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  • PhD scholarships in biological chemistry

    Two PhD positions are available in the laboratory of Dr Ivanhoe Leung in the areas of structural and mechanistic enzymology and biological chemistry.

    24 Mar 2021 PhD opportunities
  • ARC LIEF 2021 success for School of Chemistry Researchers

    School of Chemistry researchers had great success in the most recent round of the Australian Research Council Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) Grants, announced just before Christmas. These grants will fund an exciting expansion of our research instrumentation and capabilities.

    11 Feb 2021 News
  • School of Chemistry researchers have been awarded 8 ARC Discovery Grants

    Congratulations to Professor Spas Kolev, Dr Anastasios Polyzos, Associate Professor Alessandro Soncini, Dr Jegadesan Subbiah, Dr Georgina Such, and Professor Spencer Williams (2 grants) for being awarded ARC Discovery grants.

    30 Nov 2020 News
  • Organised chaos: The key to next-generation solar technology

    Researchers in Australia have resolved a fundamental design challenge in next-generation perovskite solar cells, bringing their widespread use a step closer

    27 Nov 2020 News
  • New drug target for sugar-coated viruses

    Many viruses – including coronaviruses ­– have a protective outer layer of proteins, fats and sugars. New research shows targeting sugar production has potential for broad-spectrum antiviral drugs

    27 Nov 2020 News
  • Dr Lars Goerigk project partner in successful Australian Data Partnerships proposal

    Congratulations to Dr Lars Goerigk who is a named project partner on a successful proposal for the Australian Data Partnerships Program run by the Australian Research Data Commons.

    27 Nov 2020 News
  • Lenka O'Connor Sraj an Award Finalist in the Australian Water Association's Victorian Water Award

    Congratulations to Lenka O’Connor Sraj from the Kolev Group for becoming an Award Finalist in the Australian Water Association’s Victorian Water Award for 2020/2021 in the Category - Student Water Prize for her research achievements on the development of flow analysis and passive sampling methods and devices for water pollution monitoring.

    26 Nov 2020 News
  • School of Chemistry Student Awards Ceremony 2020

    Watch the School of Chemistry Student Awards Ceremony 2020, where we celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students.

    13 Nov 2020 News
  • Analytica Chimica Acta Paper by Henry West and Prof Gavin Reid

    Congratulations to Henry West and Prof Gavin Reid for the publication of their paper in Analytica Chimica Acta.

    03 Nov 2020 News
  • The HIV and COVID-19 global pandemics - lessons for responding to both viruses

    The 2020 Melbourne University Chemical Society (MUCS) 33rd Lady Masson Lecture, featuring Professor Sharon Lewin AO, Director of the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection Control and Immunity. Hosted by Professor Richard O'Hair, Head of the School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, and Associate Professor Guy Jameson, President of MUCS.

    29 Oct 2020 Recorded event
  • Tough love: Intense glare helps next-gen solar tech through awkward phase

    Increasing the intensity of light beyond the typical range is a surprising method of smoothing disorder, enabling control and maximising efficiency in mixed-halide perovskites.

    22 Oct 2020 News
  • "Women in Chemistry" special issue of the Australian Journal of Chemistry

    Check out the latest “Women in Chemistry II”  special double issue of the Australian Journal of Chemistry, co-edited by A/Prof Colette Boskovic and Dr Georgina Such and featuring a foreword by Professor Emeritus Frances Separovic.

    19 Oct 2020 News
  • Prof Gavin Reid included in the Analytical Scientist Power List for 2020

    Congratulations to Professor Gavin Reid for being included in the Analytical Scientist Power List for 2020.

    15 Oct 2020 News
  • 2020 Rennie Memorial Medal awarded to Dr Lars Goerigk

    Congratulations to Dr Lars Goerigk for being awarded a 2020 Rennie Memorial Medal, the highest national prize awarded to early career researchers by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).

    15 Oct 2020 News
  • ARENA Funding Success for Dr David Jones

    Dr David Jones has received $1.29 million dollars from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency ARENA to examine self-assembled singlet fission materials to improve silicon solar cell efficiency.

