Department of Chemistry | Masters by Research (MScr) Sustainable Chemistry and Catalysis

Masters by Research (MScr) Sustainable Chemistry & Catalysis at Durham University

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Sustainable Chemistry provides many of the crucial underpinning technologies and solutions that enable the responsible production and use of chemicals that we all rely on in our daily lives, which are fundamental in delivering vital global Net Zero targets to tackle Climate Change proactively.  Research in Sustainable Chemistry is an essential component for achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which emphasise the necessity of using nature’s resources efficiently and responsibly, eradicating waste and hazardous substances in chemical production and usage, promoting their reuse and recycling (circular economy), and safeguarding and enhancing the environment.

Catalysis is one of the key tools for delivering these vital Sustainability Goals.  It plays a critical part in driving the urgent transition from reliance on finite fossil resources to sustainable raw materials for energy generation and chemical, pharmaceutical and materials manufacture. Catalysis enables highly efficient chemicals manufacture under mild conditions with high atom economy and less waste. Furthermore, Catalysis research is crucial in delivering key enhancements in environmental protection, which include emission control technologies and clean energy generation.

Examples of current research in Sustainable Chemistry & Catalysis at Durham University include:

• new approaches in synthetic process chemistry (g. microfluidics, microwave-assisted and flow chemistry, reaction optimisation using robotics and automation);
• development and use of sustainable (bio-derived) feedstocks for chemicals manufacture;
• design and application of tailored ligands in homogeneous catalysis for commodity chemical synthesis;
• catalysis for environmental protection including greenhouse gas emission abatement and water clean-up;
• applications of kinetics and quantitative structure-activity approaches to determination of mechanism in bio- and organocatalysis;
• synthesis and applications of stable organic radicals;
• use and modification of porous catalysts such as zeolites;
• catalytic hydrogen production;
• conversion of carbon dioxide to fuels and chemicals;
• bio-derived polymers and materials;
• application of state-of-the-art analytical techniques including lab-based XAS.

We are excited to offer new Catalysis & Sustainable Chemistry projects as part of the MSc by Research departmental programme.  These projects offer graduate students year-long research opportunities that span a range of areas including Synthetic Inorganic, Organometallic & Organic Chemistry, Materials Synthesis, Homo & Heterogeneous Catalysis and Process Chemistry.  They provide excellent preparation for later interdisciplinary PhD studies spanning a range of sub-disciplines including Environmental Protection Technologies, Materials Science, Energy Generation and Industrial Chemicals & Materials Manufacture. Much of the Department’s ongoing research in the areas of Sustainable Chemistry & Catalysis are being undertaken in close collaboration with industrial partners. Consequently, this provides students opportunities to meet with industry leaders and gain insight into commercial R&D environments and career opportunities.

The course is a one-year research project (or 24 months part-time) based in the laboratories of your supervisory team.  During this period students are encouraged to attend and contribute to research seminars, symposia and workshops.  To broaden their general Chemistry knowledge students are required to attend a minimum of four lecture courses of relevance to their own research area(s), which provide additional tailored academic and scientific development opportunities.  These are chosen by the student in consultation with their supervisor from a portfolio offered for students at this level.  In addition to these there are many wider student experience activities, as well as non-credit bearing skills development courses delivered through the Department of Chemistry and other Department’s across the University including Biosciences, Mathematical Sciences, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Engineering and Physics.  Training in a wide range of transferrable skills is also provided via our Durham Centre for Academic Development, our aligned Centres for Doctoral Training and through our Department Early Career Researcher Group.

Mutual respect and support are at the core of how the Department of Chemistry functions. Masters by Research students are a valued part of our interdisciplinary community and are encouraged to take part in all of our activities, particularly our Early Career Researcher Group. All postgraduate students are assigned a “supervisory team” comprising their supervisor and a second member of academic staff, providing both scientific direction and more general support.

In addition to the formal courses described above we offer an enhanced range of opportunities for Masters by Research students to participate in to support their development as professional chemists. These include:

• Project-specific technical training from the MSc supervisory team;
• Weekly seminars in the Department of Chemistry covering a diverse range of topics;
• Monthly Bioactive Chemistry Research Meetings.

The MSc by Research gives graduate students year-long research opportunities, increasing their research skills and independence. The course provides training in both specialist provided further develops valuable transferable skills. They are excellent preparation for an R&D career in industry or an interdisciplinary research PhD.

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