University of York

What you'll study

The PhD is primarily an independent research degree supervised by academics in the Department of Chemistry. Projects span synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry, catalysis, materials and solid‑state chemistry, chemical biology, spectroscopy and imaging, and computational/theoretical chemistry. Your work will culminate in a thesis reporting original research and contributions to knowledge.

Alongside your specific research project you will undertake a programme of training to develop technical and transferable skills. Typical activities and learning components include:

• Research design, experimental technique and rigorous data analysis relevant to your project (e.g. synthesis, crystallography, NMR, mass spectrometry, microscopy, high‑performance computing).
• Advanced seminars and group meetings to present progress, receive feedback and engage with departmental research themes.
• Formal training modules or short courses covering research ethics, statistics, scientific writing, project management and leadership, and public engagement.
• Opportunities for collaboration across disciplines, including interaction with nearby departments and research centres (for example materials, biology and physics), and use of central research facilities and computing resources.
• Preparation for dissemination through publications, conference presentations and thesis writing; many students also gain experience supervising undergraduate projects and assisting in teaching.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good UK honours degree (first or upper second class) in chemistry or a closely related subject and a relevant postgraduate qualification such as a taught MSc with merit or equivalent experience demonstrating research capability. Exceptional candidates with a strong undergraduate record and substantial research experience may also be considered.

Typical application materials include a research proposal or indication of preferred supervisors and research areas, academic transcripts, references from academic or professional referees, and a CV. International applicants should meet the Department's English language requirements where English is not their first language.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD programme enter a wide range of careers. Many continue in research as postdoctoral researchers and progress to academic positions, while others move into industrial R&D roles in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, materials and biotechnology companies. Additional career paths include analytical and process science, patent law and intellectual property, scientific consulting, science policy, technical management, and science communication.

The skills developed during the PhD—critical thinking, experimental design, data analysis, project management and written and oral communication—are highly valued across research-intensive employers, government laboratories and the private sector.

Why study at University of York

The Department of Chemistry at the University of York offers a collaborative research environment with active research groups across a broad chemistry spectrum. The department provides access to modern instrumentation and core facilities such as high‑field NMR, X‑ray crystallography, mass spectrometry and advanced microscopy, together with high‑performance computing resources for modelling and data analysis.

Students benefit from regular departmental seminars, early‑career researcher support, and opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary projects with other departments and research centres. Supervision emphasises close mentorship and professional development, preparing students for both academic and non‑academic careers. The campus setting and links with regional industry and research networks also support outreach, collaboration and routes into employment after the PhD.