Chemistry: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Chiral Organic Luminescent Radicals for Molecular Spintronics (RS846)

Funding providers: Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University and Department of Chemistry, University of Rennes  

Subject area: Chemistry 

Project start date: 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September) 

Supervisors: 

• Primary Supervisor at Swansea: Dr Emrys Evans, emrys.evans@swansea.ac.uk 
• Secondary Supervisor at Swansea: Dr Kieran Richards, k.d.richards@swansea.ac.uk 
• Primary Supervisor at Rennes: Dr Ludovic Favereau, ludovic.favereau@univ-rennes.fr 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Chemistry, Joint Degree with University of Rennes 

Mode of study: Full-time 

Project description: 
This PhD project aims to design organic pi-conjugated systems for innovative (spin-)optoelectronic applications. This 3-year joint PhD position is available between the ‘Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes’ (ISCR – UMR 6226 CNRS) and Swansea University (Department of Chemistry), in collaboration between the labs of Dr Ludovic Favereau (Rennes) and Dr Emrys Evans (Swansea). 

The design and synthesis of organic molecular materials is currently experiencing significant interest, aiming to bring about innovations in various technological fields of societal importance such as photovoltaics, displays, information transmission and storage. In this regard, the property of chirality has recently emerged as a promoting direction in materials science due to their specific interaction with circularly polarized light and the potential of the latter in optoelectronics devices (Nat. Rev. Chem. 2017). 

Favereau recently contributed to this research area by obtaining the first enantiopure chiral monoradicals displaying SOMO-HOMO inversion, affording new perspectives for the synthesis of innovative (chiral) open-shell systems (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020 and J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022). Evans has explored new spin-optical phenomena in luminescent organic radicals from magnetic, spin and optical characterization (Nature 2023, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2024). 

The PhD will combine the expertise of both groups to develop innovative chiral organic radicals and investigate their unique properties of luminescence by optical and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The joint PhD will be awarded from Swansea University and University of Rennes. It provides an exciting opportunity for interdisciplinary research enabled by collaboration that combines expertise in materials, photophysics, spin and devices. This presents an excellent opportunity for the PhD candidate to acquire scientific and soft skills valuable for academic and professional careers. The main part of the project will be devoted to the synthesis of chiral organic molecules with different electronic properties and the study of their photophysical, chiroptical and magnetic properties in solution and the solid state. 

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate with a strong background in organic synthesis. Experience / interest in photophysical properties will be an added value but is not a requirement. In addition, a strong motivation for research and good communication skills are required. 

Funding period – 3 years

Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level and a master’s degree in Chemistry or a related subject.   

English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. For further information, please see the Swansea University English Language Entry Policy. 
If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship you're interested in. 

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website.  

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with a scholarship course offer.  

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26) for 18 months at Swansea University. The other 18 months will be paid at stipend rate for University of Rennes. 

Additional research expenses of up to £1,500 will be available during the time at Swansea University. 

International Students - Fully funded if the applicant is successful in being offered a SUIPRES Scholarship as outlined below.

• Swansea University is pleased to offer the Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES). This is a competitively awarded Scholarship open to overseas PhD and Professional Doctorate applicants eligible for the international rate of tuition fees who can demonstrate excellence in academic achievement.    
• The SUIPRES Scholarship covers the difference between the International and the Home tuition fee for the duration of the PhD/Professional Doctorate programme. Successful candidates will be charged fees aligned to the UK rate per year. The scholarship will be offset against your tuition fee liability.   
• All International applications will be considered for a SUIPRES Scholarship. You will be informed whether a SUIPRES Scholarship will be offered within your offer letter.  

To apply, please complete the entire application form.

In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required. 

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS846 

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory) 

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:  

• the RS Code, RS846
• the scholarship title

• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank 
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank 
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes 
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.  

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award. 

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. 

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

• CV 

• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 

• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project. 

• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference. 

• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable). 

• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable) 

• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact  Dr Emrys Evans, emrys.evans@swansea.ac.uk 

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.