Queen's University Belfast
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Location
- Belfast, United Kingdom
- Funding
- Funded
- Application deadline
About the project
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- Postgraduate Research 2026
- PhD Opportunities
- Find a PhD Supervisor
Chemical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering: School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PhD
- Overview
- Course content
- Projects (5)
- Entry Requirements
- Fees and Funding
- Apply
Overview
The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering aims to promote sustainable processes and materials to meet the energy and healthcare demands of the future. The School is expanding rapidly and this is creating many new and exciting research opportunities with over £15m being invested to develop and expand the core research areas of catalysis, biological and medicinal chemistry, and materials. Mode of study / duration Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).
Subject Summary
Your research will develop and expand our core areas of Sustainability and Healthcare and our goals are to use chemistry and chemical engineering to create a greener and healthier future for us all. Our areas of interest include adventurous research at the cutting edge of catalysis (where chemistry meets other disciplines, especially engineering, innovative Molecular Materials and Functional Materials), ionic liquid technology (‘super solvents' which do not form vapours and can be used as non-polluting alternatives to conventional solvents) and Synthesis and Biological Organic Chemistry (working to deliver compounds addressing the regulation of cellular functions).
Key Facts
Queen’s University Belfast is a member of the Russell Group of the UK’s 24 leading research-intensive universities
- QUB is ranked 199th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2026 QUB is ranked =13th in the UK for research intensity QUB is ranked 9th in the UK for Graduate Prospects – Outcomes (Complete University Guide 2026)
- Over 99% of Queen’s research environment was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent in REF2021 88% of research submitted by Queen’s has been assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent in REF2021
- 83% of Research Impact case studies by the School has been assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent REF2021, placing it among the top UK universities for Research Impact
Research Information
Associated Research Much of our research falls under the broad headings of Healthcare and Sustainability, examples of recent funded projects include development of novel antibiotics and reduction of single use plastics. The School also leads the EU-funded Bryden Centre for renewable energy research, the industry-led Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) as well as our world-leading QUILL ionic liquids research centre. Students trained in our School are equipped with the skills that allow them to go out and make a real difference in the world. Our areas of interest include adventurous research at the cutting edge of catalysis (where chemistry meets other disciplines, especially engineering, innovative Molecular Materials and Functional Materials), ionic liquid technology (‘super solvents' which do not form vapours and can be used as non-polluting alternatives to conventional solvents) and Synthesis and Biological Organic Chemistry (working to deliver compounds addressing the regulation of cellular functions). QUILL (Queen's University Ionic Liquid Laboratories): the largest multidisciplinary research group in the world centred on ionic liquid technology, whose work on ‘super solvents' (which do not form vapours and can be used as non-polluting alternatives to conventional solvents) was voted ‘Most Important British Innovation of the 21st Century' in 2013. All of our research groups have significant links with researchers and institutions globally, and there are opportunities for collaboration, study visits, etc. We have extensive links with industry, meaning that employment prospects for our graduates are excellent. Much of our research is interdisciplinary, and our students can broaden their experience and knowledge by working with researchers from other disciplines (eg biologists, physicists).
Career Prospects
Introduction For further information on career opportunities at PhD level please contact the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Student Recruitment Team on askEPS@qub.ac.uk. Our advisors - in consultation with the School - will be happy to provide further information on your research area, possible career prospects and your research application.
Professor John Holbrey Director of Postgraduates Chemistry&Chemical Engineering Email: J.Holbrey@qub.ac.uk
Learning and Teaching
Project name | School | Funding | Subject | Status | Sort | Timestamp
Catalytic Decomposition of Methane for Hydrogen Production School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD Hydrogen, Catalysis, Methane Decomposition Dr Liyuan Fan Supervisor Dr Liyuan Fan Funding Funded Net2Zero Centre for Doctoral Training Application deadline None specified | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2
Renewables linked Energy Storage technologies to support CO2 utilisation and BECCS Systems School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD AI, CO2 Utilisation, BECCs Dr Chirangano Mangwandi Supervisor Dr Chirangano Mangwandi Funding Funded Net2Zero Centre for Doctoral Training Application deadline None specified | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2
AI enhanced Integrated Environmental and Condition Performance Monitoring Technology for CO2 utilisation and BECCS Systems School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD AI, CO2 Utilisation, BECCs Professor Steven Bell Supervisor Professor Steven Bell Funding Funded Net2Zero Centre for Doctoral Training Application deadline None specified | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2
CITI-GENS DTP: Seaweed bioactives for livestock nutrition and methane mitigation School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD Dr Pamela Walsh Supervisor Dr Pamela Walsh Funding Funded Horizon 2020 (EU) and Department of the Ecomony Application deadline 10 July 2020 | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1594339200
Functional Fluids for Low-Cost Hydrogen Production School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD Dr Jillian Thompson Supervisor Dr Jillian Thompson Funding Funded Department for Economy Application deadline 22 February 2021 | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1613952000
DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL IN-SITU SPECTROSCOPIC AND ELECTROCHEMICAL SENSORS FOR DETECTION OF CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD sensors, electroanalytical, environment, spectroscopic, contamination Professor Peter Robertson Supervisor Professor Peter Robertson Funding Funded Department for Economy Application deadline 29 March 2021 | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1616976000
Enhancing photocatalytic disinfection of water: the importance of bacterial factors and reactor design to enhance disinfection rates School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD Photocatalyst, bacterial factors, reactor engineering, hydrodynamic cavitation Professor Peter Robertson Supervisor Professor Peter Robertson Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Unfunded | Chemical Engineering | Open | 2
