Since 2016 the IRMG has awarded an Early Career Award (previously called Young Investigator’s Award) each year to recognise the exceptional contribution to the field by an independent academic researcher at an early career stage. Details for the nomination process can be found on the Information and Links page.
2026 Winner
Dr Jennifer A Garden, University of Edinburgh
Awarded for “mechanistic studies in earth-abundant metal-mediated transformations for sustainable polymer chemistry”.
Jenni’s research focuses on unravelling the mechanisms of Earth abundant metal catalysts to enable a circular economy, with a particular emphasis on transformations involving small molecules to macromolecules. Her work has made significant contributions to the field, including demonstrating the parallels between traditional organolithium bases and magnesium-oxo compounds, and exploring the potential of iron catalysis, which is attractive due to its low cost and toxicity. Jenni has also investigated the synthesis of block copolymers, uncovering the reasons behind the limitations of one-pot metal-catalysed procedures, and using this understanding to make notable advances in heterometallic catalyst design. Her work has shed light on the roles of different metals and the factors that influence catalyst performance. Overall, Jenni’s research has revealed new reaction pathways, identified key intermediates, and provided insights that are shaping the field of catalysis, enabling the development of more efficient and sustainable catalyst systems.
Further details about Jenni’s work can be found at her University of Edinburgh page and research group web pages.
2025 Winner
Dr Daniel J Scott, University of Bath
Awarded for “For studies into the mechanisms of photoredox catalysis (via isolation of air-sensitive radical intermediates) and mechanistically driven advances in phosphorus functionalisation chemistry.”
Further details concerning Daniel’s work can be found at:
https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/persons/daniel-scott-2/
https://scottchemistry.wixsite.com/scott-research-group/
2023 Winner
Dr Andrew Jupp, University of Birmingham
The Jupp group work in the areas of main-group chemistry, small-molecule activation and sustainable catalysis. Recent work has focused on exploring the interactions of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) with light, and understanding the implications of these findings on the mechanism of small-molecule activation by FLPs. In particular, we have used supramolecular techniques to probe the encounter complex (the weakly associated Lewis acid and base) in solution, which underpins FLP catalysis.
2022 Winner
Dr Sebastian Pike, University of Warwick
2021 Winner
Dr David Nelson, University of Strathclyde
2020 Winner
Dr Claire McMullin, University of Bath
As a computational Chemist, Claire uses predominately Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods to investigate a range of organometallic and inorganic reaction systems. Through collaborations with a range of synthetic groups, her research has studied mechanisms for Rh and Ru C-H activation, Pd cross-coupling of aryl halides, Buchwald-Hartwig amination, the nucelophilicity and reactivity of group 2 boryl complexes, emerging alumanyl reactivity and much more.
2019 Winner
Dr Ruth Webster, University of Bath
My research spans the fields of organic, organometallic and coordination chemistry with a specific focus on iron-catalysed main group bond transformations and catalytic manipulation of phosphines. We are a synthetic methodology group, but use a range of physical organic techniques to probe mechanism. We also collaborate with experts in advanced spectroscopies and theoreticians to gain greater understanding of our chemistry.
2018 Winner
Dr Ulrich Hintermair, University of Bath
2017 Winner
Dr James Walton, Durham University
Research projects in the Walton group are linked through the design, synthesis and evaluation of organometallic complexes. One project is the study of Ru(η6-arene)Ln complexes in synthesis and catalysis. We have shown that π–coordination of arenes to Ru increases their reactivity towards SNAr, C–H activation and trifluoromethylation. However, the Ru–(η6-arene) bond is strong and a stoichiometric amount of Ru is required. Our goal is to develop systems in which the rate of arene dissociation/exchange is matched with the rate of arene reactivity, leading to a catalytic cycle. By understanding the mechanism of arene exchange in these systems, we can lower the activation barrier for dissociation through judicious choice of ligands, Ln, and incorporation of tethers. Our recent review on this area can be read here.
2016 Winner
Dr Sara Kyne, University of Lincoln
The goal of research in the Kyne group is to develop sustainable catalytic processes. To achieve this, we focus on elucidating the underpinning mechanistic details of these reactions to guide optimisation of activity and efficiency. We use a variety of spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques, in synergy with computational modelling.