    02 Oct 2020 News
  • Nanoscience Laboratory Works to Synthesise Material for COVID-19 Test Kits

    One of the key roadblocks in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the availability of reliable RNA test kits to identify people carrying the virus. Testing is essential for rapid identification and tracing of infection. While antibody tests can show which people have already been exposed at some point in the past and have developed an immune response, the RNA tests can determine whether the person is currently infected and, depending on the load of virus, how long it is since they acquired it. Australia has only a few groups currently able to manufacture these tests. A common method involves taking the fluid from a swab, lysing cells, and separating the RNA with magnetic beads. A shortage of these beads has held up the development of locally made COVID-19 tests and led to dependence on over-priced and often low-quality tests from overseas. Because of the heavy demand for these tests, supply is not assured.

    28 Jul 2020 News
  • Lars Goerigk appointed to inaugural Chemical Reviews Early Career Advisory Board

    Dr Lars Goerigk has joined the inaugural Early Career Advisory Board of Chemical Reviews as one of ten international early and mid-career researchers.

    16 Jul 2020 News
  • New publication on multiswitchable molecular materials

    Congratulations to Boskovic Group members Gemma Gransbury, Jett Janetzki and Moya Hay on the publication of their paper “Understanding the Origin of One- or Two-Step Valence Tautomeric Transitions in Bis(dioxolene)-Bridged Dinuclear Cobalt Complexes” in  J. Am. Chem. Soc.

    05 Jun 2020 News
  • Two PCCP Articles from Soncini Research Group Named HOT Papers

    Congratulations to Simone Calvello and A/Prof Alessandro Soncini, for having their paper “Effect of Magnetic Anisotropy on Direct Chiral Discrimination in Paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy " selected as a 2020 PCCP Hot Article.

    15 May 2020 News
  • Lars Goerigk named a "PCCP Emerging Investigator”

    Congratulations to Dr Lars Goerigk who published an article together with PhD student Dale Lonsdale which will appear in print in the upcoming inaugural “PCCP Emerging Investigators” themed collection in which Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics recognises select early career researchers in physical chemistry, chemical physics and biophysical chemistry.

    06 May 2020 News
  • My eyesight is weak, but my vision is strong

    PhD student Nisha Mehta was born with albinism. With support from her parents and educators she has overcome many challenges to pursue an award-winning career in chemistry

    24 Apr 2020 News
  • Professor Frances Separovic on the cover of Australian Journal of Chemistry

    School of Chemistry academic Professor Emeritus Frances Separovic is the cover star of the latest volume of the Australian Journal of Chemistry.

    12 Mar 2020 News
  • Organometallics paper by Richard O'Hair

    Which factors control transmetalation? To answer this question at the strictly molecular level, the transfer of a phenyl ring from boron to silver or to lithium in isolated ionic tetraphenylborate complexes was examined by multistage mass spectrometry and quantum chemical calculations in a joint collaboration between Richard O'Hair and Thomas Auth and Konrad Koszinowski from the University of Göttingen.

    20 Jan 2020 News
  • Seeing the power of white island firsthand

    While getting close to the awesome power of nature is a big draw for tourism, the eruption on White Island reminds us of the very real risks.

    15 Jan 2020 Pursuit
  • RACI Awards

    Congratulations to Ben Spyrou (Donnelly group) and Martin van Koeverden (Abrahams group) who were both shortlisted for the prestigious Don Stranks Award.

    10 Jan 2020 News
  • Nature Chemistry paper by Alessandro Soncini

    The paper reports the first direct observation of unpaired 4f electrons in synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments, detected in two Dy(III) complexes.

    23 Dec 2019 News
  • Nisha Mehta awarded one of India's Presidential Honours

    Nisha Mehta, PhD student in the Goerigk group, is a 2019 recipient of the Indian National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in the category “Role Model”, one of India’s Presidential honours.

    20 Dec 2019 News
  • Prizes for Natalie Uhlikova and Charles Croft

    Congratulations to Natalie Uhlikova and Charles Croft, PhD students in the Kolev group, for the prizes they were awarded at the 27th Annual RACI R&D Topics Conference in Adelaide!

    09 Dec 2019 News
  • Chris Hall awarded Asian Photochemical Association Prize

    Congratulations to Dr Chris Hall, who has been awarded the Asian Photochemical Association Prize for Young Scientist 2019, as a recognition of his work in photochemistry.

    20 Nov 2019 News
  • ARC Future Fellowship awarded to A/Prof Colette Boskovic

    The Australian Research Council awards the Future Fellowships for excellent mid-career researchers to undertake high-quality research in areas of national and international benefit.

