Regius Professor of Chemistry
Chemistry
Grade 10 – commensurate with experience
05-Jan-2027 23:30
A global call for an exceptional academic leader to help shape the future of Chemistry at the University of Liverpool.
The Opportunity
The title of Regius Professor is rare and prestigious bestowed by the Sovereign to recognise exceptionally high-quality research. Only 14 have been granted since Queen Victoria's reign, including 12 to mark Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. The University of Liverpool was awarded the Regius Professorship in Chemistry in 2016 as part of the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.
We are seeking to appoint a Regius Professor of Chemistry who is an outstanding and internationally recognised research leader, who will not only bring with them established and world leading research that has shaped their discipline, but whose ambitious vision aligns to the University’s strengths, as well as national priorities and major funding opportunities.
The University of Liverpool provides a distinctive platform for this ambition, combining interdisciplinary research strengths with major investments in infrastructure and facilities, including a new Chemical Sciences Building planned for Late 2030.
An established, active research leader, you will be expected to grow your existing internationally recognised research portfolio to support you, you will be hosted in a Top 100 QS World Ranking Chemistry Department.
The Chemistry Department, recipient of the Queens Anniversary Prize in 2023, has an international reputation for conducting pioneering research to tackle global challenges felt on a regional, national and global scale. The department was ranked third in the UK for world leading (4*) impact in the last Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), a position it has held for the last two REF exercises. We have globally distinctive research and innovation platforms, notably the Materials Innovation Factory (MIF), a partnership with Unilever, with the highest concentration of robots doing materials chemistry in the world.
Three focussed research themes exemplify the breadth and depth of our research across the chemical sciences:
- Materials Chemistry, including AI led discovery and autonomous laboratories, manufacturing, nanomaterials and surface science.
- Chemistry of World Health, covering medicinal chemistry, materials chemistry for nanomedicines, molecular modelling, antimicrobial surfaces research, and bio-organic chemistry.
- Energy and Interfaces, including energy storage and generation, interfaces, molecular electronics, biomass transformation and sustainable catalysis.
Our cross-disciplinary research takes place within our Chemistry founded and led research centres and institutes: Materials Innovation Factory (MIF), Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy (SIRE), Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces (OPIHAS), Surface Science Research Centre (SSRC), Leverhulme Centre for Materials Design (LCMD), AI in Chemistry Hub (AIchemy), Centre of Excellence for Long Acting Therapeutics (CELT).
How to apply
There are three separate documents which will form your application:
- Letter of application (outlining how you meet the essential criteria, 2 pages A4).
- Full CV.
- Research Statement (outlining interests and future direction, up to 4 pages A4).
For more information: Email Professor Karl Coleman, Dean of Physical Sciences (karl.coleman@liverpool.ac.uk).
Interviews: 9th and 11th February 2027.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to enhancing a workforce as diverse as our community and particularly encourage applicants who are of minoritised genders and ethnic backgrounds, living with a disability, and/or are members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
As an inclusive and world-leading academic environment, we recognise the importance of work–life balance and actively support flexible working practices. Details of our Equality and Diversity policy can be consulted here.
