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PhD Physics / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

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The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent) OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent).

Other combinations of qualifications and research or work experience may also be considered. Please contact the admissions team to check.

Full entry requirements

Apply online

In your application you’ll need to include:

• The name of this programme
• Your research project title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name) or area of research
• Your proposed supervisor’s name
• If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the available funding
• A supporting statement (see 'Advice to Applicants' for what to include)
• Details of your previous university level study
• Names and contact details of your two referees.

Programme options

Programme description.

The  Department of Physics and Astronomy at Manchester is one of the largest and most active physics departments in the UK. We have a long tradition of excellence in both teaching and research, and have interests in most areas of contemporary research.

The Department has a strong presence in a number of Manchester-based centres for multidisciplinary research: The National Graphene Institute, the Photon Science Institute, the Manchester Centre for Non-Linear Dynamics, and the Dalton Nuclear Institute. In addition, the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire is a part of the department.

Strong research activity exists in a broad range of physics topics funded by the Research Councils including EPSRC, STFC, BBSRC, the EU and industry. All the research groups offer well-equipped laboratories and computing facilities and are involved in a wide range of collaborative projects with industry and other academic departments in the UK and overseas. 

The postgraduate research environment is well funded and world-class as demonstrated by our ranking in REF2021.  Supervision is provided by academic staff, who are leaders in their fields, with independent pastoral back-up. Transferable skills training is available and there are some school teaching opportunities.

For more information about research themes within the department please visit our themes page or view available projects within the department on our Postgraduate Research projects page . 

To be announced.

The programme fee will vary depending on the cost of running the project. Fees quoted are fully inclusive and, therefore, you will not be required to pay any additional bench fees or administration costs.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of the course for Home students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit the postgraduate fees page .

Always contact the Admissions team if you are unsure which fees apply to your project.

Scholarships/sponsorships

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.

To be considered for many of our scholarships, you’ll need to be nominated by your proposed supervisor. Therefore, we’d highly recommend you discuss potential sources of funding with your supervisor first, so they can advise on your suitability and make sure you meet nomination deadlines.

For more information about our scholarships, visit our funding page or use our funding database to search for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

Contact details

Our internationally-renowned expertise across the School of Natural Sciences informs research led teaching with strong collaboration across disciplines, unlocking new and exciting fields and translating science into reality.  Our multidisciplinary learning and research activities advance the boundaries of science for the wider benefit of society, inspiring students to promote positive change through educating future leaders in the true fundamentals of science. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .

Programmes in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

• Physics and Astronomy

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

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PhD in Physics

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The PhD in Physics is a full-time period of research which introduces or builds upon, research skills and specialist knowledge. Students are assigned a research supervisor, a specialist in part or all of the student's chosen research field, and join a research group which might vary in size between a handful to many tens of individuals.

Although the supervisor is responsible for the progress of a student's research programme, the extent to which a postgraduate student is assisted by the supervisor or by other members of the group depends almost entirely on the structure and character of the group concerned. The research field is normally determined at entry, after consideration of the student's interests and the facilities available. The student, however, may work within a given field for a period of time before their personal topic is determined.

There is no requirement made by the University for postgraduate students to attend formal courses or lectures for the PhD. Postgraduate work is largely a matter of independent research and successful postgraduates require a high degree of self-motivation. Nevertheless, lectures and classes may be arranged, and students are expected to attend both seminars (delivered regularly by members of the University and by visiting scholars and industrialists) and external conferences. Postgraduate students are also expected to participate in the undergraduate teaching programme at some time whilst they are based at the Cavendish, in order to develop their teaching, demonstrating, outreach, organisational and person-management skills.

It is expected that postgraduate students will also take advantage of the multiple opportunities available for transferable skills training within the University during their period of research.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the research programme, students will have demonstrated:

• the creation and interpretation of new knowledge, through original research or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication;
• a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice;
• the general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems;
• a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry; and
• the development of a PhD thesis for examination that they can defend in an oral examination and, if successful, graduate with a PhD.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, department of physics, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, lent 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Easter 2024 (Closed)

Michaelmas 2024 (closed), easter 2025, funding deadlines.

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

Similar Courses

• Physics MPhil
• Planetary Science and Life in the Universe MPhil
• Computational Methods for Materials Science CDT PhD
• Mathematics MPhil
• Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics PhD

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Physics PhD

Key information, full-time - 4 years, part-time - 8 years.

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Why choose this programme

The School of Mathematics and Physics is home to PhD students from around the world, supported by 54 full-time, research-active academic staff. 

You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with scientists around the world and take advantage of our strategic partnerships with organisations such as the National Physical Laboratory and the Royal Surrey County Hospital . We’re part of the South East Physics Network, which is made up of nine leading universities working to deliver excellence in physics ( SEPnet ). You’ll become part of SEPnet’s graduate network (GRADnet), the largest postgraduate research school in England.

We have an excellent graduate employability record, with 100 per cent of our physics research students going on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes survey, 2023) and the collaborative, interdisciplinary and industry-relevant nature of our research means you’ll make contacts, gain skills and get practical experience that gives you an edge with employers.

Our research ranges from fundamental topics in nuclear theory and astrophysics, to applied research in semiconductor devices and medical physics. Our nuclear physics group is the largest combined experimental and theoretical group in its field in the UK. Our research in astrophysics is dynamic and rapidly growing, and our latest research in quantum technology has resulted in articles published in top international journals. Our research often has strong practical applications, such as the strained layer laser that is today ubiquitous in information technology.

Frequently asked questions about doing a PhD

What you will study

It normally takes between three and four years of full-time study to complete our PhD in Physics.

You’ll be assigned two supervisors, both based at the University of Surrey. Your principal supervisor will be an expert in your area of research and will guide you through your PhD. Together, your supervisors will help you define the objectives and scope of your research, and help you learn the experimental, theoretical and computing skills that you need to complete your research.

As a doctoral student in the School of Mathematics and Physics, you’ll be assigned to a research group with a team of academics, postdoctoral researchers, guest scientists and fellows. Each group has its own seminar programme, giving you the opportunity to learn from colleagues and from guest scientists.

You’ll have regular opportunities to meet other PhD students, academics and staff at our informal postgraduate research forum meetings, and to get involved in organising social or other events.

In addition to the award of a PhD, as a doctoral student you’ll be able to join the Institute of Physics as an Associate Member, and you’ll be entitled to apply for full membership after three years of postgraduate study.

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

You’ll complete a confirmation report after 12 months which is assessed by independent examiners.

