PhD Studentship: Next-Generation Hair Repair Products

Award summary

100% home fees covered, and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £21,805 (subject to minor change)

Overview

Human hair possesses a complex, hierarchical structure that is readily damaged during routine styling treatments involving heat, chemical processing, and mechanical stress. The global hair care market is a highly innovative and dynamic sector, estimated at more than £100 billion and growing at over 6% every year. This project aims to deliver a step-change in hair care technology by developing new strategies to form covalent bonds within hair fibres, moving beyond current approaches that rely primarily on hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. While these weaker interactions can provide temporary repair, they are inherently fragile and often lost after repeated washing. Drawing inspiration from contemporary organic chemistry, this project will explore methods to permanently restore structural integrity by covalently repairing damaged bonds within hair. The project will investigate chemistries for the selective covalent modification of the hair surface, enabling durable repair and functional enhancement. A key focus will be the development of reactions that are not only effective, but also safe, non-toxic, and fully compatible with existing hair care routines. This interdisciplinary project will appeal to candidates interested in applying fundamental chemistry to real-world challenges. The student will benefit from close collaboration with scientists at Procter & Gamble Hair Care in Cincinnati.