uranium and its fission products. The position is funded jointly by UCL (through its Impact Award Scheme) and the UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (via the National Nuclear Laboratory). This studentship is available from September 2013, and is open to all suitably qualified UK and EU students.
Targeted epigenetic reprogramming using chemical biological tools - Dr Stefan Howorka
Publication date: 22 June 2012
Closing date: 30th June 2012
Summary: Applications are invited for a 3-year PhD studentship commencing in October
2012. The proposed project will develop a research tool to achieve conditional and
sequence-specific alteration of DNA methylation patterns in vitro and in vivo,
something which is currently not possibly. The approach will potentially lead to
a novel treatment for cancer. The project will encompass the chemical synthesis
of the research reagent and its characterization using epigenetic, biochemical
and cell biological assays. The PhD candidate will receive training within a
research group and via the PhD training programme.
Ab initio simulations of water and ice - Dr Angelos Michaelides
Publication date: 1 May 2012
Summary: Several PhD positions in theoretical chemistry are available involving the application and development of electronic structure techniques to problems in nanotechnology relating to the interfacial properties of water and ice.
Atomic scale imaging and local spectroscopy of CeO2 - Prof Geoff Thornton
Publication date: 5 March 2012
PhD Studentship (to start October 2012)
London Centre for Nanotechnology
University College London
Summary: Applications are invited for a 4-year PhD studentship. The aim of this project is to provide an understanding of the chemical physics of single-crystalline CeO2 in relation to hydrogen production.
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Further Information
Information on all aspects of studying at UCL as a postgraduate can be found on the UCL graduate study page.
For any further information regarding the Chemistry PhD please contact the postgraduate tutor by completing the following form, outlining your request using the Additional Information box.
