A University of Manchester-sponsored PhD studentship is available for an outstanding and ambitious chemist to undertake research in the field of synthetic inorganic chemistry in a collaborative project at Manchester Chemistry.
In this project we target molecular lanthanide single-molecule magnets (Ln SMMs). Recently at Manchester we have developed synthetic methodologies to prepare near-linear dysprosium SMMs bound by either one or two monodentate ligands (e.g. Nature 2025, 643, 125. DOI:10.1038/s41586-025-09138-0; Nature Commun. 2026, 17, 10212. DOI:10.1038/s41467-026-77104-z). These compounds show the highest effective energy barriers to magnetic reversal and magnetic hysteresis temperatures of any SMM reported to date, with magnetic memory effects shown up to 100 Kelvin. Here we propose to extend this work by targeting dysprosium compounds with geometries closer to linearity and shorter metal-ligand distances, which are expected to show improved SMM properties.
The successful candidate, based in the laboratory of Prof. David Mills and co-supervised by Dr Michael Baker, will synthesise and fully characterise a novel, exciting series of highly air- and moisture-sensitive Ln compounds, and will deposit them on surfaces using a spin-coater. These compounds will be studied by a wide variety of techniques including single crystal and powder XRD, SQUID magnetometry, X-ray magnetocircular dichroism, and infrared, UV-visible absorption/emission, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, benchmarked by density functional theory and ab initio calculations. We will determine the relaxation times of Ln SMMs in different matrices as the necessary first step towards their application in devices.
Eligibility
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.
Funding
This 3.5-year PhD project is fully funded by the School of Natural Sciences; students who are eligible to pay tuition fees at the Home rate are eligible to apply. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27) and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2027.
We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.
Before you apply
We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisors for this project before you apply. 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.
How to apply
Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425
When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.
Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:
- Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
- Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
- CV
- Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
- Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
- English Language certificate (if applicable)
If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).
Funding Notes
This 3.5-year PhD project is fully funded by the School of Natural Sciences; students who are eligible to pay tuition fees at the Home rate are eligible to apply. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27) and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2027.
We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.
