Dr Dominikus Heift

About

I have completed my undergraduate chemistry studies at the University of Cologne (Diploma) in 2008 before undertaking a PhD in Phosphorus Chemistry under the supervision of Professor Grützmacher at ETH Zurich. Here I worked on the development of atom economical phosphorus transfer reagents, with a focus on new phosphorus building blocks for heterocyclic molecular frameworks. Subsequently, in 2014 I decided to explore a totally different field of chemistry and worked as a postdoctoral researcher with Dr. Chaudret (INSA Toulouse) on the design and synthesis of innovative magnetic nanoparticles for applications in Fischer-Tropsch processes and hyperthermia cancer therapy. In May 2016 I was awarded an  EU-COFUND Junior Research Fellowship at Durham University and started establishing my own field of research in Main Group chemistry. In addition to my own research projects at Durham University I was working as Technical Development Support on an ERDF project between Durham University and CPI (Centre for Process Innovation). The project supported SMEs in the UK to design nanomaterials for a range of applications and helped me establishing several industrial collaborations. I was appointed as Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry at Kingston University in 2020.

Twitter: @DominikusHeift

Academic responsibilities

Senior Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry

Qualifications

  • Diploma in Chemistry
  • PhD
  • MRSC
  • FHEA

Teaching and learning

Research