ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2997-8577
Scopus Author ID: 29067669100
ResearcherID: P-6542-2017

Metrics for Academic and Research Impact

BSc (Durham), PhD (Durham)

Michael Chan was born in Hong Kong, and emigrated to England in 1978.  He received his Ph.D. in 1995 from Durham University in the area of catalyst design and polymerization technology.  His studies continued as a post-doctoral fellow in light-emitting materials at the University of Hong Kong, where he was appointed Research Assistant Professor in 1998.  He joined City University of Hong Kong as an Assistant Professor in 2004, and was promoted to Associate Professor (B) in 2009, Associate Professor (A) in 2013, and Professor in 2018.  

 
His invited talks include a Plenary Lecture at 22nd International Symposium on Homogeneous Catalysis (XXII-ISHC) in Lisbon, Portugal in July 2022, and a Keynote Lecture at 16th International Symposium on Relations between Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysis (ISHHC-16) in Sapporo, Japan in August 2013.  He has held visiting appointments at Osaka University, University of Münster and University of British Columbia, and was a Symposium Co-organizer for "Polyolefins Chemistry and Beyond - From Bench To Commercial Scale" (Symposium #211) at Pacifichem 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii in December 2010.  

 
His papers on C-H···F-C interactions in post-metallocene catalysts have been selected as Cover Pictures in Chemistry - A European Journal, and an overview was published in Accounts of Chemical Research in 2015.  He has actively and extensively engaged in collaborative research on olefin polymerization catalysts with industrial partners, and has obtained 8 international patents.   

 
Major Honours

Founding Member, Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences (year of induction: 2018).

Mitsui Chemicals Catalysis Science Award of Encouragement (2007). 

PhD Positions Available in Catalysis / Supramolecular / Organometallic Chemistry

PhD studentships are available in topics including (but not limited to): coordination/organometallic (Schlenk-type)/supramolecular chemistry and/or homogeneous catalysis. 

PhD candidates must have a good MPhil or BSc degree in chemistry, and proven English proficiency (TOEFL: minimum total score of 550 (paper-based) / 79 (internet-based) / 59 (revised paper-delivered test); or IELTS: overall score of 6.5). The ideal candidate should display good problem-solving skills and creativity, and possess a strong background/experience in synthetic (organic/coordination) chemistry. 

PhD applications should be made asap (applications will be accepted until all positions are filled). For initial enquiries, please contact Prof. Chan by email and include a full CV with contact details of referees.

The following topics, underpinned by employment of supramolecular strategies, are under investigation:

(1) design of novel catalyst systems for polymerization reactions, and development of ‘weak attractive ligand-polymer interactions’ in catalysis;  (2) development of ‘dynamic helical metallopolymers’ and crowded molecular and polymeric architectures exhibiting unusual conformational and photophysical properties;  (3) ‘shape-persistent bimetallic design’ approach for catalytic production of valuable feedstock and polymers for greater sustainability.