    20 Nov 2019 News
  • Faculty of Science awarded 8 DECRAs

    The Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) scheme provides focused research support for early career researchers in both teaching and research, and research-only positions. It supports research in areas of critical national importance by enabling outstanding Australian and international early career researchers to conduct their research in Australia.

    15 Nov 2019 News
  • Frances Separovic setting sail to Antarctica

    For the last 12 months, participants hailing from all corners of the globe have undergone an intensive leadership training program for women with a background in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine), as they prepare for the fourth iteration of the Homeward Bound voyage.

    14 Nov 2019 News
  • Graduate Research Pathway for Chemistry

    Are you ready for a career in research? Our Graduate Research Pathway guarantees you a place with us from masters through to your PhD.

    12 Nov 2019 News
  • The man who built a whole new field of chemistry

    In the 90s, Professor Richard Robson created a new class of coordination polymers, and his models inspired an entirely new field of chemistry.

    25 Oct 2019 News
  • PhD Positions in Exciton Science

    Exciton Science is continuously offering opportunities to work and study within the Centre. click through for open Postdoctoral Research Fellow and PhD scholarship positions.

    09 Oct 2019 phd opportunities
  • Poster Prize for Amy Hancock

    Amy Hancock, Masters student in the Goerigk research group, won a poster prize for her poster “Assessing Noncovalent Interactions in Electronic Excited States” at this year’s conference of the Asian Pacific Association for Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (APATCC) in Sydney.

    04 Oct 2019 News
  • Women in Chemistry Science Week Panel Discussion

    Five women at different career stages gave valuable insights into studying and working in the School of Chemistry.

    19 Aug 2019 News
  • Modelling Cobalt(II)-Radical Systems

    Congratulations to Boskovic Group PhD student Gemma Gransbury on the publication of her paper “Single-ion anisotropy and exchange coupling in cobalt(II)-radical complexes: insights from magnetic and ab initio studies” in Chemical Science.

    14 Aug 2019 News
  • Poster Award for Dale Lonsdale

    Congratulations to PhD student Dale Lonsdale from the Goerigk Group for winning one of the poster awards at DFT2019 in Alicante, Spain.

    09 Aug 2019 News
  • School of Chemistry Summer Research Project, Germany

    The School of Chemistry and the Chemistry Institute at Humboldt University of Berlin are offering third year students the opportunity to complete the research component of the Chemical Research Project CHEM30013 in Germany over 8 weeks between December 2019 and February 2020 whilst experiencing the German culture and a Winter lifestyle.

    01 Aug 2019 News
  • Novel liquid crystalline singlet-fission materials described

    PhD student Saghar Massomi-Godarzi (Jones Group) has described new intra-molecular singlet fission materials in Advanced Energy Materials.

    22 Jul 2019 News
  • Srinivas Mettu awarded Gates Foundation Grant to develop gut-like bioreactor

    A Global Grand Challenges grant has been awarded to the University of Melbourne and the City University of Hong Kong to develop a new, low-cost bioreactor system.

    20 Jun 2019 News
  • Bosirul Hoque wins best oral presentation at MST2019

    Bosirul Hoque from the Kolev Group has won the best oral presentation award at the 14th International Conference on Membrane Science and Technology (MST2019, June 13-14) in Singapore.

    18 Jun 2019 News
  • Where can STEM take me?

    Like most things in life, careers don’t always have a clear and straightforward path. Hear the career stories of the Faculty of Science's Frances Separovic and Theresa Jones. You just never really know what you are capable of, and sometimes you have to follow your nose and just take the opportunities as they happen.

    17 Jun 2019 News
  • Alison Harcourt and Frances Separovic named as Officers of the Order of Australia

    Two Faculty of Science academics received AOs in the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours list for distinguished service.

    11 Jun 2019 News
  • New concept for the design of metal-organic framework (MOF) catalysts

    In a long running collaboration with Prof. Vlasta Bonačić-Koutecký (University of Split), Richard O’Hair has published a new study which made the cover of ChemCatChem.

    30 May 2019 News
  • ‘Evolution Nailed It’ Seed Funding Competition

    The BioInspiration Seed Funding Competition is designed to have teams develop creative, nature-inspired solutions to global/ practical/ human technological and design challenges.

    06 May 2019 News
  • Funding success for research collaboration between Australia and China

    Professor Paul Mulvaney will lead a project to develop flexible graphene electronics after successfully receiving funding from the Australia-China Science Research Fund (ACSRF).

