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

Find out more

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

Find out more

Astbury Conversation 2020

Step into the world of macromolecules by joining us at the Astbury Conversation on 23 and 24 March 2020

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
Astbury Conversation
Bragg centre

Scroll down

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.

More on Atmospheric and Planetary Chemistry

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.

More on Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry

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.

More on Colour and Polymer Science

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.

More on Computational Chemistry and Chemical Physics

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.

More on Crystallisation and Directed Assembly

Process Research and Development

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

More on Process Research and Development

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.