PhD Studentship - EPSRC - Metal-Organic Frameworks for Mitigating NH3 and NO2 Emissions

The University of Manchester - Chemistry

Application deadline: All year round

Research theme: Inorganic Chemistry

How to apply: uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

Fully funded PhD, home tuition fees and a tax-free stipend starting at UKRI rate of £21,805 per annum (2026-2027), increasing each year, are covered for up to 3.5 years.

International applications are welcomed. The start date is 21st September 2026.

Position Summary:

A fully funded PhD studentship is available in the Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, to study metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their applications via EPR. The start date for this studentship is 21 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Supervisor: Dr Floriana Tuna Co-supervisors: Dr Yujie Ma, Prof Sihai Yang

Summary of Project:

MOFs are crystalline porous materials made of metal clusters and organic linkers. They have a formidable ability to adsorb, retain and neutralise air pollutants (NO2 , NH3 or SO2). To exploit these properties, one need to design MOFs that remain structurally intact after multiple adsorption–desorption cycles. Recent work at Manchester demonstrated significant improvements in MOF stability (Adv. Sci. 2024, 11, 2305542; Angew. Chem. 2023, 135, e202302602; JACS 2022, 144, 18967; Nat. Mater. 2018, 17, 691). This project builds on this experience, aiming to investigate new MOFs that incorporate highly rigid, chelating linkers (for high material stability). After initial sorption studies, the reactivity of MOFs against ammonia and nitrogen oxides will be examined by EPR. This enables information about metal sites, redox transformations, and possible host-guest interactions at the MOF surface.

Manchester hosts the EPSRC UK National Facility for EPR spectroscopy, and thus the project offers fantastic training opportunities and the excellent prospect of joining a team of highly motivated students, and EPR/MOF experts. As part of the project, the student will receive training in EPR, NMR, XRD, XPS, TEM. The PhD programme incorporates strong career development elements enabling to acquire strong transferable skills (e.g. science communication skills developed by presenting results in group meetings and at national/international research conferences).

Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry or a related discipline.

To apply, please contact the main supervisor; Dr Tuna - floriana.tuna@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.