    16 Apr 2019 News
  • Gemma Gransbury wins 1st place poster prize at Chemical Communications Symposium

    Gemma Gransbury has won 1st place in the poster prize at the Chemical Communications "Chemistry for Global Challenges" Symposium at RMIT.

    11 Apr 2019 News
  • International Women's Day in the School of Chemistry

    The School of Chemistry celebrated International Women's Day with a lunch time forum.

    15 Mar 2019 News
  • Nisha Mehta wins two poster prizes

    Nisha Mehta from the Goerigk group has been awarded two prizes at the 2019 RSC Twitter Poster Conference.

    13 Mar 2019 News
  • New research publications in the Journal of Materials Chemistry by Calvin Lee

    Calvin Lee has had his latest paper published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A and featured as a Hot Paper.

    01 Mar 2019 News
  • Dr Lars Goerigk receives the Le Fèvre Medal from the Australian Academy of Science

    Dr Goerigk was awarded for his work in Density Functional Theory and his guidelines in computational strategies.

    28 Feb 2019 News
  • Motor neurone disease breakthrough: Patient trial shows impressive clinical results

    A new drug delays motor neurone disease progression and improves cognitive and clinical symptoms according to trial results announced by a spin-out company from the Florey and University of Melbourne.

    11 Jan 2019 News
  • Congratulations to Lenka O'Connor Sraj

    Congratulations to Lenka O'Connor Sraj from Kolev Research Group for being awarded the fist prize for oral presentation at the annual R & D Topics Conference in Canberra organized by the Analytical and Environmental Chemistry Division of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

    09 Jan 2019 News
  • 2018 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research

    Congratulations to Dr Lars Goerigk for having been awarded the 2018 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research (ECR) for his recent contributions to the field of Density Functional Theory.

    17 Dec 2018 News
  • EPR Workshop

    The School of Chemistry would like to express a hearty thanks to Wilsmore Fellow Dr Nick Chilton from the University of Manchester, for the brilliant EPR workshop that he ran this week.

    13 Dec 2018 News
  • School of Chemistry Researchers Awarded 3 Discovery Project Grants

    Congratulations to Associate Professor Colette Boskovic, Associate Professor Craig Hutton, and Professor Gavin Reid for each successfully obtaining an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project grant. Together they have received over $1.25 million, contributing to the Faculty of Science’s total of nearly $9.75 million.

    04 Dec 2018 News
  • Exploring active site coordination geometry through enzymes and small molecule models

    In a long running collaboration with Prof. David Goldberg (Johns Hopkins University), the Jameson lab, including PhD candidates Josh Prendergast and Zahra Shirani-Sarmazeh, have published a new study in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

    29 Nov 2018 News
  • The Australian names School of Chemistry mid-career researchers as up-and-coming leaders in their respective fields

    Based on a big-data analysis of publications and citations by League of Scholars, the most recent edition of The Australian’s Research Magazine named the following researchers of The School of Chemistry as young up-and-coming Australian leaders in their respective fields:- Dr Lars Goerigk in “Molecular Modeling”- Dr Marc-Antoine Sani (Separovic group at Bio21) in “Biophysics”

    01 Oct 2018 News
  • Successful Papers on Density Functional Theory

    Congratulations to the Goerigk group who published a front-cover article in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (PCCP), which also got selected for PCCP’s themed collection of “2018 hot articles” [1]. The paper addresses the every-growing and confusing “zoo" of double-hybrid density functional theory (DFT) methods.

    24 Sep 2018 News
  • New materials for multiple exciton generation (MEG)

    In a paper published today in Advanced Energy Materials PhD student Saghar Masoomi‐Godarzi (Jones Group) describes a new class of materials that promote intra-molecular Singlet Fission. This process, which takes high energy photons and creates two low energy photons, has been demonstrated in new advanced organic semiconductor materials where the two excitons are hosted on the same molecule. Theory suggests that the maximum efficiency of solar cells can be increased from 32% to around 45% by incorporating SF materials.

    21 Sep 2018 News
  • Coordination Chemistry in Australia – Special issue of Coordination Chemistry Reviews

    University of Melbourne coordination chemists Paul Donnelly and Colette Boskovic were recently invited to contribute articles to a special issue of Coordination Chemistry Reviews celebrating Coordination Chemistry in Australia.

