Research Studentships

Project Title:

Metal - Organic Frameworks for Carbon and Water Capture

Project Description:

In their influential analysis of global chemical challenges, Scholl and Lively¹ highlighted the urgent need for improved technologies for greenhouse gas removal from dilute emissions. Metal - Organic Frameworks (MOFs) represent a leading class of materials in this regard due to their high pore volumes, structural tunability, and diverse interaction potentials with gas molecules. While many MOFs exhibit excellent CO₂ sorption behaviour in laboratory conditions, their practical implementation presents unresolved challenges, including performance stability, cooperative adsorption dynamics, and a limited real-time understanding of structural changes during gas uptake.

This project will focus on the design, synthesis, and crystallographic characterisation of new MOFs targeting efficient and selective CO₂ capture. Particular emphasis will be placed on materials that undergo responsive structural changes - such as breathing, gate opening, or induced-fit transformations - upon guest inclusion. Through rational ligand design and controlled assembly of metal secondary building units, this work will explore how pore shape, chemical functionality, framework flexibility, and open metal sites contribute to enhanced CO₂ affinity while maintaining reversibility and cyclic stability.

Single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction experiments will be performed under gas pressure to directly observe host-guest interactions and framework transformations during adsorption. Complementary sorption, calorimetry, and gravimetric studies will quantify uptake capacities, hysteresis effects, sorption thermodynamics, and competitive selectivity. Although the primary focus will be on CO₂, the influence of water on adsorption behaviour - especially in materials with sites that also interact with H₂O - will be assessed as a secondary parameter, reflecting the realities of industrial flue gas and ambient capture scenarios.

[1] D. S. Scholl and R. P. Lively, Nature 2016, 532, 435.

Funding Notes:

This is a fully funded studentship for 3.5 years, applicable to Home applicants only. It covers all fees and provides an annual stipend of £20,780 paid in monthly instalments. Opportunities for collaboration and/or conference attendance are also available and will be supported and encouraged.

How to Apply

To make an application please email LBarbour@lincoln.ac.uk, providing a copy of your CV and a supporting statement outlining how your expertise and interests are relevant to the project.

Applications will be considered as they are received and remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

For enquiries about the project please contact Professor Len Barbour (LBarbour@lincoln.ac.uk) and Dr Gareth Lloyd (glloyd@lincoln.ac.uk).

Project Title:

Porous Macrocycles and Cage Compounds for Gas Separation

Project Description:

The selective separation of industrially relevant gases such as CO₂, CH₄, light hydrocarbons, and volatile industrial feedstocks relies on the discovery of new materials with finely controlled pore geometries and dynamic host–guest interactions. While extended frameworks such as zeolites and MOFs dominate the current research landscape, recent findings have demonstrated that discrete molecules (including macrocycles, metallocycles, molecular cages, and other shape-persistent hosts) can also form crystals capable of impressive porosity and gas uptake despite lacking conventional extended channels. These "porous molecular crystals" represent an exciting frontier for exploratory gas separation studies.

This project will investigate the synthesis, structural characterisation, and adsorption properties of new rigid macrocycles, cavitands, and cage-like molecules designed to pack inefficiently in the solid state, thereby generating accessible voids. The intrinsic molecular geometry of such species can produce guest-accessible cavities, narrow diffusion pathways, or transient porosity arising from host reorganisation or solid-state dynamics. Unlike extended frameworks, these systems offer exceptional opportunities for correlating molecular design features directly with emergent bulk porosity.

The student will synthesise a family of macrocyclic and cage compounds, optimise crystallisation conditions, and perform host–guest studies using single-crystal X-ray diffraction under controlled gas atmospheres. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding gas diffusion mechanisms, the impact of conformational rigidity or flexibility, and the possibility of reversible structural transformations upon sorption. Complementary sorption analysis, thermogravimetric methods, and calorimetry will provide complete adsorption profiles, selectivity data, and insight into sorption energetics.

This exploratory research will deepen our understanding of how discrete molecular species give rise to porosity in the solid state, with the long-term aim of developing new molecular crystal platforms for gas separation processes that complement – rather than compete with – conventional MOFs and extended frameworks.

Funding Notes:

This is a fully funded studentship for 3.5 years, applicable to Home applicants only. It covers all fees and provides an annual stipend of £20,780 paid in monthly instalments. Opportunities for collaboration and/or conference attendance are also available and will be supported and encouraged.

How to Apply

To make an application please email LBarbour@lincoln.ac.uk, providing a copy of your CV and a supporting statement outlining how your expertise and interests are relevant to the project.

