chemistry phd nuig

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How to Apply

Graduate research programmes.

• PhD in Chemistry (Bionanointeractions)
• PhD in Chemistry (Dublin Chemistry)
• BOC Gases Annual Graduate Research Awards
• MSc by Research in Chemistry
• Our Graduate Research Alumni

Graduate Research Programmes at UCD School of Chemistry

The entry requirements for postgraduate research programmes at UCD School of Chemistry are: 

• Minimum of 2:1H result in BSc (Hons) degree in Chemistry, or equivalent;
• Where English is not the native language, results from a UCD recognised English language proficiency test should be provided and these must meet the UCD minimum requirement specified at http://www.ucd.ie/registry/admissions/elr.html . Results must have been issued within two years prior to the proposed start of studies.

The  UCD Graduate Studies  website also provides a wealth of information for prospective and current postgraduate research students (PhD and MSc by research).

Information about postgraduate research programmes is online at  https://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/researchstudenthub/researchprogrammes

Instructions on how to apply are at  https://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/studywithus/applicationprocess/  

School of Chemistry academic staff are listed at  https://www.ucd.ie/chem/about/ourstaff/academicstaff/  

Funded PhD Scholarship opportunities in the School of Chemistry are placed online at  https://www.ucd.ie/chem/vacancies/  

Postgraduate Taught Modules

Research Integrity Training is a compulsory element of all UCD Research Postgraduate Degree programmes. See https://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/researchstudenthub/trainingdevelopment/researchintegritytraining/

In MSc by Research programmes, students are not required to complete any taught modules and associated credits in order to complete their degree. However, if a MSc by Research student is considering subsequent transfer to a PhD programme via Transfer Assessment, the student must take certain modules (12.5 taught credits including the mandatory PhD Stage 1 modules described below) with the approval of their supervisor and Research Studies Panel.

In PhD programmes, there are two stages: Stage 1 is the initial period of a PhD when the student defines a research plan, develops their research skills and initiates original research work while undertaking and completing taught modules. In order to progress from Stage 1 to Stage 2, the student must undergo a Transfer Assessment to establish that sufficient research progress has been made and that the student exhibits the competence and capacity to complete the proposed research in the time permitted.  Stage 2 is dedicated to continuing the original research and also includes additional advanced education and training. The taught requirements for School of Chemistry PhD progression and completion are:

In Stage 1, successful completion of the following 7.5 taught credits in transferable skills:

• CHEM40340 – Graduate Teaching Assistant (5 credits)
• CHEM40280 – Chemistry Seminar Programme II (2.5 credits).

To be eligible for progression/transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2 – successful completion of a minimum of 12.5 taught credits.

In Stage 2, successful completion of the following 2.5 taught credits in transferable skills:

• CHEM50030 – Chemistry 3 rd Year PhD Presentation (2.5 credits).

In Stages 1-2, successful completion of a minimum of 10 credits in formally taught technical modules that specifically relate to the PhD subject area:

• Modules to be agreed with supervisor with the advice of the RSP
• Modules may come from UCD, TCD or other institution, e.g., DCU, DIT, NUIG, etc.

In Stages 1-2, successful completion of an additional 10 credits in technical or transferable skills modules that specifically relate to the PhD subject area:

• Modules to be agreed with supervisor with the advice of the RSP 

To be eligible for PhD thesis submission – successful completion of a minimum of 30 taught credits, as described above and completion of research integrity training.

A list of modules and instructions on how to register to is available from the UCD Graduate Studies website at

https://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/researchstudenthub/trainingdevelopment/taughtmodulesforresearchstudents

 You can check your module registration at any stage via SISWeb > UView-Your Student Record > and scrolling down to Current Module Registration.

UCD Graduate Studies

Useful information to prospective and current postgraduate research students is at  https://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/  

A UCD handbook for postgraduate research students https://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/researchstudenthub/  

Contact UCD School of Chemistry

Graduate Programs

Chemistry phd.

The goal of the Chemistry PhD is to prepare students for careers in science as researchers and educators by expanding their knowledge of chemistry while developing their ability for critical analysis, creativity, and independent study. A high graduation rate in an average of just over five years can be attributed to the quality of applicants admitted, the flexibility of our program of study, the opportunity for students to begin research in the first year, and the affordability of education made possible by our generous financial support policies.