Research support

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College , which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

Research themes

Astrophysics.

• Multi-scale numerical simulations
• Stellar clusters
• Galaxy formation
• Supermassive black holes
• The hunt for dark matter
• Nuclear and radiation physics.

Experimental nuclear physics

• Physics of exotic nuclei studied with gamma ray spectroscopy, charged particle spectroscopy and radioactive beams.

Theoretical nuclear physics

• Ab initio nuclear structure
• Reactions for stellar nucleosynthesis
• Few body methods for nuclear structure and reactions
• Nuclear matter and neutron stars
• Superheavy nuclei and the creation of new elements
• Resonances and vibrational modes of nuclei.

Radiation detectors

• Fundamental detector physics
• New materials and technologies for detectors
• Novel algorithms and data handling for radiation detectors.

Medical physics

• Trace elements in the body
• Realistic phantoms for medical imaging
• Applications of X-ray tomography
• Radiation transport
• Radiobiology (biological effectiveness and modelling)
• Dosimetry and micro-dosimetry
• Advanced radiotherapy.

Environmental radioactivity

• Gamma ray spectroscopy
• Distribution of radioactivity due to natural and man-made processes
• Optimised sensor placement for radiological research
• Detection of radioactive concealed structures.

Photonics and quantum sciences

• Unconventional semiconductors and nanostructures for new types of lasers and detectors
• Quantum technology based on silicon
• Femtosecond dynamics of electron spins
• Exciton photo-physics in nanostructures
• Quasi-random photonic crystals
• Control of qubits in circuit quantum electrodynamics.

Soft matter

• Integration of nanoscale materials into functional devices
• Non-equilibrium processes in polymer colloids
• Soft polymers and nanocomposites in adhesives
• Computational soft matter, water dynamics in porous media and biological physics
• Fluid dynamics and porous media: magnetic resonance imaging and computational simulation
• Living microbes in hybrid functional materials
• Responsive emulsions and microcapsules
• Adhesives from natural, renewable sources.

Quantum biology

• How quantum coherence is maintained in biological energy harvesting
• The impact of biological noise in quantum coherence.

Our academic staff

See a full list of all our  academic staff  within the School of Mathematics and Physics.

Research centres and groups

Josh Reding

The facilities are impressive, and they allow me a wide range of approaches to studying my materials. I’m fully in charge of my own lab facility, and I’ve designed, built and run my experiments from beginning to end. The amount of freedom provided to me has been remarkable.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a first or upper second-class (2:1) UK degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent overseas qualification), or a lower-second (2:2) UK degree plus a good UK masters degree - distinction normally required (or equivalent overseas qualification).

International entry requirements by country

English language requirements.

IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.

These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept. 

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses , designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Application requirements

Applicants are advised to contact potential supervisors before they submit an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our  application guidance .

After registration

Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.

Selection process

Selection is based on applicants:

• Meeting the expected entry requirements
• Being shortlisted through the application screening process
• Completing a successful interview
• Providing suitable references.

Student life

At Surrey we offer the best of both worlds – a friendly campus university, set in beautiful countryside with the convenience and social life of Guildford on your doorstep.

Start date: October 2024

Start date: January 2025

Start date: April 2025

Start date: July 2025

• Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).
• Any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).

Additional costs

There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.

Funding for PhD studentships in physics is available through the Department from a number of sources:

• STFC Doctoral Training Grant: fully-funded studentships are available for students wishing to study nuclear physics or astronomy. These are funded from the UKRI Science and Technology Research Council.
• Departmental and Doctoral College studentships: fully-funded studentships are available for all physics discipline areas, funded through the University’s internal studentship allocation.
• Co-funding with our research partners: the Department has close connections with a wide range of research partners, who may also offer studentship funding. These include the National Physical Laboratory, AWE and other major research organisations.

For an informal discussion about PhD funding options and studentships, please contact the Department in the first instance at  [email protected] .

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

Apply online

If you are applying for a studentship to work on a particular project, please provide details of the project instead of a research proposal.

Read our application guidance for further information on applying.

To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.

1. Select your course

Select the course you wish to apply for.

To apply online sign in or create an account.

Code of practice for research degrees

Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.

Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF) .

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures , student regulations , and terms and conditions .

We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:

• First when we make an offer.
• Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).

View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.

This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.

Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.

It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer .

Course location and contact details

Campus location

Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught. 

University of Surrey Admissions

University of Surrey Guildford Surrey GU2 7XH

King's College London

Physics research mphil/phd, key information.

We have a wide range of research opportunities in the Department of Physics, and so we recommend that you explore and identify research topics and academic staff in your area of interest.

You can explore research projects and potential supervisors on the Group Pages .

Applications are invited for research in the following areas:

• Theoretical Particle Physics and Cosmology (click here for PhD positions in this area)
• Photonics and Nanotechnology
• Theory and Simulation of Condensed Matter
• Biological Physics and Soft Matter

Experimental Particle & Astroparticle Physics

Course intake.

Approximately 27

Partnerships

Our research groups enjoy strong collaborations with institutions around the world including Athens, Cambridge, CERN, Geneva, Imperial College, Jena, McGill, Nottingham, Oxford, Paris 6, Shanghai, Texas Tech, Trieste, Valencia, UCL and ETH Zurich.

There are also an exciting opportunity to gain a joint PhD with Hong Kong University.

Key information on the Department of Physics

Current number of academic staff: 44

Current number of postdoctoral research staff: 39

Current number of research students: over 100 PhD.

Group leaders

Head of Department - Professor Ruth Gregory

Biological Physics & Soft Matter - Professor Sergi Garcia-Manyes

Experimental Particle & Astroparticle Physics - Professor Francesca Di Lodovico

Photonics & Nanotechnology - Professor Anatoly Zayats

Theory & Simulation of Condensed Matter - Dr Joe Bhaseen

Theoretical Particle Physics & Cosmology - Professor Malcolm Fairbairn

• How to apply
• Fees or Funding

For funding opportunities please explore these pages:

• List of funding opportunities
• External funding opportunities for International students
• King’s-China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarship programme (K-CSC)

UK Tuition Fees 2023/24

Full time tuition fees:

£6,540 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research)

£6,540 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research with University of Hong Kong)

Part time tuition fees: £3,270 per year

International Tuition Fees 2023/24

£28 260 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research)

£28,260 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research with the University of Hong Kong)

Part time tuition fees: £14,130 per year

UK Tuition Fees 2024/25

£6,936 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research)

£6,936 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research with University of Hong Kong)

Part time tuition fees: £3,468 per year

International Tuition Fees 2024/25

£30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research)

£30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research with the University of Hong Kong)

Part time tuition fees: £15,120 per year

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.

