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Biography

Josh was born in Bremerv枚rde, Germany in 1990 and grew up in northern Germany. After completing his German university entrance qualification (Abitur), he became a kindergarten teacher for his civil service, before moving to G枚ttingen to study chemistry. 

Josh obtained his PhD in Chemistry in 2019 from the Georg-August-Universit盲t G枚ttingen, working on transition metal pnictide complexes under the supervision of Prof. Sven Schneider. After passing his viva with summa cum laude, he then joined the group of Prof. Jose M. Goicoechea at the University of Oxford funded by a Walter Benjamllowship of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). His work focused on small molecule activation reactions by phosphorus and tantalum compounds. 

Josh started his independent career as a DFG Return Fellow at the Humboldt-Universit盲t zu Berlin in 2022 under the guidance of Prof. Christian Limberg. In 2023, Josh received a 3-year Liebig scholarship of the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie e.V. allowing him to hire his first PhD student. He joined The University of Manchester as a Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry in August 2025. His current research focuses on the chemistry of planarized group 15 compounds featuring redox-active ligands and their application in small molecule activation reactions and sustainable catalysis. 

In his free time, Josh enjoys relaxing activities such as playing guitar, hiking in the Greater Manchester countryside and extreme metal concerts.

Fascinating science happens when you combine expertise and create something new that nobody else has thought of or was able to do before.

Josh Abbenseth

Q&A

Can you tell us more about your work?

Our group is teaching p-block elements of group 15 (pnictogens) new tricks to form and break carbon-element bonds. Such reactions are generally performed with precious transition metal catalysts, however, there are still blind spots in the vast landscape of carbon-element bond forming reactions. 
 
We think that main group chemistry can help here, since pnictogens have very different properties when compared to established transition metal catalysts. We design rigid molecular pincers to force pnictogens in unusual shapes. This geometric manipulation unlocks new reactivities that show high promise to develop atom-economic and sustainable processes to produce fine chemicals.

What has been the most rewarding or memorable highlight of your career so far? 

Being offered a lecturer position in Manchester has been life changing. Starting your independent career in today鈥檚 academic landscape without a tenure-track or permanent position is tough and requires long-term perseverance and motivation.

The opportunity to return to the UK, be reunited with my partner, and have a fulfilling career fundamentally changed my professional and personal situation. 

Thinking back to earlier in your career, are there any words of wisdom that you wish someone had told you? 

Research takes time, patience, and a proper work-life balance. You will likely do this kind of work until your retirement so make sure that you are happy with your work, but don鈥檛 forget to give your personal life the focus it needs to balance the stress that will inevitably come with this line of work. 

What does good research culture mean to you, and why does it matter? 

I was lucky to be able to build a very diverse team who shared my ambition but brought different perspectives or approaches to that vision. The variations in our background and cultures continues to inspire the team which to me, is the essence of good research culture. 

Doing a PhD or PDRA is intense, but when you work in a group where you feel safe, heard and seen it makes things easier and much more enjoyable. My aim is to provide my students with an environment where they can prosper.

How important would you say collaboration is for producing high quality science? How has collaboration influenced your work? 

I am convinced that collaboration is key to produce high-quality science. We have worked alongside experts in spectroscopy and theory which was very rewarding. Fascinating science happens when you combine expertise and create something new that nobody else has thought of or was able to do before. This is very exciting to me.

What is your favourite element and why? 

I think this has to go to bismuth as this element has dominated my research over the last years. Bismuth is a jack-of-all-trades element that continues to surprise us.