Department of Chemistry

Student stories

We asked some of our students and graduates to share their experiences of studying chemistry at the University of Sheffield, and to tell us what they've ended up doing with their degree. Select a category to choose whether you want to read about a chemistry student's experience of their course, or learn about the career path their degree has taken them on.

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  Gareth Hartley

  Gareth spent a year of his degree studying chemistry in Australia, and is now undertaking a PhD at the University of Oxford under the supervision of the world renowned Professor Peter Bruce. He is currently developing solid-state batteries for the next generation of electric cars, and Gareth has recently been involved in the establishment of The Faraday Institution, a national research institution aimed at making the UK a world leader in electric vehicle production.

  Categorised under: Graduate careers and Student experience

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  Liam Ratcliffe

  After graduating with a PhD in polymer chemistry, Liam went on to work for a fast-moving consumer goods company as an ice-cream research scientist.

  Categorised under: Graduate careers

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  Gianne Nandra

  Gianne spent last summer on the Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) scheme – a 6-8-week project that allows undergraduate students to conduct their own research. For this, Gianne set herself the challenge of researching synthesis – a topic she had little experience in – to better prepare herself for her final year of study.

  Categorised under: Student experience

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  James Marsden

  During his second year at Sheffield, James got involved in the University’s Schools Associate Scheme, which gave him two weeks’ teaching experience in a local school. After graduating, James went on to teach at Bourne Grammar School, where he is now the Head of Chemistry.

  Categorised under: Graduate careers

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  Tristan Johnston-Wood

  Tristan spent last summer on the Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experiences (SURE) scheme – a 6-8 week project that allows undergraduate students to conduct their own research. For his project, Tristan studied how ribose – a sugar molecule found in RNA – could form on an asteroid. During the scheme, Tristan advanced his scientific writing skills, and had his eyes opened to the world of astrochemistry.

  Categorised under: Student experience

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  Charlotte Kiker

  Throughout her time at Sheffield, Charlotte has been involved with student outreach. Alongside her studies, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, she has worked as an outreach volunteer, and has helped children of all ages perform fun chemistry experiments, such as making bath bombs and liquid nitrogen ice cream.

  Categorised under: Graduate careers and Student experience

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  Soneni Ndlovu

  Soneni became a student ambassador because she wanted show the next generation of students that science is not only useful, but also great fun. She has run all kinds of experiments with pupils, ranging from making bath bombs with primary school children to helping sixth-formers synthesise and analyse paracetamol.

  Categorised under: Student experience and International student

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  Niall Ward-O'Brien

  Niall is an outreach volunteer and spends some of his time helping schoolchildren get to grips with science. He plans to use his communication skills he has learned during his time at Sheffield to move into informing government policy once his PhD is completed.

  Categorised under: Graduate careers and Student experience

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  Yumei Zhu (May)

  May completed our 3+1 joint degree programme with Nanjing Tech University, where students studied in China for the first three years of their degree, before coming to Sheffield for their final year.

  Categorised under: Graduate careers, Student experience and International student

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  Peter Phillips

  Peter worked at the multinational consumer goods company RB for his year in industry, before landing a graduate job in the organisation.

  Categorised under: Graduate careers

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  Nicholas Tsim

  Nicholas developed an interest in programming as part of his degree, and moved into software development by landing a role at a digital agency here in Sheffield.

  Categorised under: Graduate careers

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  Matthew Hensman

  Matthew did a year in industry at the multinational chemical company Scott Bader, before landing a graduate chemical industry job at Addivant.

  Categorised under: Graduate careers

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  Yichi Zhang

  Yichi Zhang completed our 3+1 joint degree programme with Nanjing Tech University, where students studied in China for the first three years of their degree, before coming to Sheffield for their final year.

  Categorised under: Graduate careers, Student experience and International student

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  Kirsty Smitten

  Kirsty decided to stay on after her undergraduate degree to do a PhD in antimicrobial resistance, working with Professor Jim Thomas.

  Categorised under: Graduate careers

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  Kieren McIlduff

  Keiren is applying the expertise he gained from his Sheffield chemistry degree to a career in pharmaceutical market research.

  Categorised under: Graduate careers