The University of Manchester, Department of Chemistry, is inviting applications for a fully funded 3.5-year PhD studentship in Adaptive Kinetic Spectral Deconvolution, within its internationally recognised NMR Methodology Group.
The full-time PhD programme, based in Manchester, will commence in October 2026 and focuses on the development of advanced methodologies for analysing time-resolved nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data. The research combines experimental NMR spectroscopy with computational approaches to better understand how complex chemical mixtures evolve during chemical reactions.
Funding and Eligibility
The studentship is jointly funded by the Department of Chemistry Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) and JEOL (UK) Ltd. It provides:
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A tax-free annual stipend of £20,780 (UKRI rate for 2025/26), expected to increase annually
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Full payment of tuition fees for the duration of the programme
Applications are open to UK students and EU students with settled status only. Candidates without settled status are not eligible.
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Research Environment
The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Dr Ralph Adams, Professor Mathias Nilsson, and Professor Gareth Morris, with additional industrial partnership support from JEOL (UK) Ltd. The research will be conducted in a state-of-the-art NMR environment, with strong industry links and an active interdisciplinary research community.
The project will focus on creating and applying new approaches for extracting spectral and kinetic information from time-resolved NMR experiments. These methods aim to provide deeper insights into reaction mechanisms, particularly in complex, multi-component systems where conventional analytical techniques are limited. The work is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing on experimental chemistry, chemical kinetics, mathematical modelling, and computational data analysis, including modern AI-driven techniques.
Candidate Profile
The studentship is suitable for highly motivated applicants from Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Data Science, Engineering, or related disciplines. Applicants should hold, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree or a Master’s degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject.
How to Apply
Prospective applicants are encouraged to apply early, as the advertisement may be withdrawn before the closing date.
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Application link: uom.link/pgr-apply-2425
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Enquiries: Interested candidates should contact the main supervisor, Dr Ralph Adams, via email at [email protected], including details of academic background, current level of study, relevant experience, and a short statement of motivation.
Key Dates:
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Advert placed: 17 December 2025
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Application deadline: 31 January 2026
This PhD studentship offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of NMR methodology development within one of the UK’s leading chemistry research institutions.
