Michael O’Neill
@michaeloneill.org
Inorganic Chemistry || University of Liverpool || Education || Blogging || Textbooks || www.michaeloneill.org || PERIODically Podcast supporter
Cambridge have done a 2-page spread on their curriculum review progress, which is good. Exciting to see both immediate concrete changes and thoughtful ambitions for the longer term. But also good to see UG teaching featured so prominently in their external communications.
December 22, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Cambridge have done a 2-page spread on their curriculum review progress, which is good. Exciting to see both immediate concrete changes and thoughtful ambitions for the longer term. But also good to see UG teaching featured so prominently in their external communications.
Have started my break and am now chomping through Wolf Hall. The hype is all true - it’s *really* well written.
December 19, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Have started my break and am now chomping through Wolf Hall. The hype is all true - it’s *really* well written.
Reposted by Michael O’Neill
Well, it's finally up. Thanks @sarahbraner.bsky.social @cenmag.bsky.social for profiling me and my journey from @cmu.edu to @ucddublin.bsky.social. It's been a hell of a ride. I'm glad I'm here safe, at least.
⚗️ #newpi #disabledinstem #lgbtqinstem #transinstem #leavingus #howtoleave #ireland
⚗️ #newpi #disabledinstem #lgbtqinstem #transinstem #leavingus #howtoleave #ireland
This chemist had a tenure-track job offer in the US when they decided to leave the country
Why Evan Spotte-Smith made that choice, and how they are finding the experience
cen.acs.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Well, it's finally up. Thanks @sarahbraner.bsky.social @cenmag.bsky.social for profiling me and my journey from @cmu.edu to @ucddublin.bsky.social. It's been a hell of a ride. I'm glad I'm here safe, at least.
⚗️ #newpi #disabledinstem #lgbtqinstem #transinstem #leavingus #howtoleave #ireland
⚗️ #newpi #disabledinstem #lgbtqinstem #transinstem #leavingus #howtoleave #ireland
Reposted by Michael O’Neill
Online now: Main-group mimics of transition-metal carbonyl redox chemistry
Main-group mimics of transition-metal carbonyl redox chemistry
Chu, Munz, and coworkers reported that a sterically encumbered ketene derived from a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene and CO can access three oxidation states. These single-electron redox events mimic transition-metal carbonyl behavior. Notably, the ketene radical anion reacts with CO to form an oxalyl radical, demonstrating transition metal-free C–C coupling of CO.
dlvr.it
December 18, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Online now: Main-group mimics of transition-metal carbonyl redox chemistry
Reposted by Michael O’Neill
New pre-print! Giorgio Volpe, Rob Malinowski, and myself discuss the possibilities of making materials from droplets that can move, process information, and make decisions collectively.
@livunisps.bsky.social
@uclchemistry.bsky.social
arxiv.org/abs/2512.13425
#chemsky
@livunisps.bsky.social
@uclchemistry.bsky.social
arxiv.org/abs/2512.13425
#chemsky
December 16, 2025 at 10:42 AM
New pre-print! Giorgio Volpe, Rob Malinowski, and myself discuss the possibilities of making materials from droplets that can move, process information, and make decisions collectively.
@livunisps.bsky.social
@uclchemistry.bsky.social
arxiv.org/abs/2512.13425
#chemsky
@livunisps.bsky.social
@uclchemistry.bsky.social
arxiv.org/abs/2512.13425
#chemsky
Reposted by Michael O’Neill
**New Blog Post** The economics of offering a Chemistry degree.
I've been trying to understand what's going on for about a year now, and this is my best attempt at explaining why so many departments are under threat. www.michaeloneill.org/blog-1/2025/...
I've been trying to understand what's going on for about a year now, and this is my best attempt at explaining why so many departments are under threat. www.michaeloneill.org/blog-1/2025/...
The Economics of offering a Chemistry Degree — Michael O'Neill
A run-through the way that per-student costs can explain the economic pressures Chemistry faces
www.michaeloneill.org
November 30, 2025 at 3:11 PM
**New Blog Post** The economics of offering a Chemistry degree.
I've been trying to understand what's going on for about a year now, and this is my best attempt at explaining why so many departments are under threat. www.michaeloneill.org/blog-1/2025/...