    13 Sep 2018 News
  • Molecular Exhibition in the Chemistry Building

    Alice O’Rourke (University of Birmingham), the 2018 International Museums & Collections Award winner, has just completed a new themed exhibition on the ground floor of the Chemistry Building.

    10 Sep 2018 News
  • PhD student Gemma Gransbury wins a poster prize at the International Conference on Molecule-based Magnets

    Congratulations to PhD student Gemma Gransbury on winning a poster prize at the International Conference on Molecule-based Magnets (ICMM2018) in Rio de Janeiro.

    07 Sep 2018 News
  • Humboldt Exchange Program: First Students Arrive

    This week, the School of Chemistry welcomed three students from Humboldt University (HU), Berlin, as part of the exchange program recently established by Associate Professor Uta Wille.

    04 Sep 2018 News
  • School of Chemistry's Student Awards Night

    The School of Chemistry celebrated its annual Student Awards evening on 15th August to celebrate the achievements of our outstanding students of 2017.

    31 Aug 2018 News
  • AINSE Postgraduate Research and Travel Awards for Maja Dunstan

    Congratulations to Boskovic Group PhD student Maja Dunstan, who has received an Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) Postgraduate Research Award.

    27 Aug 2018 News
  • Women in Chemistry panel

    Academic staff and graduate researchers from the School of Chemistry engaged in spirited discussions at the Women in Chemistry panel discussion as part of the Science Festival.

    21 Aug 2018 News
  • Lenka O'Connor Sraj receives SETAC travel award

    Kolev Group PhD student Lenka O'Connor Sraj has received a travel award of US$400 from the SETAC (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry) North America Awards and Fellowship Committee.

    21 Aug 2018 News
  • Dr Milena Czyz joins School of Chemistry

    Dr Czyz has joined the School of Chemistry as part of the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre (Chemical Industries) within the Polyzos Group. She is a synthetic organic chemist and will lead industry engagement in photoredox catalysis and flow chemistry.

    21 Aug 2018 News
  • Ritchie Group Research in J.A.C.S

    Dr Chris Ritchie and colleagues have published a paper on a new class of self-assembled molecules for advanced materials.

    09 Aug 2018 News
  • X-Ray Diffraction Facility installs new cutting edge machine

    Crystallographers at the University of Melbourne received a boost following the installation of a state-of-the-art small molecule X-ray diffraction (XRD) machine.

    12 Jul 2018 News
  • RACI Postgraduate Travel Award for Gemma Gransbury

    Congratulations to Boskovic Group PhD student Gemma Gransbury, who has just received an Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Postgraduate Travel Bursary.

    03 Jul 2018 News
  • Prof Richard O'Hair published in ChemComm

    A recent article featuring Professor Richard O'Hair has been published in ChemComm (Chemical Communications).

    02 May 2018 News
  • Ammonia passive sampler research published on Elsevier Chemistry page

    Congratulations to Lenka O’Connor Šraj, Dr Inês Almeida, Chelsea Bassett, Associate Professor Ian McKelvie, and Professor Spas Kolev for the publication of a news story on the their research on the Elsevier Chemistry page.

    20 Apr 2018 News
  • Aiden Atkin awarded AINSE Honours Scholarship

    Congratulations to Boskovic Group MSc student Aiden Atkin on the award of an Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) Honours Scholarship for his project “Inelastic Neutron Scattering of Lanthanoid Complexes”.

    05 Apr 2018 News
  • School of Chemistry Summer Research Project, Germany

    The School of Chemistry and the Chemistry Institute at Humboldt University of Berlin are offering third year students the opportunity to complete the research component of the Chemical Research Project CHEM30013 in Germany over 8 weeks between December 2018 and February 2019 whilst experiencing the German culture and a Winter lifestyle.

    26 Mar 2018 News
  • Dr Tessa Young awarded Durham International Junior Research Fellowship

    Congratulations to Dr Tessa Young, a recent PhD graduate from Tony Wedd’s lab, who has been awarded a Durham International Junior Research Fellowship (Durham University, UK).

    21 Mar 2018 News
  • Jameson Lab bounce back

    In a long running collaboration with Prof. David Goldberg (Johns Hopkins University), the Jameson group, including PhD candidate Josh Prendergast, have published a new study in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. This investigation is part of a joint NIH grant.

