Advanced analytical services

University of Canterbury (UC) researchers offer a range of bespoke analytical services that help external organisations understand the composition, structure, and properties of materials and samples.

Whether investigating environmental contaminants, characterising new materials, identifying chemical compounds, or supporting product development, researchers provide access to sophisticated instrumentation and scientific expertise that may otherwise be unavailable to organisations.

Researchers across UC use a wide range of techniques to analyse samples from diverse sectors including environmental monitoring, food production, manufacturing, biotechnology, health, agriculture, and materials development.

Capabilities include chemical composition analysis, molecular characterisation, trace element detection, spectroscopy, chromatography, materials testing, and structural analysis. These techniques enable clients to gain detailed insights into their samples and address complex technical challenges.

The School of Physical and Chemical Sciences is one example of the specialist analytical services available at UC. Researchers and technical staff support clients with analysis of environmental, biological, and chemical samples, using state-of-the-art instrumentation to identify compounds, measure trace elements, characterise materials, and investigate sample composition and properties. Services range from targeted sample testing through to collaborative projects that combine analytical results with scientific interpretation.

This capability is particularly valuable where standard testing approaches are insufficient, and where specialist methods, custom analytical workflows, or expert interpretation are required to understand complex samples or solve technical challenges.

What sets UC apart is the combination of analytical instrumentation and expertise spanning chemistry, environmental science, biology, materials science, and related disciplines.

Researchers work closely with clients to understand their objectives, select appropriate analytical approaches, and interpret results in the context of their specific questions. This collaborative approach ensures organisations receive not only high-quality analytical data, but also the scientific insight needed to support research, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making.

UC's analytical services support a wide range of outcomes, from environmental monitoring and regulatory compliance through to product development, materials innovation, and scientific discovery.

By combining sophisticated analytical techniques with expert interpretation, researchers help organisations transform complex data into actionable knowledge. Whether addressing a specific technical question or contributing to a larger research programme, UC's analytical capabilities enable partners to make informed decisions and tackle complex challenges with confidence.

Talk to Dr Marie Squire about your specialist chemical analysis needs or contact Research Connect to explore working with UC across a range of analysis types.