• Study environment

Each of our research students is associated with a research group and supervised by a member of staff from this group. As part of this supervision you will take part in a monitoring exercise every six months. Your supervisor will help you learn the techniques you may need and advise on training/courses to attend.

We have excellent student facilities, including personal computers and office space for each of our graduate students. There is very extensive online access to journals and an excellent study environment in the College Library. Networking with other graduate students in the College is encouraged through the activities of the Graduate School.

Postgraduate training

All research students attend the School and College-based training in transferable skills. Training needs in specialised research techniques are assessed on an individual basis.

More about the Department of Physics

The Department has a distinguished history, with the study of Physics at King's College dating back to its foundation in 1829. The first Professor was Sir Charles Wheatstone, with other former professors including James Clerk Maxwell, who discovered the unified equations of electromagnetism while at King's, and four Nobel laureates. The seminal x-ray crystallography work by Wilkins and Franklin which led to the discovery of the structure of DNA, was performed in the Physics Department. The department today has a reputation as a friendly and supportive environment, with research in the department encompassing biophysics, materials science, nanotechnology, and theoretical particle physics and cosmology.

The Department has recently appointed international research leaders to head its three research groups: Professor John Ellis FRS, who has joined King's from CERN to lead the Theoretical Particle Physics & Cosmology Group; Professor Mark van Schilfgaarde, an expert in electronic structure theory, who heads the Materials & Molecular Modelling Group; and Professor Anatoly Zayats, a world-leader in the new field of plasmonics, who leads the Experimental Biophysics & Nanotechnology Group. Activities in biophysics enjoy strong links with the Randall Division for Cell and Molecular Biophysics in the School of Biomedical Sciences, and the molecular and materials modelling group is part of the London-based Thomas Young Centre for Theory and Simulations of Materials. Research in theoretical physics and cosmology has a particular focus on the interdisciplinary area of astro-particle physics and on LHC phenomenology, with strong links to CERN through an ERC Advanced Investigator Grant held by Prof Ellis.

• Entry requirements
• Research groups

Physics Education Research

The Physics Education Research (PER) group at King's College London was formed in 2021. Our group conducts evidence-based research on the delivery and learning of physics, including the student experience.

Biological Physics & Soft Matter

The Biological Physics and Soft Matter group aims to use bespoke technology and analytical methods borrowed from the Physical Sciences to address important fundamental questions in Biology.

Photonics & Nanotechnology

The research in the group involves the development and applications of advanced photonic technologies and of novel nanomaterials to address modern challenges in photonic and quantum technologies, new nanostructured materials, sensing, imaging and clean energy.

Theoretical Particle Physics & Cosmology

The research focus of the TPPC Group is on tests of new models of particle physics beyond the Standard Model, including supersymmetry, large extra dimensions and strings.

The aim of the EPAP group is to address some of the major open questions in our understanding of matter through the study of the nature of fundamental particles

Theory & Simulation of Condensed Matter

Research is focused on the theory of condensed matter, and in particular the development and application of advanced theoretical and modelling techniques suitable for the study of complex materials and molecular systems and processes.

Centre for Doctoral Studies

NMES Graduate School

A supportive and engaging environment for PhD students

Funding & Scholarships for PhD students

The Centre for Doctoral Studies helps secure funding for students...

NMES Graduate School: Virtual Open Event Session One

The NMES Graduate School Virtual Open Events for prospective postgraduate...

NMES Graduate School: Virtual Open Event Session Two

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Skip to Types of Funding | Fully-funded projects | CMP funded projects

Types of Funding available

Applications are invited for our Ph.D opportunities. The demands of materials physics require that we can only accept students of the highest calibre; applicants usually have, or expect to gain, a first class degree in Physics, Mathematics, Natural Sciences or other appropriate subject. They are then provided with an excellent generic training in science. Doctoral graduates from Durham are highly sought after. In addition to many of our students taking first-class academic/research positions around the world, many others have secured careers for example in scientific management, patent law, industrial research, consultancy and scientific advisory positions for institutions and governments.

Our post-graduate degree courses normally start in October, but it is possible to begin at any time.

We have EPSRC funded studentships available to students resident in the UK for the past three years. These cover tuition fees and pay a generous bursary to cover living expenses.

Details on tuition fees are available on the following University pages:

• Home and EU students (Full and Part-time)

International students: Durham has a long tradition of welcoming excellent students from all over the world. If you are thinking of applying to Durham University, of course you should look through these web-pages at the fabulous on-going research and training. Also try to speak with some of our alumni, they are our greatest ambassadors. The vast majority of international students bring their own scholarships with them - if you have your own scholarship and wish to be put in touch with a relevant alumni/a please include it on your application form.

We are currently updating the Ph.D. projects that are available for prospective students for 2016.

There are also a very limited number of University Studentships that are ferociously competitive. See Durham Doctoral Studentships link below:

Durham Doctoral Studentships

What is covered.

• A tuition fee-wavier at either the Home/EU or International rate;
• A tax-free maintenance grant set at the UK Research Councils' national rate, which in 2015/16 is £14,057; and

A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £1,000.

Typically 1 or 2 per year in Physics.

Typical entry qualifications

Fellowships are limited in number and very competitive so a first class degree or equivalent is the minimum required to have a good chance of success.

Eligibility

Open to all students.

Closing dates

Very early – usually the December of the year prior to entry.

More information

Student Financial Support Office

Fully funded studentships

Epsrc centre for doctoral training in soft matter for formulation and industrial innovation.

Fully funded four-year PhD studentships are available for graduates in physics, chemistry, food science, engineering, (applied) mathematics and related subjects to join the SOFI 2 CDT. Please see the SOFI CDT webpages for more details (applications open for 2023 cohort). https://soficdt.webspace.durham.ac.uk/how-to-apply/

Ph.D. Studentships: Superconductivity

Fully funded 3.5 or 4 year Ph.D. studentships are available with flexible start dates. For details see:

http://community.dur.ac.uk/superconductivity.durham/vacancies.html

CMP Funded PhD

Novel two-dimensional magnetic oxide system.