Applications will be considered as they are received and remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

For enquiries about the project please contact Professor Len Barbour (LBarbour@lincoln.ac.uk) and Dr Gareth Lloyd (glloyd@lincoln.ac.uk).

Project Title:

Solid Solutions towards Design and Analysis of Flexible Molecular Crystals

Project Description:

Crystals are typically mechanically brittle; they readily shatter or cleave into smaller fragments with little sign of elastic or plastic deformation. However, a growing number of molecular crystals have recently been observed to exhibit elastic or plastic flexibility rather than brittleness, prompting intense research into their potential applications.[1] Despite this progress, a gap remains between these observations of flexibility and the theoretical understanding of why certain molecular crystals can or should deform (through bending, twisting, expansion, or compression). Although recent efforts have aimed to standardise analysis and enable the fitting of molecular models, it is clear that significant scope remains for deeper insight to support the design and application of such materials. Relevant applications include formulation science, the pharmaceutical industry, electronics (including flexible electronics), light-guiding components, monochromators, and technologies where crystalline responses to stimuli such as light, heat, or guest inclusion in porous materials are essential.[2]

Typical characterisation involves deforming crystals using three-point bending or tensile tests, yet these methods rarely produce clear, complete stress-strain relationships for all relevant crystallographic directions. Because crystals are anisotropic, understanding mechanical properties along key directions is essential for uncovering the molecular origins of their behaviour. Under this Leverhulme Trust–sponsored project, the design and construction of novel apparatus (a "flexometer") will enable direct connection between mechanical response and the crystallographic insights provided by the underlying crystal structure.

The project will therefore encompass the design and characterisation of molecular materials, with an emphasis on creating solid solutions to tune mechanical behaviour. This includes crystal structure determination and mechanical analysis in relation to crystal morphology. The approach will be benchmarked against known materials, enabling the design of new systems and the modulation of properties of interest, including elasticity, optical behaviour, and host-guest chemistry.

[1] Elastically flexible molecular crystals, A. J. Thompson, A. I. Chamorro Orue, A. J. Nair, J. R. Price, J. McMurtrie, J. K. Clegg, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2021, 50, 11725, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CS00469G

[2] Inflatable porous organic crystals, A. I. Vicatos, L. Loots, G. Mathada, J. Drweska, A, M. Janiak, L. J. Barbour, Nat. Mater., 2025, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-025-02393-6

Funding Notes:

This is a fully funded studentship for 3.5 years, applicable to Home applicants only. It covers all fees and provides an annual stipend of £20,780 paid in monthly instalments. Opportunities for collaboration and/or conference attendance are also available and will be supported and encouraged.

How to Apply

To make an application please email LBarbour@lincoln.ac.uk, providing a copy of your CV and a supporting statement outlining how your expertise and interests are relevant to the project.

Applications will be considered as they are received and remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

For enquiries about the project please contact Professor Len Barbour (LBarbour@lincoln.ac.uk) and Dr Gareth Lloyd (glloyd@lincoln.ac.uk).

AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) studentship – Reconnecting museum collections with ecological knowledge in East Africa, 1870-1930 with the British Museum and the University of Lincoln

Start date: 01 October 2026

Application Deadline: 13 May 2026

Interviews will take place on 1 June 2026

The British Museum and the University of Lincoln are pleased to announce the availability of a fully funded Collaborative doctoral studentship from October 2026 under the AHRC's Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships (CDP) scheme.

This project will investigate ecological knowledge (reciprocal relationships between people and the environment and knowledge about nature and ecosytems) through material culture from East Africa that is cared for by the British Museum.

This project will be jointly supervised by Dr Zoe Cormack (Curator for Africa, Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, British Museum) and Dr Rose Taylor (Curator for North America, Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, British Museum) and Dr Sarah Longair (Associate Professor in the History of Empire at the University of Lincoln)and Dr Tom Bishop (Senior Lecturer in American and Environmental History at the University of Lincoln) and the student will be expected to spend time at both the University of Lincoln and the British Museum, as well as becoming part of the wider cohort of CDP funded students across the UK. This student will undertake fieldwork in East Africa as part of this project.

• The studentship can be studied either full or part-time
• We encourage applications from a diverse range of people, from different backgrounds and career stages
• Students should have a Masters Degree in a relevant subject or demonstrate relevant equivalent experience
• The studentship is open to both home and international applicants.

