Training researchers to make data work for chemistry to tackle challenges of synthesis in the coming decades.
The CDT rEaCt is a joint venture between the Athena Swan Gold holding Department of Chemistry and the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London.
The mission of the CDT rEaCt is to educate a critical mass of researchers equipped to respond to future research challenges and opportunities created by the data-revolution. The aim is to train highly qualified researchers with the ability to collect data using automated, high-throughput reaction platforms, and to apply quantitative and statistical approaches to data analysis and utilisation.
This will be achieved by incorporating cross-disciplinary skills from engineering, as well as computing, statistics, and informatics into a chemistry graduate programme, which are largely lacking from existing doctoral training in synthetic chemistry.
The CDT assembles a multi-disciplinary team of internationally-leading researchers at Imperial College and benefits from significant strategic infrastructural and capital investment on cutting edge, state-of-the-art technology and facilities such as ROAR and the Agilent Advanced Measurement Suite.
In addition to this, the CDT aims to engage with the Centres of Excellence in the US and Europe, to deliver a unique multi-faceted training programme to improve the skills, employability and productivity of the graduates to produce well-rounded individuals who can tackle challenges of synthesis in the coming decades to equip them for future academic and industrial roles.
Our Doctoral Training Programme lasts 4 years. Students complete a structured first year building research skills and methods through a mixture of lectures, seminars, symposia, and practical sessions. Subsequently followed by 3 years of research on their independent projects.
The Programme
The first year of the 4-year programme comprises of an MRes in Advanced Molecular Synthesis.
This is structured as a standalone course, where CDT students will progress through a common academic program of lectures and workshops on three core modules aimed at underpinning the fundamentals in synthetic chemistry, engineering and statistical sciences.
Each student will also undertake a 9-month individual research project in a chosen area.
The MRes is also complimented with elective workshops such as Design of Experiments, Kinetics and the ELN systems to equip students for their PhD years.
Following the successful completion of the MRes, students will pursue their independent project in subsequent years.
Each research project will involve at least two academic supervisors with complementary expertise, and may include an additional industrial sponsor/advisor.
In addition to their projects, the PhD years will also include summer schools, additional workshops (from technical experts) and student led cohort events, along with further professional and development courses offered by the award-winning Graduate School and the Computational Methods Hub at Imperial College London.
Profile of the researcher produced by the CDT
Multidisciplinary
Competency in core topics of synthetic chemistry, engineering and data science, with interdisciplinary research expertise in at least two of these areas.
Technical proficiency
Able to make, measure and model reactions by using the latest synthesis and analytical tools, including automated reactors in combination with process/data analytical tools.
Creative and collaborative
Effective team member, able to apply creative approaches to problem-solving.
Meet our students
Find out more about our students and their research projects
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