Supervisors: Prof Steve Liddle, Dr Igor Roncevic
Applications accepted all year round
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
A fully funded PhD Studentship is available for a highly motivated, outstanding chemist with a passion for inorganic synthesis and characterisation to undertake f-element synthesis and structural, spectroscopic, magnetic, and computational characterisation.
Recently, we have discovered an exciting class of nanocluster, namely trithorium clusters. These clusters exhibit actinide-actinide metal bonding and open- and closed-shell exalted diamagnetism, and hence they are superatomic open- and closed-shell Jellium aromats (Nature, 2021, 598, 72; Nat. Chem. 2025, 17, 1035; Nat. Commun. 2026, 17, 8117; Chem 2026, 12, DOI:10.1016/j.chempr.2026.103107).
In this PhD project, we will go beyond discrete clusters in order to prepare supramolecular derivatives so that we can elucidate novel quantum, photo-physical, and magnetic properties. This will require the appointed student to undertake inorganic synthesis (Schlenk and glove boxes), then characterise the resulting compounds with a wide range of techniques: X-ray crystallography (regular structure determinations and quantum crystallographic), spectroscopies (solution and solid-state NMR, IR, Raman, UV/Vis/NIR, EPR, luminescence, 2-photon, XAS, and RIXS), magnetism (SQUID magnetometry), and quantum chemical calculations.
You will be trained in the above, and also scientific writing, presentation skills, safety, and other transferable skills. You will benefit from the interdisciplinary co-supervision, and also interdisciplinary collaborations that underpin many of the above techniques. We anticipate that there will be opportunities to visit collaborators, including national facilities, and to get hands-on training with a wide range of techniques and analytical methods.
This project is expected to start in September 2027.
Before you apply:
We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisors for this project before you apply.
How to apply:
To be considered for this project you must complete a formal application through our online application portal. If you already have an applicant account this link will directly open an application for PhD School of Natural Sciences Scholarships. If you don’t already have an applicant account, please follow the instructions here.
When applying, please specify the full title and supervisor/s of the project, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. You must also upload a Supporting Statement describing your motivation to apply to the project, your CV and transcripts of awarded and in-progress university qualifications. Please note late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester and central to all our activities. A diverse research community strengthens creativity, productivity and quality, while increasing the societal and economic impact of our work. We welcome applicants from all career paths, backgrounds and sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation or transgender status.
We welcome applications from candidates returning to study after a career break or experience in other roles. Flexible study arrangements may be available, including part-time study at 50%, 60% or 80%, subject to the requirements of the project and funder.
Eligibility: The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree (or international equivalent) in Chemistry OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit (or international equivalent) in Chemistry. Previous research experience in organic and air sensitive inorganic chemistry is desirable.
This project will remain open until filled.
If your application is submitted by 1st November 2026, you can expect a decision by 18th December 2026.
If your application is submitted by 15th January 2027, you can expect a decision by 30th March 2027.
Self or externally funded students can also be considered for this project.
FSE_SoNS
Funding Notes
Funding covers tuition fees, an annual stipend at the UKRI minimum rate (currently £21,805 per year), and a research training support grant of up to £2,500 per year for the full 3.5-year programme.