We welcome applications and enquiries from candidates in the UK and overseas for both the MSc by Research and PhD programs which are available in all branches of chemistry.
There are also opportunities to study for a PhD in the two EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training:
The PhD programme usually takes 3-4 years to complete. Postgraduates make a vital contribution in research whilst developing a variety of skills in chemistry and transferable skills in other areas for example, oral and poster presentations both in Bristol and at conferences, report writing, team working, public engagement in science and health and safety.
The Graduate School offers a varied series of postgraduate lectures. There is an extensive research seminar programme with internationally leading scientists reporting their latest results in cutting edge research. Also available are special postgraduate courses run as part of the two Doctoral Training Centres.
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded on the basis of the presentation and examination of a thesis and an oral examination (viva voce). Annual Progress Monitoring ensures satisfactory performance each year.
The MSc by Research programme usually takes 1-2 years to complete. The degree is awarded on the basis of the presentation and examination of a thesis and an oral examination (viva voce). An extensive programme of lectures and research seminars is available to all postgraduates.
A newly developed MSc in Chemical Synthesis is also available via the Bristol Chemical Synthesis DTC
Applications are accepted throughout the year. To make an application for a PhD or MSc in any branch of chemistry and /or the Bristol Chemical Synthesis Doctoral Training Centre you should complete the on-line application form.
Please note that a research proposal is not required but you should indicate your general area of research interest (e.g. laser spectroscopy, organic synthesis, catalysis etc) and preferred supervisor(s) if known. It is not necessary to contact supervisors separately.
If you wish to apply to more than one programme e.g. a standard route PhD in Chemistry and the Chemical Synthesis DTC, please submit only one application and indicate on the form that you are interested in both.
For applications to the DTC for Functional Nanomaterials, please follow the instructions on their webpages.
If you have any queries about completing the application form contact: chem-pg-office@bristol.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)117 928 8166.
We do not usually hold Postgraduate Open Days.
Candidates from the UK will be selected to visit the Department once the completed application form has been submitted and 2 reference letters received. During the visit there will be opportunity to discuss research projects with several members of academic staff, to meet postgraduates and to see the facilities. Hence on completing the application form it is helpful if you indicate your general areas of research interests.
It is often not practical for applicants from the EU or overseas to visit the Department due to travel costs. Hence correspondence will be done through email and a Skype or telephone interview may be arranged.
For further information please contact the appropriate Postgraduate Admissions co-ordinator:-
If you are uncertain which of the above to contact, please email the Director of Graduate Recruitment, Professor Chris Willis.
The School of Chemistry welcomes applications from enthusiastic and highly motivated students. Admission to the PhD or MSc by Research program is subject to the conditions set out by the University.
The standard entry requirement for the PhD program is an upper second-class honours degree (e.g. MChem, MSci) or equivalent is required. Applicants with a lower second-class honours degree (e.g. MChem, MSci) or an upper second-class honours BSc degree may be admitted if they can demonstrate good potential for research. The usual academic requirement for entry into the MSc by Research program is a first or upper second honours degree (BSc) or equivalent.
The School of Chemistry welcomes postgraduates from outside the UK and actively encourages applications from suitably qualified candidates. About 20% of our students are non-UK and we are delighted to have postgraduates from all round the globe. For information on international equivalent qualifications, please see our International Office website.
If your first degree was not taught in English, you will need to take an English Language test, ideally the British Council IELTS. It is a policy of the University that to embark on a postgraduate degree in chemistry a minimum standard of 6.0 in IELTS is required with at least 5.5 in all bands.
If you have not achieved this standard at the time of application do not despair. The University runs pre-sessional English Language courses and other Language Schools in Bristol offer similar courses allowing you to improve your English before starting working for your degree. These courses are at additional costs.
| EU/UK | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | £3,828 | £14,900 |
Living expenses: It is estimated that at least £10,000 per year will be needed for accommodation and living expenses.
Bench Fees: £3 - 5K per annum depending on the research topic.
Please indicate on the standard application form if you wish to be considered for any of the scholarships listed below. There is no separate application process.
School of Chemistry scholarships: The School of Chemistry is pleased to offer a number of scholarships to assist with bench fees to applicants with exceptional research potential. No closing date.
Available only to applicants with a fee status at the EU/UK rate
Scholarships are available to cover the entirety of the fees (including bench fees) + living expenses at the standard EPSRC rate for the full period of the PhD programme. No closing date.
Available to all applicants
University of Bristol postgraduate scholarships: The Faculty of Science is pleased to be able to offer a number (approx 5 EU/UK and 5 overseas per annum) of fully-funded PhD Scholarships to UK and international applicants showing exceptional research potential. These PhD Scholarships are for 3.5 or 4 years and are funded from University funds at the same level as EPSRC studentships. Applications for scholarships beginning October 2013 are now open.