Program Overview

Programs of study are tailored to the needs of individual students, based on their prior training and research interests. However, progress to a degree is generally similar for all students. During the first year, students take courses, begin their teaching apprenticeships, choose research advisors, and embark on their thesis research; students whose native language is not English must pass an English proficiency examination. Beginning the first summer, the emphasis is on research, although courses of special interest may be taken throughout a student's residency. In the second year, there is a departmental examination which includes a written research proposal and an oral defense of the research proposal. In the third year, students advance to candidacy for the doctorate by defending the topic, preliminary findings, and future research plans for their dissertation. Subsequent years focus on thesis research and writing the dissertation. Most students graduate during their fifth year.

Research Opportunities

Research opportunities for graduate students are comprehensive and interdisciplinary, spanning inorganic, organic, physical, analytical, computational, and theoretical chemistry; surface and materials chemistry; and atmospheric and environmental chemistry. Please refer to the faculty pages for full descriptions of the ongoing research in our department. State-of-the-art facilities and laboratories support these research programs.

At UCSD, chemists and biochemists are part of a thriving community that stretches across campus and out into research institutions throughout the La Jolla and San Diego area, uniting researchers in substantive interactions and collaborations.

Special Training Programs

Interdisciplinary research and collaboration at UCSD is enhanced through a variety of training grants. These programs provide financial support for exceptional graduate and postdoctoral scholars and also unite researchers from across campus and throughout the La Jolla research community in special seminars, retreats, and courses. Doctoral students are usually placed on training grants in their second year or later.

• Molecular Biophysics Training Grant
• Contemporary Approaches to Cancer Cell Signaling and CommunicationBiochemistry of Growth Regulation and Oncogenesis
• Chemistry Biology Interfaces Training Grant
• Contemporary Approaches to Cancer Cell Signaling and Communication
• Interfaces Graduate Training Program
• Molecular Pharmacology Training Program
• UC San Diego MRSEC
• Quantitative Biology (qBio) Specialization

Teaching apprenticeships are a vital and integral part of graduate student training, and four quarters of teaching are required. See the Teaching Assistants page to apply. Students can gain experience teaching both discussion and laboratory sections. Excellence in teaching is stressed, and the department provides a thorough training program covering both fundamentals and special techniques for effective instruction. Further training is provided by the Teaching and Learning Commons on campus. Performance is evaluated every quarter, and awards are bestowed quarterly for outstanding teaching performance.

• Financial Support

Students in good academic standing receive a 12-month stipend; fees and tuition are also provided. Support packages come from a variety of sources, including teaching and research assistantships, training grants, fellowships, and awards. Special fellowships are awarded to outstanding students based on their admission files. See Ph.D. Program Support Policy for more information.

Health and Dental Plan

A primary health care program, major medical plan, and dental plan are among the benefits provided by the University's registration fee (see Graduate Student Health Insurance Program, GSHIP) . Minor illnesses and injuries can usually be treated at the Student Health Center . Counseling is provided free of charge through Counseling and Psychological Services .

Creative, bright, and motivated students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We admit for Fall quarter entrance only. Generally, the application will open in September and close is in December. The Admissions Committee reviews files individually and in comparison to others, and invitations to our visitation weekends are made around January. For those invited, in-person interviews will be on campus in either February or March. Those who receive the official admissions offer from t he Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs ( GEPA ) have until April 15th to make a decision.

See UCSD Ph.D. Admissions FAQ page for full information.

PostGraduate Placement

Graduates typically obtain jobs in academia or in the chemical industry. Many take postdoctoral research positions in academic institutions and national laboratories that lead to future academic or industrial careers at other prestigious institutions. Our faculty and Student Affairs staff provide career advising and job placement services. The department's Industrial Relations program assists students with placement in industrial positions. UCSD's Career Services Center provides many resources for students, including the chance to videotape yourself in a mock interview!

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PI: Prof. Alan Ryder

Brief biography: ‌‌.

He has authored >100 publications and generated 3 patents (2 licensed to an NUIG spin out company, Analyze-IQ ).  To date he has secured >11 M€ of research funding (~3.3M€ from industrial sources) and graduated 22 PhD & 5 MSc. research students. 

