Research and Innovation

Royal Academy of Engineering fellowship

Dr Richard Bourne rewarded for developing novel methods to optimise the discovery and manufacture of new medicines

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Dr Richard Bourne from the University of Leeds with equipment that is helping to transform the way medicines and other chemicals are produced

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The Astbury Centre

The Centre brings together researchers from across the University to allow interdisciplinary approaches to be harnessed to understand the molecular basis of life

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Astbury conversation 2020, students at the conference

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World-leading facilities for materials research

The Bragg centre brings together scientists and engineers across a wide range of disciplines pursuing both fundamental and applied research

Senior research fellow
Strong links
Bragg centre

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Research and innovation

Our world-leading research, delivered via six research groups, cuts across the fields of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. The research themes of these groups are all at the disciplinary interfaces of chemistry, with: physics, geology and biology, biology and medicine, physics and mathematics, materials science, medicine and chemical engineering.

We have strong links with the Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology.

95%

of research activity is

‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ latest REF

Over 75

academic and research staff

working with over 100 PhD researchers to deliver high-impact research

100%

of our research has

‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ impact latest REF

Our research

The Earth's atmosphere, which is studied by atmospheric chemists at the University of Leeds

Atmospheric and Planetary Chemistry

Understanding our atmosphere is essential for sustainable future development. Atmospheric chemistry influences air quality, human health, and climate change and hence the future of our planet.

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Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry

We focus on chemical approaches at the interfaces of biology and medicine, with expertise in synthesis, molecular recognition, mechanistic enzymology, medicinal, biophysical chemistry and nanoscience.

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Colour and Polymer Science

Our research focuses on the design, synthesis and evaluation of novel colorants and their applications, as well as the design, synthesis and characterisation of monomers and macromolecules.

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Computational Chemistry and Chemical Physics

We strive to understand and control atomic and molecular motion in chemical reactivity. Novel computational and analytical methods for quantum dynamics are an important part of our work.

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Crystallisation and Directed Assembly

We look at the application of assembly-based approaches for the generation of new functional materials, investigating how assembly occurs over length scales from the molecular to the mesoscale.

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Process Research and Development

Through the Institute of Process Research and Development, we explore the manufacturing of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals and new materials.

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Research degrees

Studying for a PhD will be a journey that will stimulate your passion for your subject and push you to reach your potential.

Search our projects, ideas, funding opportunities, research areas and PhD supervisors.

Knowledge transfer

Working with business

We put science into action through partnerships with industry, and deliver value-based solutions to a host of problems across a wide range of industry sectors.