About this role
Title: Zintl Clusters as catalysts to mediate organic transformations
Supervisor: Professor Meera Mehta
Start date: 1st October 2026
Applications are invited for a DPhil studentship in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry available from October 2026, to work under the supervision of Professor Meera Mehta 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 (currently set at £20,780 p.a.) 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 Mehta group focusses on the synthesis of clusters featuring sustainable main group elements, including phosphorus, germanium, boron and aluminum, and finding applications for them in organic catalysis. Transformations of particular interest include those that convert common waste products or greenhouse gases into useful industrial feedstocks, such as the conversion of CO2 to methanol. The group strives to break down some of the traditional barriers within chemistry, combining expertise in inert-atmosphere synthesis, organic catalysis, NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and electrochemistry. More information can be found on the group website: https://www.mehtalab.co.uk/.
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, synthetic experience, and should have demonstrated the ability to independently learn new skills. The successful applicant will be based in the Chemistry Research Laboratory, Oxford.
Candidates should submit a formal application for DPhil in Chemistry via the Oxford online application system:
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/application-guide
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-chemistry
Please quote MM/Chem/2026 under ‘Departmental Studentship Applications’. Application deadline: 12.00 noon UK time on Thursday 8th January 2026 Queries relating to the application and admission process should be directed to: [email protected]; tel.: +44 (0) 1865 272569.
The Department of Chemistry holds the Athena SWAN Silver Award and the Mehta group is dedicated to promoting diversity, equality and inclusion.