I've been trying to understand what's going on for about a year now, and this is my best attempt at explaining why so many departments are under threat. www.michaeloneill.org/blog-1/2025/...
**new blog post** I thought it would be interesting to see what it would look like if tuition fees had grown with the "triple lock" approach of the state pension. www.michaeloneill.org/blog-1/2025/...
The Triple-Locked Tuition Fee — Michael O'Neill
I tried scaling the £9k tuition fee by the “triple lock” used for pensions to see what it looked like.
www.michaeloneill.org
December 14, 2025 at 11:17 AM
**new blog post** I thought it would be interesting to see what it would look like if tuition fees had grown with the "triple lock" approach of the state pension. www.michaeloneill.org/blog-1/2025/...
Reposted by Michael O’Neill
We’re looking for an enthusiastic PhD student to join our vibrant research group. We have an opening for a PhD position to work on radical Frustrated Lewis pairs. Check out the link below for more information and contacts. ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
PhD in Chemistry: Single or Double? A Radical Approach to Catalysis - Competitive EPSRC funded post at Cardiff University on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - PhD in Chemistry: Single or Double? A Radical Approach to Catalysis - Competitive EPSRC funded post at Cardiff University, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
December 13, 2025 at 6:04 AM
We’re looking for an enthusiastic PhD student to join our vibrant research group. We have an opening for a PhD position to work on radical Frustrated Lewis pairs. Check out the link below for more information and contacts. ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
I had a very lovely trip to Keele this week. I'd never been before, and it's beautiful. My talk was on the closure of Departments, and hopeful ways through the economics and geography of a difficult moment for Chemistry.
December 12, 2025 at 9:22 AM
I had a very lovely trip to Keele this week. I'd never been before, and it's beautiful. My talk was on the closure of Departments, and hopeful ways through the economics and geography of a difficult moment for Chemistry.
Reposted by Michael O’Neill
**New blog post** Slightly personal one, in which I start by thinking about how I felt as a slow student in undergrad labs and develop some reflections about speed as a goal in lab teaching. www.michaeloneill.org/blog-1/2025/11/28/being-slow-in-labs
Being slow in labs — Michael O'Neill
Reflections on being slow in labs as a student.
www.michaeloneill.org
November 28, 2025 at 8:01 AM
**New blog post** Slightly personal one, in which I start by thinking about how I felt as a slow student in undergrad labs and develop some reflections about speed as a goal in lab teaching. www.michaeloneill.org/blog-1/2025/11/28/being-slow-in-labs
Aim: get 3 books as Christmas presents.
Outcome: get 2 books as Christmas presents and 3 books for me.
Evaluation: huge success.
Outcome: get 2 books as Christmas presents and 3 books for me.
Evaluation: huge success.
December 7, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Aim: get 3 books as Christmas presents.
Outcome: get 2 books as Christmas presents and 3 books for me.
Evaluation: huge success.
Outcome: get 2 books as Christmas presents and 3 books for me.
Evaluation: huge success.
Reposted by Michael O’Neill
The RSC Higher Education Group is looking for new committee members as the terms of some of the committee are closing. I have found it a really positive and thoughtful group. If you are an RSC member, consider standing for election! www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SJMOSO/
Higher Education Group - Call for Committee - December 2025
Please take the time to complete our survey. Your feedback is important.
www.smartsurvey.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 9:43 AM
The RSC Higher Education Group is looking for new committee members as the terms of some of the committee are closing. I have found it a really positive and thoughtful group. If you are an RSC member, consider standing for election! www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SJMOSO/
Reposted by Michael O’Neill
Liverpool is hiring for a Professor who would also be Head of Chemistry. Application deadline Jan 4th. Interviews Feb 5th. I really like it here; maybe you would, too. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPQ019/p...
Professor and Head of Department of Chemistry at University of Liverpool
Recruiting now: Professor and Head of Department of Chemistry on jobs.ac.uk. Click for details and explore more academic job opportunities on the top job board
www.jobs.ac.uk
December 3, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Liverpool is hiring for a Professor who would also be Head of Chemistry. Application deadline Jan 4th. Interviews Feb 5th. I really like it here; maybe you would, too. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPQ019/p...
