About us
As one of Sweden’s leading chemistry departments, we conduct research and education to address global challenges in the energy system, the environment, and health—aimed at shaping a sustainable future for generations to come.
The Department of Chemistry is one of Stockholm University’s largest departments and is part of the Faculty of Science. Here, around 200 chemists come together to collectively address global challenges in energy, the environment and health. Through strong collaboration, scientific excellence and a world-class research infrastructure, we create the conditions for advanced education and research that deliver high-quality results and solutions, drive progress towards a sustainable future, and strengthen our position as one of Sweden’s leading chemistry departments.
DEPARTMENT IN NUMBERS 2025
- Turnover: 312 MSEK
- Total staff: the equivalent of 200 full-time positions
- PhD students, internal and external funded: approximate 90
- Degree programmes: 1 Bachelor’s, 3 Master’s, and 5 PhD programmes
The Department of Chemistry – a history of mergers and transformation
The modern Department of Chemistry was established in 2025 through the merger of the departments of Materials and Environmental Chemistry (MMK) and Organic Chemistry. This merger represents a significant step forward, building on a long tradition of bringing together expertise and uniting different disciplines within chemistry.
Prior to 1973, the Department of Physical Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry was located at Stockholm University College on Kungstensgatan 45, while the Chemical Teaching Laboratory (KÖL) was in Frescati. In 1973, all activities were consolidated at the newly inaugurated Arrhenius Laboratory in Frescati under the name Department of Chemistry.
Two years later, in 1975, the Department of Physical, Inorganic and Structural Chemistry (FOOS) was established, remaining in existence until 2010, when it merged with the Department of Environmental Chemistry to form the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry (MMK). During this period, Analytical Chemistry, together with Environmental Chemistry, formed a joint unit, which in 2015 moved to the Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry.
In 2016, the Chemistry Teachers’ Resource Centre (KRC) transferred from the Department of Mathematics and Science Education to MMK to host the centre for some years. Four years later, in 2020, the Analytical Chemistry division of the Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry became part of MMK, which in 2025 merged with the Department of Organic Chemistry to form the current Department of Chemistry.
Following the move to the Arrhenius Laboratory in 1973, electron microscopy as a research tool was introduced. The photograph shows Margareta Sundberg with a Siemens ELMISKOP 102, the departmernt´s first electron microscope installed in 1974.
Last updated: 2026-02-24
Source: Department of Chemistry