Project Overview

This project investigates how museum collections can reveal histories of human and non-human relationships in East Africa with a likely focus on Kenya. It focuses on cultural material collected between 1870 and 1930, now cared for by the British Museum. At the centre of this study will be objects made with feathers, skins and tusks, including spectacular headdresses, cloaks and ornaments. These materials are important because they have historically been used to create striking and symbolically important objects, such as ceremonial headdresses, cloaks and wrist bands, which provide rich sources for exploring ecological knowledge, as they embody material, symbolic and spiritual relationships between people and the more-than-human. They were also used in the making of less spectacular but nonetheless essential objects (e.g. spears and arrows) which offer further insights into quotidian ecological histories. These objects were assembled during a period of European colonisation that profoundly altered +African environments. Many of these cultural belongings preserve forms of ecological and material knowledge that have since been disrupted by colonial policies, environmental change and urbanisation. The material culture study will be augmented by critical revaluation of an extensive archival record to reveal and challenge colonial biases of museum records and further deepened through oral history interviews with knowledge holders in East Africa.

The research will establish how materials such as feathers, skins and tusks were used in East African material culture collected between 1870 and 1930, and why, and what processes of making were involved. It will explore what collections reveal about human/non-human interactions in East Africa in the colonial period, and how these relationships were shaped or obscured by colonial collecting practice. It will ask how East African communities understand the changing use of these materials and objects and what this can tell us about changing ecological relationships in the era of climate crisis. Archival research and collaboration with East African communities will reinsert this ecological information into the histories of the objects, using oral history to document living knowledge before it is lost.

By reappraising collections hitherto considered 'ethnographic' as repositories of ecological knowledge, the project will contribute to wider debates on colonial ecologies, indigenous knowledge systems and the legacies of empire. It will demonstrate how museum collections can inform new dialogues about environmental change and sustainability.

The findings will support the British Museum’s forthcoming redisplays for the Masterplan, where the complexity of human relationships with the natural world will be a central theme, and will model new ways for museums to connect historic collections with contemporary environmental challenges. The student will share the project’s methodology with British Museum colleagues and beyond, demonstrating the potential of ‘ethnographic’ collections for environmental history. We will be working with stakeholders in East Africa throughout. The research will set a benchmark for understanding ecological knowledge in museum collections in 2026-30, offering a critical resource for future scholars addressing climate and environmental challenges.

There is scope for the student to shape the project, depending on their interests and expertise. They may direct the research focus towards specific regions, communities, and determine the balance of focus on material type. They can also shape the methodology and deployment of approaches, combining archival research, oral history, participatory research and photo-elicitation. The collection can be searched online at Collection | British Museum.

Research questions include:

1. How were feathers, skins and tusks used in East African material culture collected between 1870 and 1930, and why? What processes of making were involved?
2. What do collections reveal about human/non-human interactions in East Africa in the colonial period, and how were these relationships shaped or obscured by colonial collecting practice?
3. How do East African communities understand the changing use of these materials and objects? What can this tell us about changing ecological relationships in the era of climate crisis?

Research with the British Museum

This research studentship is one allocated to the British Museum by the AHRC. The successful student will be expected to spend time carrying out research and gaining relevant experience with the partner in the British Museum in London as part of the studentship. The successful candidate will be expected to undertake qualitative research in East Africa (Kenya or a neighbouring country) as part of this studentship. They will be supported by the supervisory team to develop this aspect of the project.

Details of Award

CDP doctoral training grants fund full-time studentships for 4 years or part-time equivalent up to a maximum of 8 years.

The award pays tuition fees up to the value of the full-time home fee. Research Councils UK Indicative Fee Level is £5,238* Students with an ‘overseas’ fee status are welcome to apply but will need to cover the difference between the UK and overseas fees rate [overseas fees rate: £16,900 so a difference of £11,662 to be covered each year] and will be required to reside in the UK until completion of the PhD.

The award pays an annual stipend for all students, both home and international students. This stipend is tax free, and is the equivalent of an annual salary, enabling the student to pay living costs. The total stipend will be £23,405 a year (made up of three parts: the UKRI Minimum Doctoral Stipend of £21,805 plus an allowance of £1000/year as the CDP award holder, the British Museum, is based in London and the CDP maintenance payment of £600 per year).

Further details can be found on the UKRI website

The successful candidate is eligible to receive an additional travel and related expenses grant during the course of the project courtesy of the British Museum worth up to £1500 per year for 4 years.

The successful candidate will be encouraged to participate in professional development events and activities organised for all Collaborative Doctoral Partnership students who are registered with different universities and studying with cultural and heritage organisations across the UK. These activities are organised by a coordination team based at the V&A and are designed to provide CDP researchers with the knowledge, networks and skills to thrive in their future careers.

