Join us
Being for undergraduate research projects, summer placements, short research visits, PhD studentships or postdoctoral research, we are always looking for talented and highly enthusiastic scientists to join our team.
Our projects involved a substantial amount of multi-step organic synthesis so the ideal candidate will have an excellent knowledge of organic chemistry and an experience in synthetic organic and/or synthetic supramolecular chemistry (commensurate with the applicant's career stage).
However, strong applicants who are able to make a convincing case as to how their backgrounds will allow them to contribute to the group's research are also invited to get in touch. We are particularly interested in candidates with a strong background in computational organic chemistry and an interest in computational mechanochemistry.
Outstanding candidates are encouraged to seek out studentship and fellowship opportunities. We will be happy to support applications for external funding.
Contact Guillaume by email for further information (including a CV and a cover letter).
Our projects involved a substantial amount of multi-step organic synthesis so the ideal candidate will have an excellent knowledge of organic chemistry and an experience in synthetic organic and/or synthetic supramolecular chemistry (commensurate with the applicant's career stage).
However, strong applicants who are able to make a convincing case as to how their backgrounds will allow them to contribute to the group's research are also invited to get in touch. We are particularly interested in candidates with a strong background in computational organic chemistry and an interest in computational mechanochemistry.
Outstanding candidates are encouraged to seek out studentship and fellowship opportunities. We will be happy to support applications for external funding.
Contact Guillaume by email for further information (including a CV and a cover letter).
Current vacancies
PhD studentships - Mechanochemistry with Mechanical Bonds - OPEN - Apply now
We have up to 3 PhD studentships available for a start in September 2025 to work on mechanochemistry with mechanical bonds.
Applicants are expected to hold, or about to obtain, a first class Master degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry. A good knowledge or organic chemistry is required, and an experience in synthetic organic chemistry and/or supramolecular chemistry is desirable.
More information here.
Applications and informal inquiries can be addressed to Prof. Guillaume De Bo (join a CV).
Applicants are expected to hold, or about to obtain, a first class Master degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry. A good knowledge or organic chemistry is required, and an experience in synthetic organic chemistry and/or supramolecular chemistry is desirable.
More information here.
Applications and informal inquiries can be addressed to Prof. Guillaume De Bo (join a CV).
PhD studentship - Molecules at a crossroads: bifurcation and dynamic effects in stretched molecules - OPEN - Apply now
We have a PhD studentships available for a start in September 2025. In this project we will explore mechanochemical transformations in which post- transition state bifurcation (PTSB) and dynamics effects intervened to generate products from multiple dissociation pathways using a combination of experimental (GDB) and theoretical (IR) tools, with the aim of sculpting new reaction pathways with force.
Applicants are expected to hold, or about to obtain, a first class Master degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry. A good knowledge of organic chemistry is required, and an experience in synthetic organic chemistry and/or computational chemistry is desirable.
More information here.
Applications and informal inquiries can be addressed to Prof. Guillaume De Bo (join a CV).
Applicants are expected to hold, or about to obtain, a first class Master degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry. A good knowledge of organic chemistry is required, and an experience in synthetic organic chemistry and/or computational chemistry is desirable.
More information here.
Applications and informal inquiries can be addressed to Prof. Guillaume De Bo (join a CV).
Other PhD studentship opportunities
President’s Doctoral Scholarship - OPEN - Apply now
The Faculty of Science and Engineering offers funding through the President’s Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Award scheme.
Awards are open to all nationalities and across all research disciplines, and will fund a 3.5 year fully funded studentship (stipend + fees).
Eligibility: hold (or be about to obtain) a first class honours undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) and ideally hold a master’s-level qualification at merit or distinction (or international equivalent). Have some research related experience. Be able to demonstrate involvement in broader activities (e.g. outreach, volunteering...).
Calls in January and March, please contact Prof. Guillaume De Bo before the end of the preceding November and January respectively.
More information here.
Informal inquiries can be addressed to Prof. Guillaume De Bo (join a CV).
Awards are open to all nationalities and across all research disciplines, and will fund a 3.5 year fully funded studentship (stipend + fees).
Eligibility: hold (or be about to obtain) a first class honours undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) and ideally hold a master’s-level qualification at merit or distinction (or international equivalent). Have some research related experience. Be able to demonstrate involvement in broader activities (e.g. outreach, volunteering...).
Calls in January and March, please contact Prof. Guillaume De Bo before the end of the preceding November and January respectively.
More information here.
Informal inquiries can be addressed to Prof. Guillaume De Bo (join a CV).
The University of Manchester-China Scholarship Council Joint Scholarship -
CLOSED for 2025 - Application accepted for the 2026 round.
The University of Manchester offer 40 scholarships for Chinese students that will cover fees and living expenses for three years, thanks to a joint scheme between the University and the China Scholarship Council (CSC).
Eligibility: hold an Upper Second class UK honours undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) from a leading Chinese university or the University of Manchester and ideally hold a master's-level qualification at merit or distinction (or international equivalent). Have a track record of engaging with research.
Call in January. Please contact Prof. Guillaume De Bo before the end of November.
Further information about eligibility/application can be found here.
Informal inquiries can be addressed to Prof. Guillaume De Bo (join a CV).
Eligibility: hold an Upper Second class UK honours undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) from a leading Chinese university or the University of Manchester and ideally hold a master's-level qualification at merit or distinction (or international equivalent). Have a track record of engaging with research.
Call in January. Please contact Prof. Guillaume De Bo before the end of November.
Further information about eligibility/application can be found here.
Informal inquiries can be addressed to Prof. Guillaume De Bo (join a CV).
Summer studentships
Undergraduate research bursaries - CLOSED for 2025
Undergraduate Research Bursaries are offered by the RSC (UoM and UK-based students) and the Department of Chemistry (UoM students) to fund undergraduate summer research placements in chemistry-related research areas.
If you wish to apply to one of these bursaries, please contact Prof. Guillaume De Bo (join a CV) before the end of January.
If you wish to apply to one of these bursaries, please contact Prof. Guillaume De Bo (join a CV) before the end of January.
Learning Through Research Internship - OPEN - Apply now - UoM students only
The Learning Through Research internships aim to improve the employability of our students through access to internships and work experience, giving them the opportunity to experience what life as a researcher or an academic would be like. The internships are to take place during the summer of 2025, for a maximum period of eight weeks.
This scheme is only available to undergraduate students from the University of Manchester.
More information on the project can be found here.
Applications can be submitted here.
This scheme is only available to undergraduate students from the University of Manchester.
More information on the project can be found here.
Applications can be submitted here.