Agnieszka (Agi) Brandt-Talbot is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Imperial College London and leads the Sustainable Carbon Solutions research team. She has authored >40 scientific articles with more than 7000 citations and 7 patents, some of which are available for licencing (carbon fibres, PET recycling). Prof Brandt-Talbot's research interest is in creating bio-derived materials and chemicals from sustainable biomass, enabling a more sustainable use of carbon in our economy through the application of tailored solvents (including polymer and packaging recycling), while she enjoys teaching sustainable chemistry at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Dr Brandt-Talbot was awarded Imperial's President's Award of Excellence for Outstanding Early Career Researcher in 2015, the Department of Chemical Engineering's Sir William Wakeham Award in 2016, and an Imperial College Research Fellowship in 2017 which she took up in the Department of Chemistry. She is a co-founder of spin-out company Lixea.

She holds a BSc in Chemistry and Biochemistry and an MSc in Chemistry from Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany. She joined Imperial College for her PhD studies in the Department of Chemistry and Life Sciences and was a Research Associate in the Department of Chemical Engineering. She is a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC) and the Honorary Treasurer of the RSC Molten Salts and Ionic Liquids Discussion Group and co-chair of the 2026 EUCHEMSIL conference (26-30 July).

Research Synopsis
The chemical industry relies on the use of fossil resources as its primary source of energy and raw materials. The petrochemical industry converts 10-15% of the extracted oil and gas into myriads of useful products, for example, packaging, furniture, clothing, and medicines. However, global warming caused by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere means that chemicals from fossil fuels are unsustainable and must be phased out. In addition, our material flows are mostly linear and wasteful, with many carbon-based chemicals and materials used only once before being discarded. 
We need to develop chemical processes that utilise renewable feedstocks and that circulate carbon-based resources in our economy. Many chemical processes use liquids (solvents) for chemical processes to accelerate reactions and help with purification and separations. 

The Green Carbon Solutions Lab develops and investigates chemical processes by applying solvents, including ionic liquids, in the refining of wood, biomass, plastic and packaging waste. We design the ionic liquids and other solvents for optimal functionality, cost, biocompatibility and biodegradability, depending on the application. We are also interested in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of successful transformations. Particular interests are the production of low-cost renewable carbon fibres from lignin, (composite) materials from biopolymers, and the application of solvents in plastic recycling, such as the chemical recycling of polyester and multi-layer packaging.

Working with us

PhD studentships

I may be able to support outstanding candidates for an application for an Imperial President's PhD scholarship for a start in 10/2027. You need to demonstrate top academic performance at a leading research institution, during your undergraduate and/or Masters degree(s), ideally evidenced by awards and prizes, evidence of research excellence (including publications in reputable journals), excellent written and interpersonal skills, and provide personalised motivation for our specific field of research. 

I also host PhD students with government or charitable scholarships that fund tution fees and a London compatible bursary. 

Please note that the Chemistry Department requires proof of full funding of tuition fees (home or overseas depending on their immigration status) to accept PhD students who want to join with non-Imperial funding. 

Postdoctoral positions
There are no funded PDRA positions available in my group at the moment. Post-PhD researchers with outstanding track record, excellent project planning and relevant topics can be supported for externally funded fellowships and scholarships. Candidates are expected to lead the writing of the application, with support provided.

A selection of fellowships that I may be able to host can be found here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/natural-sciences/research/funding/research-fellowships/