The RSC Higher Education Group is looking for new committee members as the terms of some of the committee are closing. I have found it a really positive and thoughtful group. If you are an RSC member, consider standing for election! www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SJMOSO/
Higher Education Group - Call for Committee - December 2025
Please take the time to complete our survey. Your feedback is important.
www.smartsurvey.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 9:43 AM
The RSC Higher Education Group is looking for new committee members as the terms of some of the committee are closing. I have found it a really positive and thoughtful group. If you are an RSC member, consider standing for election! www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SJMOSO/
Liverpool is hiring for a Professor who would also be Head of Chemistry. Application deadline Jan 4th. Interviews Feb 5th. I really like it here; maybe you would, too. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPQ019/p...
Professor and Head of Department of Chemistry at University of Liverpool
Recruiting now: Professor and Head of Department of Chemistry on jobs.ac.uk. Click for details and explore more academic job opportunities on the top job board
www.jobs.ac.uk
December 3, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Liverpool is hiring for a Professor who would also be Head of Chemistry. Application deadline Jan 4th. Interviews Feb 5th. I really like it here; maybe you would, too. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPQ019/p...
I read the generic guidance about peer observations in preparation for observing a colleague. There are helpful lists of ideas for what to think about.
Something missing: the skill of a teacher to explain technical concepts. Wondering if this is very Chemistry-specific (or Science-specific).
Something missing: the skill of a teacher to explain technical concepts. Wondering if this is very Chemistry-specific (or Science-specific).
December 2, 2025 at 7:57 AM
I read the generic guidance about peer observations in preparation for observing a colleague. There are helpful lists of ideas for what to think about.
Something missing: the skill of a teacher to explain technical concepts. Wondering if this is very Chemistry-specific (or Science-specific).
Something missing: the skill of a teacher to explain technical concepts. Wondering if this is very Chemistry-specific (or Science-specific).
**New Blog Post** The economics of offering a Chemistry degree.
I've been trying to understand what's going on for about a year now, and this is my best attempt at explaining why so many departments are under threat. www.michaeloneill.org/blog-1/2025/...
I've been trying to understand what's going on for about a year now, and this is my best attempt at explaining why so many departments are under threat. www.michaeloneill.org/blog-1/2025/...
The Economics of offering a Chemistry Degree — Michael O'Neill
A run-through the way that per-student costs can explain the economic pressures Chemistry faces
www.michaeloneill.org
November 30, 2025 at 3:11 PM
**New Blog Post** The economics of offering a Chemistry degree.
I've been trying to understand what's going on for about a year now, and this is my best attempt at explaining why so many departments are under threat. www.michaeloneill.org/blog-1/2025/...
I've been trying to understand what's going on for about a year now, and this is my best attempt at explaining why so many departments are under threat. www.michaeloneill.org/blog-1/2025/...
**New blog post** Slightly personal one, in which I start by thinking about how I felt as a slow student in undergrad labs and develop some reflections about speed as a goal in lab teaching. www.michaeloneill.org/blog-1/2025/11/28/being-slow-in-labs
Being slow in labs — Michael O'Neill
Reflections on being slow in labs as a student.
www.michaeloneill.org
November 28, 2025 at 8:01 AM
**New blog post** Slightly personal one, in which I start by thinking about how I felt as a slow student in undergrad labs and develop some reflections about speed as a goal in lab teaching. www.michaeloneill.org/blog-1/2025/11/28/being-slow-in-labs
Reposted by Michael O’Neill
📢 Dr Ieuan Seymour has a 2.5-year Research Fellow/Advanced Research Fellow position working on sustainable solid-state battery technology. If you are passionate about the development of new solid-state battery technology, this opportunity could be for you!