Photocatalytic valorization of biomass School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD Photocatalysis, cellulose, lignocellulose, biomass, digestate, photocatalyst, reactor design Professor Peter Robertson Supervisor Professor Peter Robertson Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Unfunded | Chemical Engineering | Open | 2
Novel 3D printed photocatalytic technologies for continuous flow synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD Continuous flow processes, 3D printed reactors, Process Intensification, Photo-catalysis Dr Haresh Manyar Supervisor Dr Haresh Manyar Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Unfunded | Chemical Engineering | Open | 2
Ionic Liquids as a Sustainable Platform for Cascade Engineered Reactions School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD Cascade Engineered processes, Ionic liquids, Advanced nanofluids, Aldol Condensation, Hydrogenation Dr Haresh Manyar Supervisor Dr Haresh Manyar Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Unfunded | Chemical Engineering | Open | 2
Hybrid Polymeric Materials for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Delivery School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD Porous, Hybrid Polymeric, Carbon materials, Zeolite, Pickering Emulsion, Hybrid Nanoparticle Dr Bo Xiao Supervisor Dr Bo Xiao Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Unfunded | Chemical Engineering | Open | 2
Characterisation and Modelling of Catalysts for Euro 7 Applications School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD Catalysis, Reaction Engineering, Aftertreatment, Emissions, Sustainability Professor Alexandre Goguet Supervisor Professor Alexandre Goguet Funding Funded Department for Economy Application deadline 15 July 2022 | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1657843200
Integrated Catalytic platform for production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD biomass conversion, sustainable aviation fuels Dr Haresh Manyar Supervisor Dr Haresh Manyar Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 26 January 2024 | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1706227200
Integrated Approach for Direct Capture & Conversion of CO2 to Dimethyl ether School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD CO2 capture and conversion, decarbonisation, net zero fuels Dr Haresh Manyar Supervisor Dr Haresh Manyar Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 26 January 2024 | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1706227200
Biocompatible Functionalised Cationic Polymeric Nanoparticles for Targeted Cancer Gene Therapy School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD environmentally-friendly polymer synthesis, polymer nanoparticle formulations, cancer therapy Dr Efrosyni Themistou Supervisor Dr Efrosyni Themistou Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 26 January 2024 | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1706227200
Development of novel functional multicharged zwitterionic coatings for biomedical application School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD protein adsorption, zwitterion, coating, antifouling, antimicrobial, self-assembly, synthesis Dr Marijana Blesic Supervisor Dr Marijana Blesic Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 26 January 2024 | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1706227200
Advancing Hydrogen Economy: Catalytic Decomposition of Ammonia Using Induction Heating on Magnetic Catalyst Nanoparticles School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD hydrogen economy, catalysis, induction heating, magnetic nanoparticles Dr Danai Poulidi Supervisor Dr Danai Poulidi Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 26 January 2024 | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1706227200
Integrating CO2 capture and utilisation using dual functional materials and efficient induction heating School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD Chemical Engineering, Carbon Capture Professor Chunfei Wu Supervisor Professor Chunfei Wu Funding Funded Industry Partner / DfE Application deadline 30 April 2025 | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1745971200
Cryogenic CO₂ Capture and Conversion from Biogas for Net Zero Fuels School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry Dr Abul Quddusi Supervisor Dr Abul Quddusi Funding Funded Northern Ireland Deparment for the Economy Application deadline 30 April 2026 | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1777507200
New advances in porous materials characterisation using low-field NMR School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD Chemical Engineering, NMR, Analytical Chemistry Dr Neil Robinson Supervisor Dr Neil Robinson Funding Funded Northern Ireland Department for the Economy Application deadline 5 January 2026 | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1767571200
Electrode development for fuel-assisted Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD hydrogen, electrode materials, fSOEC, carbon utilisation Dr Liyuan Fan Supervisor Dr Liyuan Fan Funding Funded Northern Ireland Department for the Economy Application deadline 30 April 2026 | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1777507200
AI-Driven Discovery and Engineering of Novel Enzymes for Biogas Mitigation and Utilisation School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD Professor David Rooney Supervisor Professor David Rooney Funding Funded BioAID Doctoral Training Programme - UKRI Application deadline 16 March 2026 | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Funded | Chemical Engineering | Closed | 2 | 1773619200
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Entrance requirements
Graduate The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.
International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country .
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (taken within the last 2 years).
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs .
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Tuition Fees
Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | TBC
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | TBC
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | TBC
EU Other 3 | £28,900
International | £28,900
1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. All fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
More information on postgraduate tuition fees .
Chemical Engineering costs
There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.
Bench fees
Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.
How do I fund my study?
Find PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.
We offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.
The Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.
Information on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students .
The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.
How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply .
Find a supervisor
If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.
To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here .
You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.
Download Postgraduate Prospectus