Research rating (RAE 2001): 4

INTRODUCTION
Supervision is available in organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, applied, computational and theoretical chemistry. Throughout your studies you work closely with your supervisor. In the initial stages your research will be guided by the supervisor, but as you gain confidence and expertise you will be given increasing responsibility for the day-to-day running of the project. You will be trained in all aspects of chemical research, including the oral and written presentation of your work. Attendance at formal lectures is required during your first year, and at research colloquia given by distinguished national and international speakers during this and subsequent years. Our Postgraduate Committee provides impartial academic advice and guidance throughout your studies.

RESEARCH SPECIALISMS
The School has recently benefited from a major investment to provide state-of-the-art laboratory space for synthetic chemistry. Research in the School has been arranged into three groupings, each of which provides opportunities for interdisciplinary work with other schools in the University and also externally. These groupings are:

Biological and medicinal chemistry: anticancer drug design; radiolabelled diagnostic agents for PET; fundamental synthetic chemistry for the development of new pharmaceuticals; toxicology; DNA damage and remediation; biomimetic chemistry; metalloproteins; nucleic acid chemistry; anti-viral agents (Dr C Bleasdale, Dr M Carroll, Professor B Golding, Professor R Griffin, Dr I Hardcastle, Professor R Henderson).

Chemical nanosciences: porous silicon and nanoscale silicon quantum dots; molecular photonics; biophysical chemistry; single molecule spectroscopy; self-assembled monolayers; molecular electronics; ultrafast spectroscopy; scanning probe microscopy; modified DNA; adsorption on carbon and microporous materials (Dr B Horrocks, Dr A Houlton, Dr E Tuite, Professor K Thomas, Dr D Walsh, Dr D Fulton, Dr A Pike).

Catalysis materials and supramolecular chemistry: development of novel organometallic materials and design of Lewis acid and Lewis base catalysts; supramolecular polycarboxylate assemblies; supramolecular structures for molecular electronics; polyoxometallates; silicon chemistry (Professor M North, Dr A Benniston, Dr R Errington, Dr S Doherty, Dr J Knight, Dr K Izod, Professor A Harriman, Dr D Fulton, Dr A Pike). This group, with the School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, has set up the University Centre in Catalysis and Intensified Processing.

There are also two cross-cutting themes of ‘design and synthesis’ and ‘molecular photonics’ (Professor A Harriman, Dr A Benniston).

Collaborative engagement and inter/multidisciplinarity are encouraged, as are links with other schools in the University and the cross-faculty research institutes. Thriving collaborations exist with colleagues in the Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences and in: Biology; Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials; Biomedical Sciences; Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering; and Civil Engineering and Geosciences. Several staff are associated with the Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, the Northern Institute for Cancer Research and the Institute for Research on Environment and Sustainability.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of at least 6.0, TOEFL 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based), or equivalent. The INTO Newcastle University Centre, www.ncl.ac.uk/into, can provide extra tuition to help you meet our English language requirements.

TYPICAL FUNDING
UK/EU students: EPSRC; BBSRC.
International students: WHO; British Council; University scholarships.
For more information about these funding opportunities, see www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding

Applications are considered throughout the year although specific deadlines for funding may apply. If you wish to discuss possible projects you should contact staff direct via their e-mail addresses, which are provided on our website: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/nsci/postgrad/chemistry

For general application guidelines and to apply online or to order an application form, see www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply