PhD Studentships
Current PhD vacancies are listed below. See the postgraduate pages for more information on our PhD programmes.
Current Available Studentships
Computational Chemistry Studentships
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
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.
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.
Applications for Research Engineers for the Engineering Doctorate Centre in Molecular Modelling and Materials Simulation - Prof Nora de Leeuw
Publication date: 1 May 2012
Summary: Applications are invited for Research Engineers for the Engineering Doctorate Centre in Molecular Modelling and Materials Simulation. The Engineering Doctorate Centre is jointly run by the Departments of Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Physics and the Birkbeck Industrial Materials Group. All the Departments have significant (internationally-leading) research programmes in the area of materials computer modelling over a range of length- and time-scales.
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Inorganic and Materials Chemistry Studentships
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)
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Biological and Organic Chemistry Studentships
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.
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Physical Chemistry Studentships
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.