Career History:

• Personal Professor of Chemistry , Physics (School of Natural Sciences), University of Galway, April 2022 - present.
• Personal Professor of Chemistry ,  School. of Chemistry , NUI-Galway,. Aug. 2016 -March 2022.
• Honorary President, Microscopical Society of Ireland , Aug. 2008 - 2010.
• Senior Lecturer , School. of Chemistry, NUI-Galway,. Aug. 2006 - Jul. 2016.
• Science Foundation Ireland Investigato r, National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science , NUI-Galway. 2003-08. 
• Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, NUI-Galway,. Sept. 2003 - July 2006.
• Research Scientist , NCLA / Department of Physics , NUI-Galway, 1997 - July 2003.
• Post-doctoral researcher , Department of Chemistry , UCC , 1993-1995. 
• Ph.D. (Inorganic Chemistry) 1989-1993,  University College Galway. 
• B.Sc. Hons. ( Chemistry ) 1985-1989, University College Galway.

Postdoctoral Researchers :

Details of the current postdoctoral researchers can be found here .

Postgraduate Students:

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Postdoctoral Researchers & Research Assistants:

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Ph.D. Chemistry

One of the primary objectives for students of the Chemistry Ph.D. program is the successful completion of an original research project in close mentorship by their research adviser and the presentation and defense of the Ph.D. dissertation. This intense research experience provides the education and training necessary for the student to substantiate his/her expertise and develop the skills necessary to become an independent professional. By the end of their Ph.D. work, students will have exhibited and/or engaged in the following:

• Focused, Independent Research : Students will conduct advanced independent research in their focus of chemistry, either on-site or at the professional laboratories where they work.
• Mastery of Scientific Communication : Students’ Ph.D. research culminates in the writing and presentation of the dissertation for examination by a committee consisting of a minimum of five members, including the research adviser.
• Career Readiness : Graduates will exhibit thoroughness in their research and possess highly-advanced working knowledge in their specified field to compete for top positions in industry, government and academia.

In the Chemistry Ph.D. program, students will learn critical skills needed to pursue independent research investigations, collaborate on research projects or teach in an academic setting. Through the program, students will produce research articles that demonstrate a high level of knowledge and innovation in chemistry, as well as exhibit thoroughness in their research and honesty in their presentations to compete for positions in industry and academia. Overall we specifically aim for our Ph.D. chemistry students to meet the following learning outcomes:

Complete their Ph.D. requirements in five years or less.

The capability of learning and working independently.

Ability to find positions in their areas of chemistry.

Each Ph.D. graduate is expected to publish his/her research in respected refereed journals.

Broad understanding of major concepts, advanced theoretical principles, as well as experimental methods and findings in the field of chemistry.

Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with professional conduct in a classroom and laboratory setting.

Demonstrate efficient problem-solving skills and ability to think critically to address problems in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.

Demonstrate knowledge of lab procedures and adherence to ethical research conduct in order to properly conduct experiments, analyze data and interpret results.

Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills, in order to communicate research and complex findings to specialist and general audiences.

Demonstrate effective understanding and application of modern tools and equipment used for chemical analysis.

Proficient use of computational methods used for chemical simulation.

Demonstrate effective use of research tools needed to investigate and evaluate scientific journals for relevant findings or information.

Demonstrate strict adherence to safety and chemical hygiene regulations and practices.

View the Curriculum

Core faculty.

Belfield, Kevin

Dean, College of Science and Liberal Arts

Champagne, Pier Alexandre

Assistant Professor

Gund, Tamara

Li, Mengyan

Associate Professor

Khalizov, Alexei

Krasnoperov, Lev

Mitra, Somenath

Dist Professor

Sadik, Omowunmi

Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs

Shakib, Farnaz

Zhang, Yuanwei

Eberhart, Michael

Farinas, Edgardo

Where do Chemistry majors work?

Common job titles.

• Technical Area Lead
• Operations Analyst
• Senior Scientist
• Laboratory Manager

Top Employers

• NYU Langone Health
• Bristol Myers Squibb

Take the next step in your journey.

Get information on program requirements, tuition, financial assistance and more.