EPSRC CDT in Chemical Synthesis for a Healthy Planet (CSHP)
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Centre and Doctoral Training in Chemical Synthesis for a Healthy Planet is a collaboration between the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oxford and the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence at the University of York.
The programme will provide training to the next generation of synthetic chemists, developing a sustainable, innovative chemistry culture that equips students to address major emerging and future global challenges in Human Health, Energy & Materials, and Food Security.
The overarching objective is to train students to supersede current practices for the synthesis of functional organic molecules by developing sustainable, field-advancing synthetic pathways to the complex targets needed in drug discovery, agrochemistry, and materials development.
Student cohorts will work together on a 4-month training period, spending time at both the University of Oxford and the University of York. The costs associated with staying away from your host institution will be covered by the programme.
Following the completion of the 4-month training period students will begin to work on their main PhD projects. These substantive projects will be industry co-supervised, and based at either Oxford or York.
Open to International (including EU) and UK (home) students.
Open to students in the Department of Chemistry.
We aim to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK and are able to offer a limited number of bursaries that will enable full studentships to be awarded to international applicants. Up to 30% of full studentships can be awarded to exceptional quality candidates.
You can apply if you have, or are expecting to gain, at least an upper second class honours degree or equivalent. We welcome applications if your background provides the necessary skills, knowledge and experience for the CDT, in chemistry or chemical engineering.
The CSHP CDT is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. For more information see our Postgraduate English language requirements.
Application deadline: Wednesday 29 January 2025, 5pm GMT
The course is now open to applications for entry in October 2025. The next application deadline is 29th January. For further information, visit our website or email cshp-cdt@chem.ox.ac.uk.
To submit your application, please use the University's online application system.
Please submit only one application to York for the CSHP Centre for Doctoral Training, In the Research Proposal Section of the application form please state the 3 CSHP projects you are interested in. Your research interests and experiences should be included in your Personal Statement.
Please be aware that your application will be shared with the CSHP Leadership Team, who are based at the University of Oxford and the University of York.
Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date and applicants are normally notified promptly.
If you're shortlisted you'll be invited for an interview.
You'll be notified as soon as possible after the interview dates whether your application has been successful, placed on a reserve list, or unsuccessful. If you are successful, you'll be required to confirm your intention to accept the studentship within 2 weeks.
The studentships are fully funded for four years and you must complete your PhD within those four years.
You'll receive a minimum of £19,237 per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) stipend is tax-free and does not need to be paid back.
International students will need to have sufficient funds to cover the costs of their student visa, NHS health surcharge, travel insurance and transport to the UK as these are excluded from UKRI funding.
As a member of the York Graduate Research School, you will study throughout the whole year, working for at least 35 hours per week, and will have a usual annual leave entitlement (normally 30 days over the year plus public holidays). You are encouraged to make use of your leave and have a responsibility to discuss the timing of this with your supervisor (for longer periods of holiday) and recording leave taken through the year. Students working in collaboration with non-academic partners are expected to bear in mind their obligations to those partners in planning leave.
You must adhere to the University’s regulations, policies and guidance regarding research degree programmes.
As part of the CSHP CDT programme you are expected to attend all mandatory induction, meetings and training sessions scheduled by the CDT. This will include regular travel to Newcastle University, particularly in the early stages of the PhD.
The following projects are currently available. Additional detailed information can be seen on the Department of Chemistry research projects page.
- Functional Sugar-derived Polymers for Sustainable Agricultural Applications
- Green Polymers from Sugars towards Polyethylene-Like Materials
- Systematic Exploration of 3D Pharmaceutical Space using 3D Bifunctional Building Blocks
- Stable Organometallic Gels for sp3-sp2 and sp2-sp2 Negishi Cross-Coupling
- sp3-sp2 Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling of Heterocyclic Organoborons: Exploring 3D Pharmaceutical Space
- An exploration of “greener” alternatives for oligonucleotide synthesis
- Late-Stage Oxygenation of Medicinally Important Bridged Bicyclic Hydrocarbons using Unspecific Peroxygenases (UPOs)
- Metal-free catalysis to make and break C-F bonds