Digital & Analysis
Characterising complex chemical mixtures and selective molecule detection.
Department of Chemistry research
Our research spans from fundamental chemistry to applications in catalysis, materials, healthcare and sustainable chemical technologies.
Our Research Areas
Research in the Department of Chemistry is organised into five research themes.
Environment and Health
Investigating and improving our environment and healthcare
Materials & Interfaces
Designing and producing novel materials.
Synthesis & Catalysis
Studying all aspects of chemical reactions.
Impact from our Research Excellence
99% of our submitted research activity was ranked as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021). Learn more about how our research helps to shape a better future .
Bath professor named Honorary Fellow of the Chinese Chemical Society
Professor Tony James has been recognised for his world-leading research by the Chinese Chemical Society (2025).
Bath researchers join £6.7M programme to tackle global health challenges
Two early career researchers at Bath have been awarded funding as part of the Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard programme.
Breakthrough offers endless recycling for acrylic plastics without the environmental cost
A new method for chemically recycling acrylic uses less energy and non-toxic solvents without reducing quality, so plastics can be recycled again and again.
New technology could use sunlight to break down ‘forever chemicals’
Scientists at Bath have developed a new photocatalyst that uses sunlight to degrade PFAS, a group of chemicals that don't break down naturally.
Scientists discover key to solving an 80-year-old chemistry puzzle
Molecular 'reshuffle' could be a game-changer for fine chemical processes used in wide applications from drug manufacture to advanced materials.
Prescribing fewer antibiotics might not be enough to combat threat of “superbugs”, says new research
Scientists at Bath have found that despite fewer antibiotics being used during lockdown, antimicrobial resistance still persisted in the environment.
Our Research Centre
In our interdisciplinary research centre we work towards a sustainable future.
Our Contribution to other Research Centres
We also support research in faculty- and university-wide interdisciplinary research centres.
Centre for Drug Discovery
Developing the technologies that accelerate next-generation drug discovery.
Centre of Excellence in Water-Based Early-Warning Systems for Health Protection
We’re working to transform public and environmental health management, developing a nationwide early warning system for diseases using water-based systems.
Doctoral Training
We provide a thriving environment for PhD researchers. We host and are partners of several centres for doctoral training across the chemical sciences. Find out more from other students.
Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Chemical Technologies
Doctoral training programme which places fundamental concepts of sustainability at the core of research, training and outreach in applied chemical sciences.
Doctoral College
We support and enrich the experience of our doctoral researchers and play a key role in developing policy and strategy relevant to doctoral study.
NERC Centre for Doctoral Training in Real-Time Digital Water-Based Systems (RED-ALERT CDT)
RED-ALERT CDT's will train a new generation of leaders to transform how we manage aquatic environmental health via Real-Time Digital Water-Based Systems.
Join us
Apply now for one of our academic positions.
Research Consortium
Find out more about research consortia in which we participate.
Major Grants
Find out more about some of our major research grants.
Our Spin out and Start Up Companies
Find out more about our spin out and start up companies, which resulted from commercialising our research.
Department of Chemistry
We offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses and have a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and innovation.