Chemistry, PhD

Campus Johanneberg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Shortlist

Shortlist

Programme overview

Main Subject

Chemistry

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

Do you want to research a substance that deals with the structure and reactions of molecules? As a doctoral student in chemistry, you get the opportunity to develop knowledge that is central to understanding the composition, structure, and properties of substances.

Chemistry is a basic natural science, which means that research and postgraduate education are governed by interdisciplinary arguments and criteria. After your doctoral degree, you are well prepared for the challenges and methods that the subject of chemistry faces as industrial and societal needs play a role in the design of projects and research problems. The graduate school also has several different specializations that you can choose from. Read more in the study plan.

The graduate school is organised within the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.

Description of subject

Chemistry is the area of knowledge which deals with the composition, structure and features of substances, the reactions which transfer substances to other substances and the different types of energy changes which accompany these reactions. Chemistry is a basic natural science, which among other things means that research and doctoral programmes are mainly governed by intrascientific arguments and criteria. This of course does not prevent industrial and social needs from playing a major role when research problems are formulated, and projects organised.

The special orientations at the graduate school of chemistry at Chalmers are presented in the following section.

Description of specializations

Analytical chemistry
Analytical chemistry involves the quantitative and qualitative measurement of atoms, molecules, particles, in all forms of complex samples ranging from fluids, gases and solids to cells and tissues from a chemical perspective. Analytical chemistry pushes the limits of measurement science through the development of cutting-edge instrumentation and application of new technologies. Research spans over the traditional areas of analytical chemistry, including separations, spectroscopy, electrochemistry and mass spectrometry.
Applied Surface Chemistry
Applied surface chemistry covers technical applications of surface chemistry and has its theoretical basis in physical chemistry. The discipline can be divided into 1) surface and colloid chemistry, and 2) solid surface chemistry. Applications include the food and pharmaceutical industry, as well as the paper and mining industry. Materials technology is another important area, where superabsorbents, catalysts, fuel cells, batteries and biomaterials are examples with extensive research in this field.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry concerns the study of the chemistry of life itself and the molecular processes involved. Topics for study include the structure and function of different classes of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids and lipids, as well as the interactions between such molecules that are important in understanding biochemical processes. The subject is cross-disciplinary and connects to other areas such as biophysical chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, and bioorganic chemistry.
Industrial materials recycling
Industrial materials recycling covers all disciplines of chemistry, from basic science to development of industrial processes. The main direction is recovery of metals from waste flows, but also other waste materials such as plastics, ceramics and cements are handled. To achieve this, separation of several elements from each other is required, where typical separation methods are solvent extraction, electrochemistry and pyrochemistry as well as mechanical separation methods.
Inorganic chemistry
Inorganic chemistry strives for a fundamental understanding of reactions, structure and bonding in inorganic, organometallic, metal-organic and bio-inorganic compounds, molecules, substances and materials. This knowledge is important in other disciplines such as catalysis, energy conversion and energy storage, efficient process technology, sensors, corrosion, metalloproteins, medical implants, biological process, electronics, information and communication technology, and nanoscience.
Nuclear chemistry
Nuclear chemistry, with roots in both chemistry and nuclear physics, deals with the chemical aspects of nuclear science and plays a central role in nuclear power technology as well as medicine and environmental applications. The subject covers the study of mechanisms and products in conjunction with nuclear reactions and radioactive decay, production of radioactive nuclides, separation of isotopes, chemistry of radioactive elements, the interaction of ionising radiation with materials, radiation protection and radioactive tracers.
Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry concerns the synthesis, reactions and properties of carbon compounds. The subject includes areas such as physical organic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, asymmetric synthesis, organocatalysis, bioorganic chemistry, green chemistry, modification of solid materials such as cellulose, and the synthesis of biologically active compounds. A new and exciting area of research is graphene chemistry, with a highly interdisciplinary character.
Pharmaceutical technology
Pharmaceutical technology concerns the manufacturing and studies of drug formulations as liquids, gels and tablets. A modern drug contains not only the active compound but also many excipients (additives) to give the product the desired properties for storage and use, and to facilitate its preparation. Pharmaceutical technology is therefore to a large extent involved in manufacturing and characterization of the excipients and their properties using methods such as DSC, NMR and rheology.
Physical chemistry
Physical chemistry covers the theoretical basis for chemistry, including areas such as thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, quantum chemistry, molecular spectroscopy, biophysical chemistry, photochemistry and electrochemistry. Topics of interest are mechanisms for energy- and electron-transfer for harvesting solar energy and for photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide, photochromic systems with applications in biochemistry and fluorescent materials, interactions of nucleic acids with drugs and enzymes, as well as microscopic techniques and nanofluidics for lipid membranes.

Theoretical Chemistry
Theoretical chemistry revolves around the prediction of molecular and material properties using quantum mechanical calculations. Developments in theoretical chemistry is resulting in a cross-disciplinary materials revolution, where the time from idea to realization of new solar cells, energy dense fuels and more effective drug molecules is shorter than ever before. Theoretical chemistry enables the study of materials before they exist, and of chemistry that is difficult to achieve in a laboratory.

Programme overview

Main Subject

Chemistry

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

Admission Requirements

General entry requirements

To be qualified for admission in the Chemistry graduate school the student must have earned a degree at the second-cycle level. The orientation of the student’s degree shall also have a sufficiently close connection to the subject of the doctoral programme. Equivalent requirements apply to individuals who have taken their first degree in a country other than Sweden. The examiner, in consultation with the principal supervisor, shall assess whether the applicant has the requisite capacity to successfully complete the doctoral programme. Other requirements for general entry are regulated in Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes.

Admission
Regulations regarding admission are stated in Appointment regulation for doctoral Programmes.

Scholarships

Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.

To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:

Campus Johanneberg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Programme overview

Main Subject

Degree

Study Level

Study Mode

Programme overview

Main Subject

Degree

Study Level

Study Mode

Admission Requirements

Exam Scores

Scholarships

Scholarships

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