MSc Research Projects
The School of Chemistry offers Master of Science (MSc and MRes) by Research which consist of a twelve-month (full time) research project. Projects are supervised by one or more of our academic staff who will provide research training and mentorship. You will be working in research group alongside PhD students and, in many cases, Postdoctoral Research Associates. The experience and knowledge gained provides an ideal platform for entry into a PhD programme or research career in industry. The MSc degree is assessed through a thesis which is written and examined at the end of the degree.
The MSc by research degree is ideally suited to candidates with a BSc degree who wish to gain full-time experience and training in a real research environment and make a contribution knowledge in their chosen field. The MSc by Research has no taught component; however, you can attend and benefit from courses taught as part of our standard integrated MSci degree programme and take other postgraduate modules alongside your research project.
The application procedure is similar to that of a PhD and you can apply at any time. Before applying you should contact potential supervisor(s) and enquire about research projects that are available. Further information about our research themes, academic supervisors and potential projects can be found below.
Further information regarding fees for home and international students can be found here. Further information regarding postgraduate loans can be found here.
Please get in touch with the Postgraduate Admissions Tutor Professor Ross Denton (ross.denton@nottingham.ac.uk) if you have any questions or need help with anything.
Further information on the Masters by Research programme as well as our individual research projects can be found below.
A journey into innovative chemistry
Experience organic synthetic chemistry through the lens of Dr Silvi's expertise and passion for pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery. Hear about his devotion to research, favourite lesson to deliver, and the exceptional support and facilities that define our programme.
Biological Chemistry
Materials
Professor Andrei Khlobystov
Synthesis, analysis and application of nanomaterials for electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to value products.
Nanoparticles for catalysis of hydrogen production.
Professor Steve Howdle
Renewable Monomers and Polymers; helping society make the best use of plastics.
Designing new approaches to 3-D printing of polymers.
Dr Ben Pilgrim
Self-assembled metal-organic cages for catalysis, sensing, and drug delivery.
New synthetic strategies towards stimuli-responsive interlocked molecules to underpin the next generation of molecular machines.
Professor Mike George and Professor Martyn Poliakoff
Sustainable manufacturing of pharmaceuticals using new photo-, electro- & thermal reactors.
New approaches to synthesis of highly reactive organometallic compounds using supercritical fluids and spectroscopy.
Molecular Bonding and Spectroscopy
Dr Matthew Cliffe
Quantum pseudohalides magnets.
Computational investigation of nets for spin liquids.
Dr Anabel Lanterna
When light meets dark: introducing heterogeneous photocatalysts into biocompatible processes
New avenues for C-C coupling reactions using heterogeneous photocatalysis
Dr Rabi Pun
Oxidation Mechanisms of Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted by Plants and their Atmospheric Impacts
Professor Elena Besley
Synthesis and characterisation of hybrid organic-inorganic clusters for coupled electrocatalysis
Computational modelling of heterogeneous catalysis
Dr Lee Johnson
Development of electrolytes and additive for automotive batteries
Synthesis of redox molecules for organic batteries
Professor Richard Wheatley
Computational modelling of solvation entropy.
Applications of atomic charge densities in quantum chemistry.
Synthesis and Catalysis
Professor Robert Stockman
Total Synthesis of the Marine Alkaloid Pinnarine and Related Natural Products
Development of A Photochemically Driven, Modular, Asymmetric Synthesis of Azacycles
Dr James Cuthbertson
Development of photochemical strategies for the functionalisation of alkenes using nitrogen-centred radicals.
Development of catalytic methods for the remote functionalisation of alcohols.
Professor Simon Woodward
Synthesis and uses of fluorinated macrocycles.
Professor Ross Denton
Total synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Neuro regenerative Natural Products.
Rational Design of New Reagents and Catalysts for amine synthesis and applications in pharmaceutical and alkaloid synthesis.
Dr James Dowden
Concise synthesis of alkaloid-like molecules from pyridines.
Investigating reactivity inspired by terpene biosynthesis.
Dr Kristaps Ermanis
Computational organic reaction modelling and design.
Machine learning in organic reaction modelling.
Professor Debbie Kays
Complexes of earth abundant metals for more sustainable catalysis.
Low-coordinate transition metal complexes for small molecule activation chemistry.
Dr Miriam O’Duill
From palladium to iodine - towards sustainable catalysis.
Late-stage fluorination of medical imaging probes.