Correlated electron phenomena in solids are a major theme of physics in the 21st century. They have the potential to change our understanding of fundamental physics phenomena, to impact the technology significantly, and to provide new solutions to energy problems. Kroemer stated at the beginning of his Nobel lecture, “Often, it may be said that the interface is the device”. Novel phenomena and functionalities at artificial hetero-interfaces have been attracting extensive scientific attention in both material science and fundamental condensed matter physics for decades. Recently, a lot of studies suggest that complex oxide interfaces provide an even more powerful route to create and manipulate multiple degrees of freedom and suggest new possibilities for various applications. In this project, we will play a new twist to the traditional hetero-interface – inserting a monolayer of transition metal oxide to be sandwiched at the hetero-interfaces, which can exhibit even more intriguing phenomena and properties. Since the monolayer is a physically defined 2-D layer of atoms, differing from an interface region at the border of two layers, the sandwiched monolayer has its own intrinsic properties, which adds additional degrees of freedom and functionality to the system. The materials employed to sandwich the monolayer can be engineered to create certain electronic/magnetic/strain environments to the monolayer in between, which in turn can affect or induce new properties or novel functionalities to the monolayer.

In this project, we aim at designing and investigating the emergent novel physics phenomena and properties at a monolayer of transition metal oxide (e.g. MnO2, NiO2, CoO2, etc.) sandwiched in various perovskite and brownmillerite complex oxide heterostructures (e.g. SrTiO3, LaAlO3, SrCoO3-x, SrFeO3-x, etc.). Laser-molecular beam epitaxy and pulsed laser deposition will be employed to grow and construct the oxide heterostructures. We will study the topography and possible ferroelectric properties of the heterostructures with scanning probe microscopy-based techniques. To directly and specifically investigate the electronic and magnetic structure of the sandwiched monolayer, we will carry out our synchrotron soft x-ray absorption-based spectroscopy and microscopy techniques in multiple synchrotron facilities all around the world.

For information, please contact Dr. Qing (Helen) He: [email protected]

PhD Studentship in Soft Matter and Biological Physics

Deadline: 6th February 2023

Overview: Applications are invited for a PhD studentship in theoretical and computational soft matter and biological physics to work with Prof. Suzanne Fielding in the Department of Physics at Durham University.

Depending on the interests of the applicant, the project could be mainly computational or could combine numerics with analytical work.

Its overall aims will be to understand the deformation and flow behaviour of so-called yield stress materials, which keep their shape like solids at low loads, yet flow like a liquid at larger loads. One possible focus could be on the dynamical process whereby a material in an initially solid-like state firsts yields and starts to flow, and in particular on the statistical physics of how initially sparse plastic events in an otherwise elastic background then spatio-temporally cooperate to result in an emergent macroscopic flow.

Besides the immediate applications of this work to soft matter physics, and potentially also to the fracture mechanics of hard materials, yielding also governs geological processes such as landslides, avalanches and lava flows. It also determines the reshaping of biological tissue under the internal stresses caused by cell division, including during embryo development or tumour growth. Depending on the interests of the candidate, the project could develop a more specific focus on any of these particular areas of research.

The research will draw on concepts of statistical physics, nonlinear dynamical systems theory, fluid dynamics, solid mechanics and related fields.

Further details about Prof. Fielding’s research group can be found here, about the department here, and about the Durham Centre for Soft Matter here.

The department is committed to promoting diversity, and we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups.

For further information, please contact Prof Suzanne Fielding ( [email protected] , or the Senior Postgraduate Research Administrator ( [email protected] ).

For the full job information please see our advert at jobs.ac.uk | Suzanne Fielding's webpage .

Measurement of single molecule vibrational modes.

We have built a brand new Extraordinary Acoustic Raman Spectroscopy (EARS) experiment (believed to be the first in the UK and Europe). The method uses a bichromatic laser set up to allow single protein molecules to be optically trapped by a gold nanostructure and exposed to the GHz frequencies that will activate their global vibrational modes.

Figure1: The experimental set up for EARS showing the double-nanohole which traps protein molecules and allows energy at the beat frequency of two lasers to be transferred to the protein without absorption by the bulk water.

The beat frequency is swept over the GHz range to obtain a spectrum. Trapping events and binding or unfolding are detected in the Brownian fluctuations of the transmitted light. Removing the absorption of bulk water has a profound affect in enhancing the spectral precision as seen by a comparison of dielectric spectroscopy in this region and the EARS spectrum.

This project will use the precision laser technique to investigate how proteins interact with the water that surrounds them and how that interaction is modified by the presence of various biologically relevant ions in solution. The project will further aim to observe the vital functions of protein molecules including signally and self-assembly, and to understand the role of GHz vibrations in those functions. The project will involve collecting a range of spectra of proteins previously studied using other techniques in order to provide information for the development of more accurate elastic network models. These ENM models are used in a wide variety of applications including the prediction of binding affinities for drug discover pipelines and the search for novel protein conformations useful in the treatment of disease.

For further information, please contact Prof Beth Bromley ( [email protected] ), or the Senior Postgraduate Research Administrator ( [email protected] ).

School of Physics, Engineering and Technology

PhD in Physics

Our research community nurtures close to 150 research students, covering everything from nuclear physics and astrophysics to the physics of life. Join our rich and thriving academic community and deliver projects on key research areas in physics.

Your research

As a doctoral student, the focus of your work will be an independent research project.

You'll be part of one of our leading research groups, which bring together expertise in fields such as condensed matter and materials physics , nuclear physics , plasma and fusion science and technologies , physics of life , and quantum science and technologies .

[email protected] +44 (0)1904 322236

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Supervision

We encourage you to find out about our academics and get to know how their work and expertise fit your interests before applying. You will be supervised on a one-to-one basis by a member of academic staff and your progress will be continually guided by a supervisor and a thesis advisory panel.

Our academic staff are happy to answer any questions on their research interests or discuss a project you might have in mind.

Find a supervisor

Research excellence

Our physics research is ranked 13th in the UK according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).

Committed to equality

We are proud to hold an Athena Swan Silver award in recognition of the work we do to support gender equality in science.

Fantastic facilities

Gain access to our state-of-the-art research and laboratory spaces, working with world-renowned physicists to drive progress in science, industry and policy.

Training and support

Our research programmes combine training in specialist areas with wider scientific skills. We provide training which will equip you with skills in a wide range of research methods, supporting your growing expertise and enhancing your employability.

Alongside your research, taught modules will help you develop specialist skills and relate your project to developments in the field. You'll choose from a wide range of Masters and undergraduate modules in specialist areas to complement your research.

You'll also take part in a transferable skills programme, covering soft and hard skills.

Course location

This course is run by the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology.

