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Chemistry

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PhD
Entry Year
Academic Year 2025/26
Entry Requirements
2.1

Overview

The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering aims to promote sustainable processes and materials to meet the energy and healthcare demands of the future. The School is expanding rapidly and this is creating many new and exciting research opportunities with over £15m being invested to develop and expand the core research areas of catalysis, biological and medicinal chemistry, and materials.

Mode of study / duration

Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).

Subject Summary

Your research will develop and expand our core areas of Sustainability and Healthcare and our goals are to use chemistry and chemical engineering to create a greener and healthier future for us all. Our areas of interest include adventurous research at the cutting edge of catalysis (where chemistry meets other disciplines, especially engineering, innovative Molecular Materials and Functional Materials), ionic liquid technology (‘super solvents' which do not form vapours and can be used as non-polluting alternatives to conventional solvents) and Synthesis and Biological Organic Chemistry (working to deliver compounds addressing the regulation of cellular functions).

Key Facts

QUB is a member of the Russell Group of the UK’s 24 leading research-intensive universities.

  • QUB is ranked =13th in the UK for research intensity
    QUB is ranked 9th in the UK for Graduate Prospects – Outcomes (Complete University Guide 2025)
  • Over 99% of Queen’s research environment was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent in REF2021
    88% of research submitted by Queen’s has been assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent in REF2021
  • 83% of Research Impact case studies by the School has been assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent REF2021, placing it among the top UK universities for Research Impact