Research
Excellence with purpose: Our expert academics, teamed with the next generation of scientific leaders, produce some of the world’s best fundamental and applied chemistry.*
Established ground-breakers and highly talented early-career researchers unite to deliver internationally excellent and world-class research across chemical science. Through close collaboration with the wider STEM community, our fundamental chemistry challenges the frontiers of knowledge for tomorrow.
Impactful research tackles the issues of today. Ambitious entrepreneurism and effective routes to real-world application ensures benefits to academia, industry, and society. Coupled with ongoing investment into state-of-the art facilities and infrastructure, we sit firmly at the forefront of science in the UK and beyond, both now and in the future as we grow to meet the rising demands for flexible, world-class research.
Our research groupings
Chemical, Structural and Synthetic Biology
Developing highly interdisciplinary molecular and analytical approaches to understanding and exploiting biological systems for drug discovery, food security, sustainable chemicals and industrial biotechnology.
Computational and Theoretical Chemistry
Modelling and simulation of molecules and materials informs innovation in health, sustainable energy and the environment by advancing scientific theory and predictive capabilities.
Energy Materials
Utilising cutting edge techniques and methods to explore future energy materials, understand energy systems, and characterise energy storage for net-zero.
Measurement and Analytical
Original experimental measurement for applied and discovery science using MS, NMR, ultrafast spectroscopy, advanced FTICR; nano energy dynamics imaging; electrochemistry and sensor development.
Polymers
Expertise spans polymer synthesis, characterisation, modelling, and processing; green and bio(mimetic) science; colloids and soft matter; elastomers; and (nano)composites with applications for global sustainability.
Synthesis and Catalysis
Innovative molecular design and advanced synthetic methodology reinforces multi-disciplinary research addressing grand challenges around energy, health and materials.
*According to THE analysis of REF 2021, we are ranked 9th for Research Power amongst UK Chemistry Departments and all of our assessed research outputs and impact case studies are world-leading or internationally excellent.