Chemistry

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The Department of Chemistry undertakes a wide range of research in all of the important branches of modern chemistry, together with 94% of our research outputs classed as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF, 2014 – Chemistry). This coupled with a considerable number of collaborative interdisciplinary projects with colleagues from other departments and industrial organisations.

Research in the Department of Chemistry falls within the broad areas of: biomedical, molecular and analytical chemistry, materials and interfaces for the future, and soft matter.

These activities benefit from our purpose-built Chemical Analysis Facility, which provides instrumentation in the areas of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), x-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, thermal analysis, electron microscopy and molecular spectroscopy.

We are supported by strong links with international companies representing all sectors of the chemical industry. We have excellent relationships with organisations such as AstraZeneca, BP, Cytec, DuPont, GSK, Henkel, Johnson Matthey, Pfizer, Proctor & Gamble, Syngenta and Unilever. Industrial collaboration is one of our key strengths, and our research groups have worked on projects with a number of major organisations.

Our MSc by Research programme will train you to undertake practical and theoretical research in your specialist area of chemistry with guidance from an experienced researcher. In addition to a one-year research project, you will follow two lecture courses which are selected to complement your project.

Looking for postgraduate research opportunities?

Come to Reading for your PhD or professional doctorate and join a talented and diverse community of fellow researchers working to improve lives across the globe.