DPhil Studentship in Chiral Organic Materials: Controlling Light and Electron Spin Using Chiral Conjugated Organic Materials

Supervisor: Professor Matthew Fuchter

Start date: 1^st October 2026

Applications are invited for a DPhil studentship in Chiral Organic Materials available from October 2026, to work under the supervision of Professor Matthew Fuchter in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oxford.

The studentship will cover course fees at a Home rate and provide a stipend of no less than the standard UK Research Council rate (currently set at £20,780 p.a.) for 3.5 years. Please note the eligibility criteria set out by the UKRI at: https://www.ukri.org/what-we-do/developing-people-and-skills/esrc/funding-for-postgraduate-training-and-development/eligibility-for-studentship-funding/   

Research in the Fuchter group using chemical synthesis and physical science innovation to invent new methods, molecules, and materials to advance chemistry-led modern science. One key theme is the development and study of chiral materials for technological applications. By harnessing the polarisation of photons and the spin of electrons, chirality provides a new approach to many applications, from bioimaging, to quantum information systems, to energy-efficient displays. We use a range of chiral systems, including chiral conjugated small molecules, polymers, nanomaterials (such as fullerenes) and hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite materials to explore the functional potential of chirality in optoelectronic technologies.

This studentship will build from this track record, exploring new and exciting directions in chiral materials research. From a technical standpoint, the project will involve include synthetic chemistry, materials chemistry, spectroscopy and possibly device work. Key will be strong collaboration with a multidisciplinary team including materials scientists and physicists.

Candidates with a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree in Chemistry or a related subject are encouraged to apply. The candidate is expected to have a strong commitment to research and should have demonstrated the ability to independently learn new skills. The successful applicant will be based in the Chemistry Research Laboratory, Oxford.

Candidates should contact Professor Matthew Fuchter (matthew.fuchter@chem.ox.ac.uk) via the above ‘Apply’ button before submitting a formal application for DPhil in Chemistry via Oxford online application system:

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/application-guide

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-chemistry

Please quote MF/Chem/2026 under ‘Departmental Studentship Applications’.

Application deadline: 12.00 noon UK time on Friday 14^th November 2026.

Queries relating to the application and admission process should be directed to: graduate.admissions@chem.ox.ac.uk; tel.: +44 (0) 1865 272569.

The Department of Chemistry holds the Athena SWAN Silver Award and the Fuchter group is dedicated to promoting diversity, equality and inclusion.  

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