Join the Oakley Group
We are always interested in hearing from enthusiastic students and researchers interested in joining the group. Below are a list of current opportunities and potential funding avenues.
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
Open now: 3.5-year PhD position
Oct 2026: I’m recruiting a fully funded UK PhD student to start in October 2027. You’ll use multiconfigurational quantum chemistry to simulate X-ray spectra of actinides in solution, with relevance to the nuclear fuel cycle. Applicants need at least a 2:1 or a master’s in Chemistry, Physics or a related discipline. Deadline: 18 December 2026. Please feel free to email me before applying. Apply here
Undergraduate research
Interested in an undergraduate research project? Please email me with a current CV and brief statement of interest before January. We can then discuss potential projects and funding.
Funding opportunities
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Departmental & RSC undergraduate research bursaries: applications open in January. See the RSC undergraduate research bursaries.
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Learning Through Research Student Experience Internships: opportunities through the University of Manchester.
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Porter Prize: supports undergraduate research for students who are not yet in their final year. More information.
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Mitacs Globalink Research Award: 12–24 week research internships for eligible Canadian students. More information.
Postgraduate research
Interested in a PhD in the Oakley Group? Please email me with a current CV and brief statement of interest. We can then discuss potential projects and funding.
Funding opportunities
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President’s Doctoral Scholarship: University of Manchester.
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Dean’s Doctoral Scholarship: University of Manchester.
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School of Natural Sciences Diversity PhD Scholarships: for eligible UK Black-heritage students. More information.
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Postgraduate Research Teaching Associate (PGRTA) Scholarships: PhD funding combining research and teaching. More information.
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Mitacs Globalink Research Award: 12–24 week research internships for eligible Canadian students. More information.
See the University’s full list of postgraduate funding opportunities.
Postdoctoral researchers
Interested in joining the Oakley Group as a postdoc? There are currently no funded postdoctoral positions in the group, but I am happy to support suitable external fellowship applications. Please email me with a current CV and brief statement of interest.
External fellowships
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships
- EPSRC Postdoctoral Fellowships
- AXA Postdoctoral Fellowships
- Newton International Fellowships: non-UK researchers
- NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowships: Canadian candidates
- Mitacs Globalink Research Award: Canadian candidates, 12–24 week internship
- Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships: Canadian candidates
- Branco Weiss Fellowships
- Leopoldina Postdoc Scholarship: German, Austrian or Swiss candidates
- SNSF Postdoc Mobility Fellowship: Swiss candidates