DPhil Studentship in Organic Chemistry: Redox Activation Methods for Catalysis in Organic Synthesis

Supervisor: Professor Timothy Donohoe

Start date: 1^st October 2026

Applications are invited for a DPhil studentship in synthetic organic chemistry available from October 2026, to work under the supervision of Professor Tim Donohoe 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 (set at (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/2027 academic year) for 3 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 Donohoe group utilises catalytic methods to activate organic molecules using either oxidation or reduction in situ. For recent TJD group papers in these areas, see https://tjdonohoe.web.ox.ac.uk/publications-0  including J. Am. Chem. Soc, 2026, 148, 1252; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e21374; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e202424959.

The project will work in synthetic organic chemistry and catalysis to address challenges in the stereoselective preparation of complex organic molecules and will involve aspects of asymmetric and total synthesis and some mechanistic work.

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.

Informal enquiries about this studentship can be made to timothy.donohoe@chem.ox.ac.uk

Candidates should then submit a formal application for DPhil in Chemistry via the Oxford online application system via the above 'Apply' button.

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

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

Application deadline: There is no deadline for applying. We will continue to process applications until a suitable candidate is found. Candidates are therefore recommended to enquire and apply as soon as possible.

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 Donohoe group is dedicated to promoting diversity, equality and inclusion.  

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