Program Overview

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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

• Queen’s University Belfast 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

Course Content

Research Information

• Much of our research falls under the broad headings of Healthcare and Sustainability, examples of recent funded projects include development of novel antibiotics and reduction of single use plastics.
• The School also leads the EU-funded Bryden Centre for renewable energy research, the industry-led Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) as well as our world-leading QUILL ionic liquids research centre.
• Students trained in our School are equipped with the skills that allow them to go out and make a real difference in the world.

Career Prospects

Introduction

For further information on career opportunities at PhD level please contact the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Student Recruitment Team.

People Teaching You

• Dr Mark Muldoon, Director of Postgraduates, Chemistry & Chemical Engineering

Course Structure

Learning and Teaching

Entrance Requirements

Graduate

• The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

International Students

• For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

• Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI): £5,006
• Republic of Ireland (ROI): £5,006
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB): £5,006
• EU Other: £25,600
• International: £25,600

Additional Course Costs

• There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

Bench Fees

• Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work.

Funding and Scholarships

• The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.

How to Apply

• Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a Supervisor

• If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

Research Projects

• Cryogenic CO₂ Capture and Conversion from Biogas for Net Zero Fuels
• Integrating CO2 capture and utilisation using dual functional materials and efficient induction heating
• New advances in porous materials characterisation using low-field NMR
• Enhancing photocatalytic disinfection of water: the importance of bacterial factors and reactor design to enhance disinfection rates
• Hybrid Polymeric Materials for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Delivery
• Ionic Liquids as a Sustainable Platform for Cascade Engineered Reactions
• Novel 3D printed photocatalytic technologies for continuous flow synthesis
• Photocatalytic valorization of biomass