Start Dates in October and January
Chemistry is a fundamental science that underpins a vast array of topics. At Lincoln, the School of Chemistry is focused on advancing the chemical sciences to address real-world problems in society and industry.
Research students in Chemistry can benefit from an interdisciplinary environment and may have the opportunity to work with colleagues from across the University's College of Health and Science, national and international academic collaborators, and an array of industry partners.
Students will have full access to a range of facilities including high-throughput preparative methods, bespoke molecular and nanomaterials laboratories, and analytical and structural instrumentation.
Conduct independent, original, and academically significant research
Benefit from training courses to develop key research skills
Supervision and support from academic staff
Present at talks and seminars to showcase your work
Enrol in January or October each year
Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the vast majority of students' time will be spent in independent study and research. Students will have meetings with their academic supervisors, however the regularity of these will vary depending on their own individual requirements, subject area, staff availability, and the stage of programme.
The chemistry team is currently involved in studies including collaborative projects with the pharmaceutical, environmental, fine chemicals, and instrumentation sectors. Students will have the opportunity to engage with the team on projects that have real-world impact using fundamental chemistry research.
Our research focus is on the synthesis, characterisation, and application of functional materials, from the development of novel synthetic methods to transform small molecules to the systematic design and development of materials beyond the molecule that create nano- and micro sized assemblies for a wide-range of applications. These studies are complimented with innovative method development in the analysis and simulation of materials.
The key to a successful research programme is to find a research subject that you are passionate about, and a supervisory team that have the expertise in this area. The first thing that all students should do is contact a member of staff who works in an area that you are interested in. Please visit the School of Chemistry pages to identify potential academic supervisors. You are invited to contact the supervisors that you feel are best suited to your research area to discuss the process further.
Major instrumentation available includes modern NMR (including multinuclear and solid state probes), single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis (including evolved gas analysis with MS and FT-IR), NIR/MIR/FIR spectroscopy, FT- and micro-Raman, LC-Orbitrap, LC-triplequad and GC-triplequad mass spectrometry, and SEM-EDX. Specialist instrument scientists are available to assist researchers with advanced method development with this equipment.
A research degree is usually awarded based on the quality a student's thesis and their ability in an oral examination (viva voce) to present and successfully defend their chosen research topic to a group of academics. Students are also expected to demonstrate how their research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding.
Postgraduate Research Application Support
Find out more about the application process for research degrees and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page, which also features contact details for dedicated support with your application.
How to Apply
To support your experience within the postgraduate research community, new students are encouraged to enrol in October or January. However, applications are welcome at any point throughout the year, and enrolment can also take place at any relevant point.
In addition to meeting peers across the University who are starting their research programme at the same time, there is access to a central training programme designed around the first three months of study, and targeted support aligned to each stage of the postgraduate research journey. Alternative enrolment dates may be agreed with your supervisor on an individual basis.
First or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
If you are an overseas student, you may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate in order to enrol on this course. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme
You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below. Research students may be required to pay additional fees in addition to cover the cost of specialist resources, equipment and access to any specialist collections that may be required to support their research project. These will be informed by your research proposal and will be calculated on an individual basis.
Loans and Studentships
Find out more about the options available to support your postgraduate research, from Master's and Doctoral Loans, to research studentship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.
Explore Funding Options
A research programme provides the opportunity to become a true expert in your chosen field, while developing a range of valuable transferable skills than can support your career progression. A research-based degree is also the most direct pathway to an academic career. Research degrees are a great chance to expand your network and meet diverse people with similar interests, knowledge, and passion.
The University’s Doctoral School provides a focal point for Lincoln’s community of researchers, where ideas and experiences can be developed and shared across disciplines. It also offers support and training to help equip you for both academic and non-academic careers.
Through our research, we are striving to change society for the better. Working with regional, national, and international partners, our academics are engaged in groundbreaking studies that are challenging the status quo. We also understand the importance of providing the best possible environment for pursuing research that can support our communities and make a tangible difference to the world around us.
Explore Our Research