    16 Mar 2018 News
  • International Women’s Day in the School of Chemistry

    Former University of Melbourne student, Professor Christine McKenzie (University of Southern Denmark), inspired women early career researchers at the School of Chemistry’s Inaugural International Women’s Day networking lunch.

    14 Mar 2018 News
  • Polyoxometalate research featured in New Journal of Chemistry

    A recent article published by Dr Chris Ritchie and PhD student Hedi Karoui detailing the microwave-assisted synthesis, characterization and post-synthetic modification of a series of polyoxometalates has been featured on the front cover of RSC journal New Journal of Chemistry.

    10 Jan 2018 News

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The School of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne is one of Australia's leading research centres in the chemical sciences.

  • Research areas, groups and centres

    We have more than 30 different groups conducting research in a range of multidisciplinary areas, in addition to hosting several Centres of Excellence.

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  • Graduate Research

    We have an excellent international reputation in research with an ongoing program to keep our facilities at world standard and our efforts focussed.

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  • Industry & grants

    We receive funding and grants from Government and Industry. We also host a number of Research Fellows who benefit from our first class facilities and vibrant community.

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    We offer access to a wide range of modern research instruments and facilities.

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Our Graduates go on to do amazing things…
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    Courses available in the area of Chemical Sciences include Bachelor Degrees, Diplomas & Certificates, Masters / Doctors by Coursework and PhDMasters / Doctors by Research.

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    General information for undergraduate, fourth year, and graduate researchers, including course outline, services and scholarships, as well as careers in the field.

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  • Graduate research

    The School of Chemistry has an excellent international reputation in research with an ongoing program to keep our facilities at world standard and our efforts focused.

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  • Awards, prizes and scholarships

    A range of scholarships, awards and prizes are on offer to support students and research.

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The School has strong links to the community through various programs, collections, regular events and publications.

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    MUCS runs a public lecture series that encompasses all aspects of chemistry.

  • Chemistry Cultural Collection

    We host a unique collection of historical artefacts and information related to Chemistry in Victoria.

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    Read about our fantastic graduates and find out about upcoming alumni events.

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    Professional development for Secondary School teachers, run in conjunction with the Chemistry Education Association, CEA.

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    We have strong links with the Royal Australian Chemistry Institute (RACI).

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    The story of four decades in the School, Chemistry@Melbourne, and an account of the first 1000 meetings of MUCS From Chalk and Talk to Powerpoint, written by Dr Valda McRae.

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    We gratefully acknowledge and thank the benefactors partnering with us to advance research and scholarship of the highest level.

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School of Chemistry Seminar Programs

  • Inorganic & analytical seminars

    A specialist program discussing research fronts in Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry…

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  • Organic & biological chemistry seminars

    A specialist program discussing research fronts in Organic and Biological Chemistry…

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    A specialist program discussing research fronts in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry…

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  • Melbourne University Chemical Society Program

    The Melbourne University Chemical Society (MUCS) runs a public lecture series that encompasses all aspects of chemistry.

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Our staff consists of teaching and research academics and research only staff, supported by technical and administrative personnel.

Email addresses for staff in the School can also be found in the University's email directory.

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    A listing of academic staff in the School of Chemistry

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  • Professional staff

    A listing of professional staff working in the School of Chemistry

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Head of School's Welcome

Photo of Richard O'Hair
Richard O'Hair - Head, School of Chemistry

The School of Chemistry is a department of the Faculty of Science and one of the largest and oldest in Australia with a distinguished history in teaching and research.

The first lectures in chemistry in The University of Melbourne were given in 1856, only three years after the University was founded. Further information about our history is available. Since then the School has grown with over 3000 undergraduates enrolled in Chemistry subjects and more than 120 research higher degree students. The School is home to 26 continuing teaching & research staff and over 40 research only and 20 professional staff.

The School has an excellent international reputation in research and success in external research funding. There is an ongoing program to keep research facilities at world standard, which has involved progressive upgrading of the School's laboratories and instrumentation and recruitment of academics with a strong research profile.

The School of Chemistry is a key participant in Bio21, a major world-class biotechnology initiative in Victoria. New purpose-built research laboratories are located in the Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science & Biotechnology building and the Chemistry building which has undergone major refurbishments. These exciting developments provide excellent facilities for researchers in a dynamic interdisciplinary environment.

We invite you to browse our website and welcome inquiries from students interested in pursuing studies in our undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Richard O'Hair
Head, School of Chemistry

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