You will be based on Campus West . Most of your training and supervision meetings will take place here, though your research may take you further afield.

Entry requirements

You should have, or expect to obtain, an MPhys degree at 2:1 or above, or an MSc in Physics.

We will also consider applicants with a Masters in a closely related field, applicants who have relevant industry experience, and applicants with a BSc at 2:1 or above where sufficient relevant experience can be demonstrated.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must provide evidence of your ability.

Careers and skills

Your PhD will help to extend your qualifications by training you to complete research in a specific area of experimental, computational or theoretical physics. You will become equipped with transferable skills around creativity and innovation, mathematics and problem solving to become an expert in your field, prepared for the next stage in your career.

Our dedicated careers team offer specific support including a programme of professional researcher development and careers workshops and 1:1 career support sessions. They will help you to build up your employability portfolio and to engage in activities that will build up your skills and experience within and outside of your research work.

Career opportunities

• Software developer
• Principal data scientist
• Product engineer
• Academic researcher
• Lecturer or teacher

Apply for this course

Apply for this course (Distance Learning)

Find your supervisor

Advertised research projects

If you are applying for an advertised research project, please include the project name in your application. You should contact the project leader in advance, who may also ask you to submit a full research proposal.  Advertised research projects may be funded or self-funded, as indicated in the advert.

Find a project

Research proposals

If you are not applying for a particular research project, you should contact the member of the academic staff you wish to work with, who may provide you with a research/project outline.

The research proposal needs to describe the nature of your proposed study and give some indication of how you will conduct your research. The purpose of this exercise is to ensure that you and your potential supervisor(s) have matching research interests. The proposal should be 250 to 350 words in length. It must be in English, and be your own words.

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Duration: 4 years full time

Institution code: R72

Campus: Egham

UK fees * : £4,786

International/EU fees ** : £23,400

The Physics department is a vibrant and dynamic centre for Physics research with research activity traceable back to the establishment of the institution in the late 1800s. Today we deliver our own individual research leadership and lead national and international research partnerships at the cutting-edge of the most exciting fields in physics. Our research portfolio is broad based and world-leading, ranging from theoretical and experimental work in fundamental curiosity driven research to developing practical solutions for today’s most important scientific and social problems.

Available in any research area, Doctoral Level study provides a career-defining qualification in research and development for academia or industry. Find out about staff and research project opportunities on our Physics page here:

From time to time, we make changes to our courses to improve the student and learning experience. If we make a significant change to your chosen course, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Research facilities and environment

Much of our research is carried out in collaboration with other leading universities and laboratories in Europe and worldwide, including CERN, the European Spallation Source, the National Physical Laboratory and high tech industry partners.

Strong funding support is provided by the leading national and international science funding agencies, including the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), Innovate UK, the European Commission and the Royal Society.

We also have joint PhD studentships with our research collaborations.

Research students in Physics join a lively research community and become fully involved in the research activities of the department, sharing their successes.

The main outcome of the degree is a piece of independent research presented in the form of a dissertation.

Entry requirements

A prior MSci qualification at 2(i) or 1st class in Physics, or MSc at Distinction level in Physics, is required for entry.

English language requirements

All teaching at Royal Holloway is in English. You will therefore need to have good enough written and spoken English to cope with your studies right from the start.

The scores we require

• IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
• Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
• Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
• TOEFL ib: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26.

Country-specific requirements

For more information about country-specific entry requirements for your country please see  here .

A PhD in Physics develops lifelong transferable skills that underpin any career, whether scientific, technological, managerial or unique.

Fees & funding

Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £4,786

EU and international students tuition fee per year**: £23,400

Other essential costs***: -

…How do I pay for it? Find out more about   funding options,   including loans, grants,   scholarships   and bursaries. 

* and ** These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2024/25.

* Please note that for research courses, we adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home   tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry.   For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee please see the   UKRI website.

** This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2024/25.   

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually, based on the UK’s Retail Price Index (RPI). Please therefore be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration), and that this also means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year. For further information, please see our  terms and conditions .

***   These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2024/25 academic year and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included. 

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Get help paying for your studies at Royal Holloway through a range of scholarships and bursaries.

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Find out why Royal Holloway is in the top 25% of UK universities for research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

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Discover world-class research at Royal Holloway.

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We’ve played a role in thousands of careers, some of them particularly remarkable.

Find about our decision-making processes and the people who lead and manage Royal Holloway today.

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Particle Physics PhD

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Particle Physics

Upcoming Introduction to Postgraduate Study and Research events

Join us online on the 19th June or 26th June to learn more about studying and researching at Edinburgh.

Choose your event and register

Research profile

Exploring nature at the tiniest scale, the Particle Physics group seeks to add to our understanding of the make-up of our universe.

By joining our research group, you will be following in the footsteps of our celebrated emeritus professor, Peter Higgs, whose groundbreaking Higgs mechanism has excited the world of physics for decades and has been the focus of operations at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.

You will also have the opportunity to confer and work with some of the greatest minds in physics today, through our links with leading conferences and international facilities.

Our research group works in two areas: Theory and Experiment.

Particle Physics – Theory

This research concerns fundamental physics at all energy scales, from hadronic binding energy to the massive forces at play in the first instants of the universe’s existence.

We collaborate with leading facilities, such as the Large Hadron Collider at CERN and the WMAP and Planck satellites.

Our current research explores developments in both perturbative and non-perturbative field theory, renormalization theory and the application of quantum theory to other branches of physics, such as turbulence theory and condensed matter systems.

Particle Physics – Experiment

We look to understand the fundamental particles of nature and the interactions that govern their behaviour.

In particular, from understanding the symmetries present in the universe, we seek to explain the dominance of matter over anti-matter, and mechanisms of symmetry-breaking that led to the creation of mass via the Higgs boson and non-Standard Model particles.

Researchers from our group are working on two experiments at the Large Hadron Collider, the LHCb experiment and the ATLAS experiment.

Training and support

In addition to research, our students attend a wide range of lectures and participate in international conferences.

Studentship opportunities

The Particle Physics group offers prospective PhD students exciting opportunities to study at the very frontier of understanding. Fully funded studentships are available for a wide range of theoretical and experimental projects, plus opportunities to travel to CERN for long and short visits.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in physics.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

• Academic Technology Approval Scheme

If you are not an EU , EEA or Swiss national, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.

Fees and costs

Tuition fees, scholarships and funding, featured funding.

