Job Description
Overview
Your degree programme will place you in the world-leading Department of Chemistry, with multi-disciplinary research expertise, unparalleled facilities and dynamic support infrastructure to revolutionise your research and development.
Introduction
The Department of Chemistry is a place where academic and industrial researchers work side by side, sharing knowledge in highly advanced research labs and supporting your career development.
Join us and you’ll be based in a state-of-the art environment that has a strong focus on cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. We are internationally known for our research, with 99% of our outputs ranked as internationally leading or excellent in the Research Excellence Framework, 2021. Our 50 academic staff cover a broad scientific spectrum, and we operate in 5 flexible research groupings. Our research impact is felt on a global scale, from antimalarial drug discovery to one of the best-known methods for making nanoparticles.
Few organisations can match our facilities, team and programmes if your passion lies in chemistry research. As part of your research training, you will be encouraged to attend conferences and present your results both within the Department of Chemistry and externally.
It’s possible to study full or part-time for an MPhil or PhD. Part-time study is arranged through enquiry on an individual basis and is useful if you work in industry and want to continue with your career while studying.
Research topics
PhD students can undertake research in a range of cutting-edge areas within Chemistry. Our research is structured around the following key research groupings:
- The Chemical Models cluster innovates all aspects of modelling chemical systems (electronic structure calculations, classical and quantum simulations, data-based and machine learning models and novel combinations thereof)
- The Chemistry of World Health cluster focuses on medicinal chemistry, materials chemistry for nanomedicines, molecular modelling, antimicrobial surfaces research, and bio-organic chemistry with on-campus collaborations with the Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
- Energy and Interfaces focuses on renewable energy and interface and nanoscale science with additional core research activities in biomass transformations, heterogeneous catalysis and antimicrobials
- Materials Chemistry focuses on renewable energy and interface and nanoscale science with additional core research activities in biomass transformations, heterogeneous catalysis and antimicrobials
- The Organic Synthesis and Catalysis cluster spans studies on fundamental reactivity through to the provision of synthetic methods for fine chemical synthesis (e.g. pharmaceuticals), bulk chemical manufacture and materials chemistry.
Research culture
Join us and you’ll be based in a state-of-the art environment that has a strong focus on novel interdisciplinary research. Our research groups carry out cutting-edge research in fast-moving fields such as nanotechnology and drug design. Often this involves collaboration with colleagues in other fields such as biology, materials science and physics.
As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll be fully involved in our research activity. This will bring you into contact not only with new concepts, but also our prestigious partners in academia, industry and research worldwide.
How to apply
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1. Identify potential supervisors
View the staff list for the Department of Chemistry, for details of potential supervisors in this area.
If you’d like any help finding a supervisor, please email spspgr@liverpool.ac.uk.
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2. Prepare your application documents
You may need the following documents to complete your online application:
- A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake)
- University transcripts and degree certificates to date
- Passport details (international applicants only)
- English language certificates (international applicants only)
- A personal statement
- A curriculum vitae (CV)
- Contact details for two proposed supervisors
- Names and contact details of two referees.
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3. Apply
Finally, register and apply online. You’ll receive an email acknowledgment once you’ve submitted your application. We’ll be in touch with further details about what happens next.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for a full-time place on this programme in academic year 2025-26 are:
- £5,006 per year for UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland students
- £24,600 or £31,250 per year for international students.
Tuition fees for a part-time place on this programme in academic year 2025-26 are:
- £2,503 per year for UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland students
- £12,300 or £15,650 per year for international students.
Please note, the tuition fee you pay will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others, for example if you’re required to undertake laboratory work. You’ll be informed of the fee for your intended PhD in your offer letter.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this degree, as well as general student living costs.
Funding your PhD
If you’re a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.
There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.
Duncan Norman Research Scholarship
If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £17,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.
Sport Liverpool Performance Programme
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
