Chemistry in Cambridge aims to support fundamental science of the highest quality in a first class physical environment. The Department includes a large number of internationally recognised research groups covering an exceptionally broad spectrum of chemical science ranging from molecular biology to geophysics. Our enthusiastic research culture embraces new challenging areas, including strong collaborations with other academic disciplines and institutions, while maintaining a powerful presence in the traditional core areas of chemistry.

The PhD is offered by the Department of Chemistry as a full-time period of research and introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge.  (Applications from part-time students may also be considered but there are attendance requirements and you will need to live close enough to Cambridge to fulfil these.)  Students are integrated into the research culture of the Department by joining a research group, supervised by one of our academic staff,  in one of the following areas of Chemistry:

Biological:

With a focus on enzymes, nucleic acids, protein folding and misfolding, and physical techniques; with relevance to health and disease, drug discovery, sensors, nanotechnology, ageing and energy research applications.

Materials Chemistry:

Including surfaces, interfaces, polymers, nanoparticles and nanoporous materials, self assembly, and biomaterials, with applications relevant to: oil recovery and separation, catalysis, photovoltaics, fuel cells and batteries, crystallization and pharmaceutical formulation, gas sorption, energy, functional materials, biocompatible materials, computer memory, and sensors.

Physical Chemistry:

Including atmospheric sciences, surfaces and interfaces, materials, and physical and chemical aspects of the behaviour of biopolymers and other soft systems.

Synthetic Chemistry:

Including complex molecule synthesis, synthetic catalysis, synthetic assembly, synthetic biology and medicine, new technology for efficient synthesis, green synthesis, and preparation of new materials.

Theory, Modelling and Informatics:

Including quantum dynamics, modelling soft materials, protein folding and binding, biomolecules in motion, pharmacological activity, molecular switches, redox chemistry, designing bioactive molecule and drugs, chemical biology, crystallography, and simulation of spectroscopic studies.

Potential supervisors and their area of research expertise may be found at Department of Chemistry (Research)

Educational aims of the PhD programme:

• to give students with relevant experience at Master's level the opportunity to carry out focussed research in the discipline under close supervision;
• to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests;
• to give students training in transferable skills to broaden their horizon above and beyond the focus of their research in the Department.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, students will have:

• a comprehensive understanding of techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature, applicable to their own research;
• demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field;
• shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies;
• demonstrated some self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research;
• followed a comprehensive transferable skills training programme to develop skills and attributes for future careers.

Continuing

MPhil students currently studying a relevant course at the University of Cambridge will need to pass their MPhil course (if examined by thesis) or obtain a minimum merit (if there is a marked element) in order to be eligible to continue onto the PhD in Chemistry.

The Department of Chemistry takes very seriously the provision of excellent and relevant graduate education, which will allow students to:  

• choose their own bespoke series of academic lectures and workshops from our extensive and evolving range, directly supporting both research and broader chemistry knowledge base
• select from many Researcher Development opportunities to enhance transferable skillset and ultimate employability
• attend Careers Sessions given by alumni of the Department

Placements

If you are funded  by an industrial sponsor then there may be a requirement to undertake an industrial placement during your course.  You will be advised if this is required.

Feedback

Informal feedback will be provided by supervisor's during one to one supervision sessions, and as part of  lab or Research Interest Group meetings. 

In addition, all graduate students receive termly online reports written by their supervisors.

Assessment

Thesis

Submission of a thesis, not exceeding 60,000 words, including summary/abstract, tables, footnotes and appendices, but excluding table of contents, photographs, diagrams, figure captions, bibliography and acknowledgements.

Other

All PhD students are probationary in the first year and progression to the second year (and registration for the PhD) depends on a successful first year review.

Towards the end of the first year students are required to submit a written progress report. In addition to covering the research work completed during the year this should contain a review of appropriate literature and a clear indication of how the PhD will develop in the second and third years. The report is examined by two assessors and an oral examination of the report will be undertaken.

• Magistr (Master's Degree) at Pass level. Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of good or 4/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 4/5 Bologna Bachelor's from other institutions with an overall grade of 5/5, Excellent
• Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of Excellent or 5/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 5/5
• IELTS (Academic) 7.0
• TOEFL Internet Score 100
• £50 application fee
• First Academic Reference
• Second Academic Reference
• Transcript
• CV/Resumé
• Personal Reference

• Global Education
• Gates Cambridge Scholarships