• Research Council Studentships
• Research scholarships for international students

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK's governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Graduate School Administrator
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 5812
• Contact: [email protected]
• School of Physics & Astronomy
• James Clerk Maxwell Building
• Peter Guthrie Tait Road
• The King's Buildings Campus
• Programme: Particle Physics
• School: Physics & Astronomy
• College: Science & Engineering

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD Physics - 3 Years (Full-time)

Application deadlines.

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

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PhD in Physics

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PhD in Physics (3+ years)

The majority of postgraduate students (about 110 are accepted each year) carry out research at the Cavendish Laboratory towards a PhD degree.

For admission to the PhD, the Postgraduate Admissions Office normally requires applicants to have achieved the equivalent of a UK Masters (Pass) . Applicants should obtain the equivalent of:

• at least a 2:i in a UK four-year "undergraduate Master's" (Honours) degree,  OR
• at least a 2:i in a UK three-year Bachelor's (Honours) degree plus a relevant one/two -year UK Master's degree.

All applicants are assessed individually on the basis of their academic records.

Full-time students must spend at least three terms of residence in Cambridge and nine terms of research. If you are undertaking a placement or internship away from Cambridge for more than two weeks you need to apply for leave to work away.

Final examination involves the submission of a thesis of not more than 60,000 words followed by an oral examination (or viva) of the thesis and the general field of physics into which it falls.

Successful applicants are assigned to a research supervisor, a specialist in part or all of the student's chosen research field, and joins a research group which might vary in size between 4 and 80 individuals. Although the supervisor is responsible for the progress of a student's research programme, the extent to which a postgraduate student is assisted by the supervisor or by other members of the group depends almost entirely on the structure and character of the group concerned. The research field is normally determined at entry, after consideration of the student's interests and facilities available.

A list of current research projects is published and available on the  research pages  of our website, and more detailed information about specific research areas can be obtained from the relevant academic staff. The student, however, may work within a given field for a period of time before his or her personal topic is determined.

There is no requirement by the University of attendance at formal courses of lectures for the PhD. Postgraduate work is largely a matter of independent research and successful postgraduates require a high degree of self-motivation. Nevertheless, lectures and classes may be arranged, and students are expected to attend both seminars (delivered regularly by members of the University and by visiting scholars and industrialists) and external conferences. In addition, postgraduate students carry out first- and second-year physics undergraduate supervision and assist with practical work and theoretical examples classes in the Department.

Lectures within all the faculties of the University are open to any member of the University, and a physics postgraduate student has the opportunity of attending lectures not only within the undergraduate Physics and Theoretical Physics course, but also in any other subject area or faculty.

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PhDs in Science and Engineering

Offer holders

HELLO TOMORROW

Cdts recruiting this september.

Fully-funded places in Centres for Doctoral Training for nuclear energy and AI.

A Manchester PhD could change your tomorrow.

This is the place where the atom was split, graphene was discovered and AI was born. It could be your home too.

Whether you're interested in a CDT, an MPhil, a PhD, Eng D or MSc by Research, this page will take you through the process of becoming a Manchester postgraduate researcher, from finding your research passion, to knowing how it’ll be funded.

Right, let’s start your tomorrow.

Choose your own path

Join a global institution where you can choose between full or part time projects, develop transferable skills, accelerate your career and forge the future you want.

Innovate and create

Our postgraduate researchers work at the cutting-edge of research, making important breakthroughs, big and small, as we build a better future together.

A different place

Enjoy life in a multicultural city, that people who think differently are proud to call home, and feel you belong as part of our diverse research community.

World leading facilities

We’re home to some of the best facilities in the world, from the biggest electrical infrastructure test facility in UK academia, to the only in-land wave tank in the UK.

Discover your tomorrow

Get ready for a life changing experience like no other.

Ours is a diverse community, with talented researchers from different countries, cultures, backgrounds and beliefs, where everyone is welcome. That's why we've got flexible pathways to support you, whatever your background or career stage. Hear from current postgraduate researchers and discover more about PhD life at Manchester.

Getting started

Is postgraduate research at manchester for you.

At Manchester we actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds, and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

We're looking for postgraduate researchers that not only meet our entry requirements but also possess key attributes and characteristics which we think make an excellent Manchester researcher.

Before you start your journey, use our eligibility checker to discover whether you've got what it takes to become a postgraduate researcher in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Manchester.

Check your eligibility

Join our newsletter

Sign-up to our newsletter and receive monthly updates and tips on applying for postgraduate research in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

• Find out about the latest featured and live projects
• Be the first to hear about newly launched funding opportunities and events
• Listen to advice and tips from currently postgraduate researchers and our support teams
• And much more

Choose your research area

What inspires you.

Your tomorrow should be built on your research passion. Start your PhD journey by finding the research project that best suits you.

Browse across our  nine Departments and research areas ,  innovative Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) , and international joint and dual awards . Alternatively, head straight to  our project search  to find all of our live advertised projects, or to our  supervisor search  to start by finding a suitable supervisor.

Browse by department and research theme

Already know which area you want to research?

Learn more about the research themes and vast range of expertise in each of our nine Departments, and browse live projects for each area:

• Chemical Engineering - including catalysis and porous materials; process integration; and sustainable industrial systems.
• Chemistry - including biotechnology; inorganic, materials, organic, physical, and theoretical chemistry disciplines.
• Computer Science - including computer systems engineering; data engineering; and software systems engineering.
• Earth and Environmental Sciences - including atmospheric sciences; ecology and evolution; palaeontology; and planetary science.
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering - including specialist programme options in electrical and electronic engineering.
• Materials - including biomaterials; fashion management and marketing; metallurgy and corrosion; nanomaterials; and textiles and apparel.
• Mathematics - including applied maths; financial maths; mathematical logic; probability; pure mathematics; and statistics.
• Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering - including environmental engineering; management of projects, and nuclear engineering.
• Physics and Astronomy - including accelerator, nuclear and particle physics; astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology; condensed matter, atomic and biological physics; theoretical physics.

Browse all live projects

Want to search projects across the Faculty of Science and Engineering?

Simply head over to our project search to browse live projects from across the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and find a project you're passionate about.

Search live projects

Centres for Doctoral Training

Want to combine research with practical training and collaborate across research areas and institions?

Find out more about our Centres for Doctoral Training which offer fully funded PhDs in a range of research areas including advanced biomedical materials, graphene, integrated catalysis, and nuclear energy.

Explore doctoral training

Dual and joint awards

Want to carry out some of your research in a different country?

