Studying for a PhD in the Department of Chemistry will provide you with access to world-class research facilities as well as the opportunity to take advantage of the many transferable skills training courses that are offered both within the Department and at the Imperial College Graduate School. Completing these courses can allow postgraduate students to achieve Registered Scientist status, full Membership of a Professional Body or Chartered status.

PhD students will have unique access to the growing number of facilities and opportunities that are developing both within the Department and as part of the wider White City campus development.

The Chemistry Department's new building at White City allows internal and external researchers from academia and industry to co-locate with us for an agreed period, working shoulder-to-shoulder on common challenges. Collaborators joining us in the building have access to expertise and people (through joint supervision of research projects), as well as state-of-the-art facilities. Our facilities include molecular characterisation and autonomous chemistry, as well as extensive wet-lab capabilities, cleanrooms, materials manufacturing laboratories, nanomaterials fabrications and molecular imaging suites.

The department has held its Gold Athena Swan award for good practice in supporting academic women since September 2013. This award recognises the good practices already in place for supporting women at all stages as well as promoting an inclusive working environment for all.

The Chemistry department has a proud history of pioneering chemistry training and research with practical benefits to society which continues today. We are one of the largest departments in the UK and our activities cover the full range of fundamental theoretical and experimental chemistry, as well as research at chemistry’s interfaces with other disciplines such as materials, engineering, biology and medicine.

It normally takes between three and four years of full-time work to complete. It is also possible to undertake a PhD part time, over five to six years.