The Research School of Chemistry has established itself as a 'centre of excellence', maintaining the highest international standards for over 30 years to further fundamental knowledge in chemistry. Concentrating on areas of research with national importance, our activities strengthen the discipline of chemistry in Australia and lead to numerous potential applications in medicine and industry.

Our outstanding performance is recognised around the world. Fellowships of learned academies are the scientific equivalents of the halls of fame for sports stars and movie stars. The RSC has had more Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science (thirteen) than any other chemistry department in Australia. Since it was founded in 1968, RSC has earned seven Fellowships of the Royal Society of London. The rest of Australia has claimed only one.

The Australian National University ranks higher in terms of the total number of literature citations than any other
institution in the southern hemisphere.¹ On the basis of chemistry citations, ANU chemistry ranks in the top 100
institutions world wide.

Our innovative research tackles an extensive range of issues in chemistry from understanding the basic building blocks of life through to the dynamics of chemical reactions in the upper atmosphere. We are increasingly able to manipulate and control the structure and behaviour of individual molecules and even atoms – nanotechnology. This opens up the exciting possibility of controlling the fundamental properties of materials such as colour, strength and electrical conductivity. Nanotechnology has the potential to be the next technological revolution, leading to huge advances in medicine, biotechnology, manufacturing and information technology.

Our studies of fundamental processes in biology and nature such as the structure and function of DNA and proteins can lead to the development of new and improved drugs for treating important diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. We are developing new techniques to improve the cost-effectiveness of synthesising complex molecules used in pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Other molecules under investigation may help solve environmental problems such as removing pesticide residues from the environment or protecting the Great Barrier Reef from degradation.

RSC benefits from a flexible structure with 21 research groups led by tenured academic staff. With more than 30 postdoctoral fellows and research fellows from all over the world there is a constant influx of new ideas and talents. Staff and students have access to world-class facilities including the most sophisticated nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers and mass spectrometers in the country and the most powerful computers in the southern hemisphere.

We invite you to read more about our exciting research and find out why you should join Australia’s leading chemistry research team.

Professor Martin G. Banwell
Director

¹ Institute of Scientific Information (ISI) (http://isi6.isiknowledge.com/portal.cgi)