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We have 96 Chemical Physics PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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Chemical Physics PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

We have 96 Chemical Physics PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

A PhD in Chemical Physics specialises in the properties of matter and how they are affected by the movement of particles. Through your research, you could help inform the field of chemistry and help advance our current knowledge of atoms, elements and molecules.

What's it like to study a PhD in Chemical Physics?

As a PhD student in Chemical Physics, you'll be working with your supervisor and other members of the department to help develop new applications of the elements and materials that make up our world, and further our current understanding of the structure of matter. You'll likely divide your time between lab-based research, writing your thesis, and attending seminars and conferences.

Possible research areas include:

  • Nanotechnology
  • Electro-chemistry
  • Atomistic and molecular simulations
  • Soft matter physics
  • Chemical biology
  • Energy storage

Besides independent study, you may have the opportunity to connect with the wider academic community through attending departmental meetings and publishing papers. You may also be encouraged to take part in mentoring programmes to help guide your progress.

If you are considering a PhD in Chemical Physics, it is likely that you will already have some undergraduate and Masters level research experience in chemistry.

PhD in Chemical Physics entry requirements

The entry requirement for a PhD in Chemical Physics is usually a Bachelors or Masters degree in Physics with a Chemistry specialism. You may also be asked to submit a research proposal outlining your research plans.

PhD in Chemical Physics funding options

The main body funding PhDs in Chemical Physics in the UK is the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Projects have funding attached, meaning that students automatically receive coverage of the tuition fees of a PhD and a living cost stipend.

Some students may wish to self-fund their PhD in Chemical Physics, though this is less common. Self-funding may be possible through combining the UK government loan with other sources such as a university scholarship or support from your university or charity.

PhD in Chemical Physics careers

The skills you'll gain during a PhD will prepare you for a career in academia or a role in the chemical or material sciences industries. You may also choose to apply your skills to other industries such as medicine, agriculture and forensics.

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Plasma-Assisted Combustion of Sustainable Fuels

Plasma-assisted combustion (PAC) has gained significant interest as an effective approach for enhancing combustion efficiency and reducing emissions, particularly in low-reactivity fuels. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr A Paykani
 30 June 2025  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Quantum-limited holographic sensing of nanoparticles in plasma CVD of quantum devices

Solid state device fabrication underpinning semiconductor and quantum technology [1] relies heavily on etching and deposition techniques based on plasma chemical vapour deposition (CVD) [2,3]. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof W W Langbein, Prof P Borri
 31 May 2025  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Chemical Engineering: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in the Design, Manufacturing and Testing of “Living” Cellular Microfluidic Sensors

Funding providers. EPSRC DTP and Faculty of Science and Engineering. Subject areas. Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Applied Physics. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr F Del Giudice
 5 May 2025  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Shape-controlled nanoparticles for catalytic VOC oxidation

My group uses cutting-edge characterisation tools to follow chemical reactions on surfaces as they happen. We apply this methodology to gain new understanding of real-world industrial catalysts. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr Alex Walton, Dr C Parlett
 31 July 2025  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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PhD Studentship: Developing Self-Healing Coatings for Hydrogen Storage Systems

Award Summary. 100% fees covered for four years and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate). An additional allowance will be provided to contribute towards consumables, equipment, and travel related to the project. Read more
 Supervisor: Prof E Gibson
 13 April 2025  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Mitigating Synthesisability Loss in 3D Generative Models

The molecule design process is often hampered by high costs and lengthy development cycles. Recent advances in 3D-aware generative models offer a promising route to accelerate novel molecule discovery, yet these approaches frequently encounter two critical limitations. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr A Bradley, Dr G Pizzuto
 25 May 2025  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Investigation into the Impact of Material Properties on the Gas Transport Behaviour of Polyolefin Materials

The sustainable use of polymeric materials is underpinned by ensuring long service life in all industries and applications. Understanding durability requires research into the effects of both manufacturing methods and environmental storage conditions on the material properties and performance over time. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr M Whiting
 6 July 2025  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Towards Controlling Atmospheric Corrosion of Aluminium in Nuclear Store Environment

This exciting 4-year PhD project will provide a new view of how the degradation of aluminium structures and components can be controlled. Read more
 Supervisor: Prof DE Engelberg
 30 June 2025  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Quantum Materials Physics and Machine Learning

A competitively funded PhD UK studentship is available focusing on quantum mechanics to discover and understand novel materials for critical applications such as energy storage, solar, and carbon capture. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr A Morris
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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STM-induced electronic and structural excitations of fullerenes

Applications are invited for a talented and motivated PhD candidate to join our team at the University of St Andrews (Scotland, UK) working towards the understanding and development of multi-position molecular switches based on individual endohedral fullerene molecules and building on recent results with Li@C. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr R Schaub
 31 July 2025  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Multi-Scale Mechanics of Biological Composites: Insights from Advanced X-ray Nanotomography

Project Summary. Biological composite materials, such as bone, are three-dimensional, hierarchically structured inorganic-organic composites. Read more
 Supervisor: Prof F Nudelman
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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The phase behaviour and dynamics of lubricants: a new, coarse-grained simulation approach

Hypothesis and Objectives. Novel coarse-grained computational simulations can predict the phase behaviour and rheology of lubricants. Read more
 Supervisor: Prof A Masters
 27 June 2025  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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The effect of the residual elements on hydrogen embrittlement in high strength low carbon steels-towards low carbon recycled steels

This is a fully funded 4-year PhD studentship through the EPSRC Industrial Doctorate Landscape Award (IDLA) and Tata Steel. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr P Gong, Dr E Pickering, Prof PJ Withers, Prof F Scenini
 9 May 2025  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Combined high-pressure spectroscopy and crystallography of spatially isolated chromophores in metal-organic frameworks

A PhD studentship is available in the groups of Prof Anita Jones and Dr Claire Hobday, University of Edinburgh; School of Chemistry;. Read more
 Supervisor: Prof A Jones
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science: Fully Funded Phd Studentship in spin-optical design of molecular semiconductors in photon upconversion

Funding provider. Faculty of Science and Engineering. Subject areas. Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science. Project start date. 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September). Read more
 Supervisors: Dr J Ryan, Dr E Evans
 31 March 2025  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

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