PhD Studentship: Determining Nanoscale Transformation Mechanisms of Metal-Organic Frameworks

Application deadline: 28/02/2026
Research theme: Metal Organic Frameworks

UK only

This 3.5 year PhD project is fully funded by the Department of Chemistry (via EPSRC DLA). Home students, and EU students with settled status, are eligible to apply. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26) and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2026.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

A PhD studentship is available in the Department of Chemistry for an excellent chemist in the field of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).

MOFs are the largest family of crystalline nanoporous material that is receiving global research attention for numerous uses including the storage of toxic and air polluting gases, carbon capture and water harvesting. Many applications of MOFs, including those connected with guest sorption and framework flexing, involve transformations of the framework in response to stimuli such as heat, pressure, light or chemical guests. To enable performance enhancement of current MOFs and to produce new functional MOFs for such applications requires mechanistic understanding, at the nanoscale, of the stimuli responsive transformations involved. Such nanoscale mechanistic understanding can be obtained by studying the surfaces of transforming crystals in real time using the technique of atomic force microscopy (AFM). We are the first group to use this approach to determine the nanoscale flexing transformation mechanism of a MOF induced by solvent guest exchange (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025, 147, 17201 https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c02868).

It is the aim of this project to use this novel methodology to investigate a range of single crystal-to-single crystal MOF stimuli responsive transformations at the surface to gain unprecedented nanoscopic insight into the mechanism of such processes in the bulk and at the surface, including kinetic and energetic information on the transformation process. Furthermore, we aim to use this understanding to drive the development of the form and function of current and new MOFs.

Overall, this project will provide excellent experience in a diverse range of areas including: materials chemistry, nanoporous materials, materials’ synthesis, ex-situ and in-situ atomic force microscopy, powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction, crystallography, scanning electron microscopy, and guest adsorption/ exchange.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

To apply, please contact the main supervisor, Dr Attfield - m.attfield@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

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