Discover more about our dual and joint award partnerships with prestigious universities across the world, and opportunities to research in both Manchester and Australia, China, Japan, or India.

Browse joint and dual awards

Found a project you're passionate about and ready to apply? Get started with your application right here.

Find a supervisor

Where to start.

Getting in touch with a potential supervisor for your project is a crucial part of your PhD journey.

• Tell you more about a project and the team you could work with.
• Nominate you for one of our funding scholarships.
• Sponsor your proposed research idea.
• Support you at every stage of your research journey.

Search for researchers by name or area of research

Found a supervisor and spoken to them about supporting you and your application for postgraduate research? Get started with your application right here.

Fund your research

Find the funding you need.

There are lots of ways you can secure funding for your postgraduate research.

Depending on the project you're applying for and when you're applying, there are a range of options available to you:

• Funded projects - when browsing projects filter your search by 'Funding Status' and check the 'Funding' section to see whether the project itself is already funded.
• University, Faculty and Department funding - if the project you're interested in isn't funded, use our funding database below to browse scholarships and awards which you may be eligible to apply for, or speak to our admissions team or your supervisor about other potential sources of funding.
• Self-funded or government sponsored projects - if you're self-funded or government funded then we'll need to see proof of funds or a letter from your sponsor when you apply.

Search our funding database

Additional funding support.

Funded projects and scholarships aren’t the only ways you can fund your postgraduate research.

• Postgraduate loans – you might qualify for a non-means tested loan from the UK Government. Paid directly to you, these re-payable loans contribute towards the cost of your study.
• Funding for students with disabilities – talk to our Disability Support Office about the external sources of financial support that might be available.
• Work while you study – our schools and faculties offer additional opportunities to supplement your income, including tutoring and graduate teaching assistant roles.

Thought about how you'd like to fund your postgraduate research and all set to apply? Get started with your application right here.

Meet our researchers

Hello charlotte.

"I really love just walking around Manchester; there’s something for everyone here."

Hear how Charlotte balances her research, teaching and life in a city she calls home.

Meet Charlotte

Hello Toufic

"Life as a postgraduate researcher varies."

Toufic tells us about the ups and downs of his research and how he's taking advantage of the industry links at the University.

Meet Toufic

"Manchester really stood out for me because there are so many world leading projects going on here."

Jie tells us about her research and the opportunities she's discovering.

Why Manchester?

Your future starts here.

A brilliant campus, at the heart of the UK's most liveable city.

Discover our campus

Explore the city

What's next?

Progress your application.

So, you've found a research area to focus on, and a supervisor to support you. You also know how you want to fund your project. But what's next?

1. Check the specific entry requirements and tuition fees for your programme in our  course profile section .

2. Read our short guide to what you'll need to start your application.

3. Make sure you have all of your information to hand before you start the form. Use our application checklist to tick off everything you need.

4. Complete our online application form

Your application checklist

Start your new tomorrow.

Not long to go now...the final step is your application.

Before you apply, remember that your application is more likely to be successful if you have already made contact with potential supervisors , to find out if they are able to offer supervision in your area of interest.

Apply for an advertised project or CDT

You won’t need to submit a research proposal, you'll just need the relevant project title and supervisor(s).

Apply for your own research project

You’ll need to submit your research proposal and the name of the supervisor/s you have identified as part of your application.

Got a question? We're here to help!

Not sure where to start or got a question about applying, funding or something else?

Chat to our friendly application team today

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Physics PhD/MRes

• Full-time: Up to 4 years
• Part-time: Up to 8 years
• Start date: Multiple available for PhD/September for MRes
• UK fees: £5,100
• International fees: £28,600

Research overview

Join one of UK's leading physics and astronomy schools. 98% of our research is classed as ‘world-leading’ (4*) or ‘internationally excellent’ (3*) by the the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

We conduct internationally leading research in a wide range of experimental and theoretical areas of physics and astronomy. Explore our research groups below to see what opportunities we can offer.

Research groups:

• Cold Atoms and Quantum Optics
• Condensed Matter Theory
• Experimental Condensed Matter and Nanoscience
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Particle Cosmology

Your PhD will be about conducting original research in an area of your choice under the supervision of academic staff members. You will be encouraged to participate in national and international conferences to present your work, and you will be supported in submitting your results for publication in scientific journals. You will participate in seminars and be part of the vibrant research community of our School.

Course content

Your PhD will be in an area of research you have chosen. Alongside this, you will do research training modules. The school and the Graduate School deliver these.

This formal training element is designed to provide you with transferable skills in writing and oral presentation needed to support your PhD. These modules can be tailored to your needs.

An MRes is a one-year course which combines a research project with 40 credits of taught modules. See below for example modules. 

You can also take up to 20 optional credits of generic training taken in the  Midlands Physics Alliance Graduate School (MPAGS) and/or the Researcher Academy.

Modules are taught by academic staff.

Example modules

In this module we will learn how physicists can harness the health benefits of using radiation, as well as measuring and controlling levels of radiation in the environment or therapy.

This module develops a range of modern astronomical techniques through student-centered approaches to topical research problems. You’ll cover a range of topics related to ongoing research in astronomy and astrophysics, and will encompass theoretical and observational approaches. This module is based on individual and group student-led activities involving the solution of topical problems including written reports and exercises, and a project.

This module will extend previous work in the areas of atomic and optical physics to cover modern topics in the area of quantum effects in light-matter interactions. Some basic material will be introduced in six staff-led seminars and you’ll have around two hours of lectures and student-led workshops each week. 

This module aims to provide you with a working knowledge of the basic techniques of image processing.

The major topics covered will include:

• acquisition of images
• image representation
• resolution and quantization
• image compression
• on-Fourier enhancement techniques

You’ll spend around four hours in lectures, eight hours in seminars and have a one-hour tutorial each week. 

This module introduces you to the key ideas behind modern approaches to our understanding of the role of inflation in the early and late universe, in particular through the formation of structure, the generation of anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background radiation, and the origin of dark energy. You’ll study through a series of staff lectures and student-led workshops.

You will complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words, with expert support and advice from your academic supervisor(s). You will also take a verbal examination called a viva voce where you explain your project in depth to an examination panel.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our  Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us .

Use our  research webpages  and  staff  listings to find a research topic that we work on. In your application, you should tell us which area of physics you want to do a PhD in. You don't need to do a research proposal. 

We accept applications all year round for some groups but you may want to check specific deadlines with your supervisor or prospective funder.

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice .

As a student on this course, we do not anticipate any extra significant costs, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. You should be able to access most of the books and journals you’ll need through our libraries. 