We aim to recruit more than 60 postgraduates each year across a broad range of research including to the 2 doctoral training centres: Bristol Chemical Synthesis and Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials. Applications are welcomed in all areas of chemistry at any time of year.
In general we do not advertise specific projects. Below are highlighted just a few of the many available projects for which funding is currently available.
If you require further information about opportunities for postgraduate research please contact the appropriate Postgraduate Admissions co-ordinator:-
If you are uncertain which of the above to contact, please email the Director of Graduate Recruitment, Professor Chris Willis.
Please note: When using our online Postgraduate Application System select 'Chemistry PhD' in Programme Choice.
GAUGEing the UK's contribution to climate change. The UK is the world's 11th largest emitter of CO² and other greenhouse gases (GHG). However, the details of where these emissions originate from and which sectors of the economy are responsible are poorly understood. PhD applications are sought to investigate the sectoral breakdown of the UK's GHG emissions using atmospheric measurements from the new DECC network and GAUGE (Greenhouse gAs UK and Global Emissions) consortium. You will work closely with Prof. Simon O'Doherty, Dr Matt Rigby, Bristol Atmospheric Chemistry Research Group team members and GAUGE collaborators across the UK to measure and better understand the UK's contribution to climate change.
New Agrochemicals by Engineered Biosynthesis: Fungi produce many compounds with interesting and useful biological activities - for examples herbicides, insecticides and fungicides which could be useful in agriculture to underpin future food security. This project, at the chemistry-biology interface, will focus on finding the genes responsible for the biosynthesis of these compounds, isolation and structural elucidation of novel natural products and use of organic synthesis to produce analogues. New compounds will be tested for biological activity by the industrial partners. This PhD programme is in collaboration with academic groups at the Universities of Cambridge, Manchester and Warwick and is co-sponsored by Syngenta. The project will be supervised by Professors Russell Cox and Chris Willis in the School of Chemistry and Dr Andy Bailey in the School of Biological Sciences. Please contact us if you require further information.
Balancing the global methane budget - Matt Rigby (ACRG) and Ed Hornibrook (Earth Science). Methane is produced and released from a range of natural and human sources, and is second only to carbon dioxide in its contribution to man-made ‘global warming’. However, a great deal of uncertainty remains about the drivers of current atmospheric methane variability. Measurements of the isotopologues of methane have the potential to provide a wealth of useful information for understanding the methane cycle, because different sources emit methane with different isotopic compositions. This project will re-evaluate stable isotope signatures currently assigned to methane emission sources and sinks and, where necessary, will involve new measurements for recently identified and significant sources of methane. The re-assessed values will then be used to parameterize a new ‘inverse model’ of the global methane cycle, which will be verified against measurements of the concentration and stable isotope composition of atmospheric methane obtained from a global network of atmospheric monitoring stations. Open to UK students, applications should be made through the School of Earth Sciences postgraduate recruitment system. Please contact matt.rigby@bristol.ac.uk or ed.hornibrook@bristol.ac.uk for further details.
One PhD. studentship funded by the EPSRC is available to work with Professor Jonathan Reid on the optical manipulation, characterisation and dynamics of aerosol particles, in particular studying the impact of aerosols on the atmosphere. The studentship is funded for up to 42 months, starting anytime in 2013 and is available for UK or EU nationals. Please contact Professor Jonathan Reid for further information.
Two BBSRC SWDTP scholarships to begin September 2013
Investigations of the molecular basis for toxin-antitoxins as system-level switches in bacteria. This project will use biological NMR and structure-function studies to understand bacterial toxin-antitoxin interactions at a molecular level. This has important implications for understanding the mechanisms that allow bacteria to modulate their global metabolic activity and may form the basis for new types of antimicrobial agents. This is a collaborative project between Dr Matt Crump (matt.crump@bristol.ac.uk, Chemistry, Bristol) and Professor RickTitball (R.W.Titball@exeter.ac.uk). Please feel free to contact us for more information.
SAGE: Self-assembled peptide cages for delivering small-molecule and protein cargoes into cells. The project will involve the design and characterisation of peptide-based nanoscale cages, and the application of these in the delivery of small molecule and protein cargoes into cells. It will combine rational peptide design, synthesis and assembly, biophysical characterisation including electron and light microscopy, and cell biology. Supervisors: Prof. Dek Woolfson (Chemistry, Bristol) and Prof. George Banting (Biochemistry, Bristol). Please contact us if you need further information.
Further information about the SW DTP