Eligibility

• This studentship is open to both Home and International applicants.
• To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
  • Be a UK or Irish National (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have settled status, or
  • Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have indefinite leave to remain or enter
• The latest revision of the AHRC Training Grant Funding Guide is available.
• International students are eligible to receive the full award for maintenance as are home students. They will need to pay themselves the difference between what the AHRC provide to the university for tuition and the charge made by the university for tuition fees for international students studying for a doctoral degree in history. This for 2026/27 is £11,662 to cover the difference.
• We want to encourage the widest range of potential students to study for a CDP studentship and are committed to welcoming students from different backgrounds to apply. We particularly welcome applications from people of Global Majority backgrounds as they are currently underrepresented at this level in this area.
• Applicants should ideally have or expect to receive a relevant Masters-level qualification in a relevant subject such as History, Archaeology, Anthropology, Art History, Environmental Management or closely related subjects, or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience in a professional setting such as a museum, gallery, heritage site or environmental agency or charity.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate an interest in the museum and environmental sectors and potential and enthusiasm for developing skills more widely in related areas.
• As a collaborative award, students will be expected to spend time at both the University and the British Museum in addition to a period of fieldwork.

NB. All applicants must meet UKRI terms and conditions for funding.

Project details and how to apply

To apply for this position, please send your CV, cover letter and a sample academic writing to COHSstudentships@lincoln.ac.uk with the subject heading “Reconnecting Ecological Knowledge CDP Studentship Application”. We ask all applicants to complete a voluntary EDI monitoring form. All responses to the EDI monitoring form are anonymous.

Your cover letter should provide: (1) information on how your qualifications and experience are suitable to work on the Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship for ‘Reconnecting Ecological Knowledge’; (2) an outline of how you might approach and develop this doctoral project during your four years of study (full-time) or eight years (part-time); and (3) the details for two academic references who will be contacted if you are invited to interview.

The sample of your own academic writing may be an essay of around 2,000 words, a dissertation, or an equivalent piece of work on a topic related to the themes of the studentship.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Zoe Cormack (zcormack@britishmuseum.org) or Dr Sarah Longair (slongair@lincoln.ac.uk) if they have any questions.

All CDP projects are part of a nationwide programme called the Collaborative Doctoral Partnership consortium. The CDP consortium will host an online webinar for prospective applicants on 13 April 2026 at 11:00. These webinars will provide an overview of the CDP funding scheme.

To sign up for a webinar, please email cdp@vam.ac.uk with the subject line “Prospective Applicant Webinar” from the email address you would like to join the online meeting from. Sign up will close on 10 April 2026 at 17:00.

Please note, the webinars will not focus on individual projects.

Why Lincoln?

Choosing Lincoln means joining a welcoming, student-focused university in one of the UK’s most historic and beautiful cities. With its stunning cathedral, medieval castle, and vibrant cultural life, the city offers a unique setting that combines heritage with a modern university experience.

Our city is known for its friendly atmosphere, compact and walkable centre, and affordable cost of living — ideal for focused academic work and a rich personal experience. You’ll also find good transport links to London and other major cities.

About the School

The School of Social and Political Sciences is home to a dynamic community of researchers and academics. Our areas of expertise include:

• Political science and political theory
• International relations and security studies
• Populism, nationalism, and authoritarianism
• Strategic communications (propaganda, public diplomacy, and soft power)
• Counterterrorism
• Sociology and social policy
• Criminology and criminal justice
• Gender studies, race and ethnicity
• Public policy and governance
• Welfare and inequality
• Environmental politics and sustainability
• Father and family support

We are committed to critical inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and making an impact through research, teaching, and public engagement. Visiting Fellows are warmly welcomed into this environment.

For more information about the academics and their research, please look through our staff list.

Eligibility

The Visiting Fellowship is open to those currently undertaking a PhD in the social sciences (or related subjects). Applicants should have a clear research plan and an interest in participating in the School’s academic life.

What the Fellowship Includes

PhD Visiting Fellows will receive:

• A desk or workspace in the School
• A University of Lincoln email account
• Full access to the university library and online resources
• Opportunities to network with staff and research students

Fellows are also invited to deliver a guest lecture to staff and students within our school.

Duration, Fees, and Support

Fellowships are available for up to 12 months, with a monthly fee of £200. The start date and duration are flexible and can be agreed based on your needs and the school's capacity.

For international applicants, the school will issue a letter of sponsorship to support visa applications. We advise applying well in advance to allow time for travel and visa arrangements.

How to Apply

To apply, please complete our short online form. We strongly recommend that you contact relevant staff prior to submitting your application.