PhD Scholarship in inorganic chemistry

Organisation/Company University College Dublin Department School of Chemistry Research Field Chemistry " Inorganic chemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 17 Jul 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Dublin) Country Ireland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The project

Building on initial work undertaken in the group, the project aims to use porous magnetic materials as substrates for medical imaging applications. The student will synthesise metal-organic frameworks with functionalised ligands (R-MOFs) to interact with paramagnetic gas, which can be used in MRI imaging in a process called Dynamic Nuclear Polarisation (DNP). This gives a new method of extremely high-quality imaging, with clear potential to offer better quality diagnostics for the detection of diseases such as CoViD-19 and tuberculosis and the damage they cause.

External collaboration will involve the UK National Crystallographic Service for structure characterisation of weakly-diffracting R-MOF crystals.

Details

Applications are welcome from students with, or expecting to gain, a degree in Chemistry at 1st class hons or 2:1 grade (or equivalent). In particular, candidates with experience in inorganic synthesis are strongly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate is expected to have excellent communication skills (oral and writing). This position will be filled once the suitable candidate has been identified so early applications are advised. Interviews will be held in-person if local to Dublin, or by Zoom or Teams if further away.

Applications should include a short cover letter, CV and the contact details for at least two academic referees and should be sent by email to Dr Tony Keene () no later than Friday 17 of July 2026. Please use "SWHF application" as the subject line of your application email. Informal enquiries are also welcome.

UCD supports equal opportunities and does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of gender, age, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, disability or membership of the traveller community.