[Studentship covers course fees at Home rate and provides a stipend of no less than the standard UK Research Council rate (£20,780 p.a.) for 3 years.] This DPhil studentship at the University of Oxford offers an exciting opportunity to join the Mehta group in the Department of Chemistry, focusing on the synthesis and application of Zintl clusters as catalysts for organic transformations. The research centers on creating clusters from sustainable main group elements such as phosphorus, germanium, boron, and aluminum, with the aim of developing new catalytic processes. A key application area is the conversion of common waste products and greenhouse gases, like CO2, into valuable industrial feedstocks such as methanol, contributing to sustainable chemical practices. The Mehta group is known for its interdisciplinary approach, combining inert-atmosphere synthesis, organic catalysis, NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and electrochemistry to push the boundaries of traditional chemistry.

The successful candidate will work in the Chemistry Research Laboratory at Oxford, benefiting from a collaborative and inclusive environment. The studentship covers Home tuition fees and provides a stipend at the UK Research Council rate (£20,780 per annum) for three years. Applicants should hold a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree in Chemistry or a closely related field, possess synthetic laboratory experience, and demonstrate a strong commitment to research and independent learning.

The group and department are committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion, as reflected in their Athena SWAN Silver Award. For more information about the group, visit the Mehta Lab website. Applications must be submitted through the Oxford online application system, quoting 'MM/Chem/2026' under Departmental Studentship Applications.

The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon UK time on Thursday, 8 January 2026. For questions regarding the application process, contact [email protected].