#ChemSky 🧪 #sustainability #batteries
#ChemSky 🧪 #sustainability #batteries
Research Fellow /Advanced Research Fellow (NCS254R) | University of Aberdeen
We are seeking to recruit a research fellow/advanced research fellow with a strong background in materials chemistry to join a vibrant research team under the leadership of Dr Ieuan Seymour in the Dep...
www.abdnjobs.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 3:21 PM
📢 Dr Ieuan Seymour has a 2.5-year Research Fellow/Advanced Research Fellow position working on sustainable solid-state battery technology. If you are passionate about the development of new solid-state battery technology, this opportunity could be for you!
#ChemSky 🧪 #sustainability #batteries
#ChemSky 🧪 #sustainability #batteries
Reposted by Michael O’Neill
Funded PhD position: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
This is an interdisciplinary project where you get to do coordination chemistry with bismuth and zinc, as well as some microbiology and some computational chemistry - all in the name of combatting antimicrobial resistance.
Currently UK only.
This is an interdisciplinary project where you get to do coordination chemistry with bismuth and zinc, as well as some microbiology and some computational chemistry - all in the name of combatting antimicrobial resistance.
Currently UK only.
Metals against AMR - Understanding how bismuth inhibits metallo-β-lactamase enzymes at Nottingham Trent University on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Metals against AMR - Understanding how bismuth inhibits metallo-β-lactamase enzymes at Nottingham Trent University, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Funded PhD position: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
This is an interdisciplinary project where you get to do coordination chemistry with bismuth and zinc, as well as some microbiology and some computational chemistry - all in the name of combatting antimicrobial resistance.
Currently UK only.
This is an interdisciplinary project where you get to do coordination chemistry with bismuth and zinc, as well as some microbiology and some computational chemistry - all in the name of combatting antimicrobial resistance.
Currently UK only.
Thoughts with staff at Leicester as this awful situation develops while they're also busy teaching.
I spoke to staff at @uniofleicester.bsky.social who told me at least 9 chemistry staff were at risk of redundancy under new proposals that would see the school of chemistry merge with the school of geography, geology and the environment: www.chemistryworld.com/university-o... @chemistryworld.com
University of Leicester chemistry department could lose at least nine staff under merger proposals
Staff warn cuts would leave the department without the resources to teach Leicester's growing student population
www.chemistryworld.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Thoughts with staff at Leicester as this awful situation develops while they're also busy teaching.
Article on student complaints about being taught with AI-generated materials. The language in the University's statement was fascinating. 5min read. www.theguardian.com/education/20...
‘We could have asked ChatGPT’: students fight back over course taught by AI
Staffordshire students say signs material was AI-generated included suspicious file names and rogue voiceover accent
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Article on student complaints about being taught with AI-generated materials. The language in the University's statement was fascinating. 5min read. www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Been doing very quick storyboard sketches to help students connect with the wider story of a lecture course in magnetism. I think it works ok.
November 20, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Been doing very quick storyboard sketches to help students connect with the wider story of a lecture course in magnetism. I think it works ok.
Reposted by Michael O’Neill
new publication (my first!) in the JCP! pubs.aip.org/aip/jcp/arti...
Chirality transfer in lyotropic twist–bend nematics
Using molecular simulations and classical density functional theory, we study the liquid-crystalline phase behavior of a series of bent rod-like mesogens with a
pubs.aip.org
November 17, 2025 at 8:32 PM
new publication (my first!) in the JCP! pubs.aip.org/aip/jcp/arti...
Reposted by Michael O’Neill
Join us for a celebration of this year’s Education Prizes winners!
We are honouring inspirational, innovative and dedicated people working in primary, secondary, further and higher education. Follow the thread and learn about all 12 winners of our #RSCPrizes as we congratulate… #ChemSky
We are honouring inspirational, innovative and dedicated people working in primary, secondary, further and higher education. Follow the thread and learn about all 12 winners of our #RSCPrizes as we congratulate… #ChemSky
November 18, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Join us for a celebration of this year’s Education Prizes winners!
We are honouring inspirational, innovative and dedicated people working in primary, secondary, further and higher education. Follow the thread and learn about all 12 winners of our #RSCPrizes as we congratulate… #ChemSky
We are honouring inspirational, innovative and dedicated people working in primary, secondary, further and higher education. Follow the thread and learn about all 12 winners of our #RSCPrizes as we congratulate… #ChemSky