Chemical Sciences - Research

To register for a Postgraduate Research programme, a candidate must normally have obtained a primary degree classification equivalent to Lower Second Class Honours or above, from an approved University or an approved equivalent degree-awarding body, or have an approved equivalent professional qualification in an area cognate to the proposed research topic.

PhD: Candidates holding an appropriate Master's degree obtained by research may apply for direct entry to the PhD register to conduct research in a cognate area.

PhD-track: Candidates with a taught Master's degree in an appropriate discipline with first- or second-class honours, and candidates with a primary degree in an appropriate discipline with first- or second-class honours, grade one, may apply and be considered for entry to the PhD-track register with a view to proceeding towards a PhD. Such candidates will undergo a confirmation procedure, as outlined in the Academic Regulations, before being admitted to the PhD register.

Master's by Research: Candidates holding a primary degree equivalent to a second-class honours, grade two, may apply for entry on the research Master's register. Students on the Master's register may apply for transfer to the PhD Register under the same conditions, and using the same procedure, as PhD-track candidates requesting confirmation on the PhD register.

English Language Requirements can be reviewed at:
https://www.dcu.ie/registry/english-language-requirements-non-native-speakers-english-registry

Applicants are assessed and ranked based on their performance at university, and the details provided on their application. Candidates may be called for interview and/or assessed on the basis of written work/proposed area of research.

How to Make an Application

To make an application, please use the application portal. Before making an application, please ensure you have all appropriate entry requirements and provide all supporting documentation.

DCU Student Application Portal

DCU Student Application Portal Access
DCU Student Application Portal Guide

Important Note:

Before making a research application, the applicant must consult and seek approval from the School regarding the proposed programme of study. Additional information for research applicants is also available on the DCU Graduate Studies page.

Closing Dates

There are no closing dates for the majority of Postgraduate Research applicants (although this may be subject to change). Deadlines can apply for professional doctorate programmes, e.g. Doctor of Psychotherapy, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Elite Performance (Sport).

See the relevant Research section on School pages for more information.

Outcome of an Application

Candidates who submit a valid application for DCU will be notified of the outcome of their application by email. As such, it is important to ensure that your address for correspondence is accurate and current. Please allow 4 - 6 weeks for your application to be processed.

DCD07 PhD - Chemical Sciences (Full-Time)
DCD08 PhD - Chemical Sciences (Part-Time)
DCD09 MSc - Chemical Sciences (Part-Time)
DCD10 MSc - Chemical Sciences (Full-Time)
DCD11 PhD-track - Chemical Sciences (Full-Time)
DCD12 PhD-track - Chemical Sciences (Part-Time)

Chemistry, as a physical science, is traditionally focussed on the study of the composition, properties, and reactivity of matter. Increasing interaction is happening between chemistry and other sciences, most notably the biological sciences, but also other fields such as mathematics, engineering and computing, and material sciences. As chemistry bridges many of the other natural sciences, research in chemistry plays a pivotal role in a sustainable and prosperous future for us all. For instance, our School's research is concerned with a broad range of societal challenges including effective drug design is to combat disease, converting waste products into energy, and designing next-generation sensing technologies for improved decision-making about our health and our environmental management.

Currently we have eighteen academics in our School with research interests spanning the breadth of chemistry, including reasearch in the areas of biological, environmental, inorganic, organic, materails, analytical, and physical chemistry. The School works collaboratively in various ways, both within the School and as well more broadly with other Schools across the University. The School also plays a major role in several of DCU's Research Centres.

For informal discussions on post-graduate opportunities in the School, please contact the Research Convenor, Dr. Andrew Kellett

For a comprehensive overview of our academic staff research interests, please select from our research themes below:

Chemical Biology and Imaging
Rational Design and Modelling
Analytical Chemistry
Materials Chemistry
Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry
Science Education