UK applicants

Each year we offer a number of competitive funded places from a variety of funding sources. Some of these will be advertised on the  University's studentships page .  

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

You'll be integrated into the school's research community as a member of your research group. You can also take part in research seminars and colloquia given by visiting speakers.

You will have at least 10 meetings per year with your supervisor.

Researcher training and development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Student support

You will have access to a range of support services , including:

• academic and disability support
• childcare services
• counselling service
• faith support
• financial support
• mental health and wellbeing support
• visa and immigration advice
• welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer .

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

• international students
• black and minority ethnic students
• students who identify as women
• students with disabilities
• LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

Where you will learn

University park campus.

University Park Campus  covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route . Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Many of our research students continue with an academic career. This may start with a postdoctoral research role. Others move into research within a company.

Outside of research, physics graduates can work in finance, energy, technology or science journalism to name a few.

100% of postgraduates from the School of Physics and Astronomy secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £28.997.*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022 . The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on data from graduates who completed a full-time postgraduate degree with home fee status and are working full-time within the UK.

Related courses

Mathematics phd, computer science phd, research excellence framework.

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

• We're ranked joint 3rd of all the physics departments in the UK (overall, institutions ranked by subject)
• 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
• 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
• 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.

This content was last updated on 10 October 2023 . Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.

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Current PhD Opportunities

Our PhDs are organised by our research groups. For more information on each of these groups, please visit the Research section.

Observational Astrophysics

Professor Isobel Hook

Description

Dark energy is often invoked as the cause of the accelerating expansion of the universe, but its nature remains unknown. Several new telescopes and surveys will soon address this issue. This PhD project aims to advance the use of Type Ia supernovae as distance indicators for cosmology, using a combination of simulations and data from these new telescopes. Specifically, the student will work on surveys with the Rubin Observatory, ESA's Euclid mission and/or 4MOST (the 4meter Multi-Object Spectrograph Telescope). These surveys will detect tens of thousands of new supernovae and their host galaxies with a range of imaging and spectroscopic observations at optical and near-infrared wavelengths. The project will start by working with collaborators to prepare for and collect the new datasets. The first dataset available is from the Euclid mission, which was launched in July 2023 and is now producing spectacular images that will be used to search for supernovae. As the dataset increases in size, the project will move towards searching for statistical correlations among various properties of the supernovae and their environments. This information will be used to improve the accuracy of Type Ia supernova distance measurements, and hence ultimately improve constraints on the nature of Dark Energy.

Please contact Professor Isobel Hook for further information. This PhD project represents just one component of the research performed by the wider Astrophysics group at Lancaster University. Our PhD projects are offered on a competitive basis and are subject to availability of funding. For more general information about PhD study in Physics at Lancaster please contact our postgraduate admissions staff at [email protected] .

Dr John Stott

Galaxy clusters are the largest gravitationally bound objects in the Universe, consisting of tens to thousands of galaxies within a relatively small volume. They are used extensively as laboratories for galaxy evolution, as they contain galaxies that have experienced a similar environment and processes over many billions of years. They are also key cosmological indicators with the evolution of the number of galaxy clusters of a given mass being very sensitive to the Dark Matter content of the Universe. Because of their importance for both astrophysics and cosmology it is desirable to obtain large, well understood samples of galaxy clusters over a range of redshifts. The Legacy Survey of Space and Time ( LSST , is an imaging survey performed with the Rubin Observatory that will discover thousands of new galaxy clusters, providing such a sample. It will image the entire southern sky with an 8.4m telescope every few nights for 10 years, producing 200 petabytes of imaging data. This will be the state-of-the-art for optical surveys for many years to come.

This project aims to further develop pre-existing algorithms and machine learning code to identify large numbers of distant galaxy clusters within the LSST survey. These algorithms will be run on existing comparable, but smaller area surveys, and the early-phase of LSST that will begin operation in 2022. The algorithms will be designed so that they can be scaled-up to deal efficiently with the full size of the main LSST survey. The cluster samples generated here will also be used to study the evolution of galaxies in dense environments and potentially cosmology.

Please contact Dr John Stott for further information. This PhD project represents just one component of the research performed by the wider Astrophysics group at Lancaster University. Our PhD projects are offered on a competitive basis and are subject to availability of funding. For more general information about PhD study in Physics at Lancaster please contact our postgraduate admissions staff at [email protected] .

As the Universe ages, galaxies find themselves drawn together into filaments, groups and clusters. Galaxies entering these dense environments can experience processes which ultimately lead to a dramatic change in their appearance and internal properties. This project will discover how galaxies are transformed (`quenched’) from blue star-forming spiral discs (like our own Milky Way) into passive red elliptical galaxies, through interactions with their environment.

This PhD project will be a detailed study of galaxy transformation with environment, comparing those in massive galaxy clusters to the low density "field" environment. You will use spectroscopy and imaging from Hubble Space Telescope, Very Large Telescope, Subaru telescope and the revolutionary Legacy Survey of Space and Time ( LSST ). The results of this project will be physically interpreted through comparison with the outputs from state-of-the-art cosmological simulations of galaxy formation.

Dr Julie Wardlow

Luminous submillimetre-selected galaxies (SMGs) and dusty star-forming galaxies (DSFGs) are distant galaxies that are undergoing immense bursts of star formation, with typical star-formation rates of hundreds to thousands of times that of our Milky Way. These extreme systems likely represent a key phase in the formation of massive local elliptical galaxies and even 20 years after their discovery they continue to challenge theories of galaxy evolution.

This PhD project aims to reveal both the small-scale and large-scale environments of SMGs. Using data from facilities including Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA) and ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) the project will examine whether the extreme star formation in SMGs is triggered by mergers and interactions with nearby companions. We will also study whether SMGs reside in protoclusters, which is expected for the progenitors of local massive elliptical galaxies. The results of these observational analyses will be used to test theories of the formation and evolution of submillimetre galaxies, and probe whether they are caused by galaxy-galaxy mergers as some simulations suggest.

Please contact Dr Julie Wardlow for further information. This PhD project represents just one component of the research performed by the wider Astrophysics group at Lancaster University. Our PhD projects are offered on a competitive basis and are subject to the availability of funding. For more general information about PhD study in Physics at Lancaster please contact our postgraduate admissions staff at [email protected] .

Dr Brooke Simmons

Galaxies build up their complex structures over billions of years via a diverse set of processes, including interactions with other galaxies and more solitary in-situ processes. The vast majority of galaxies also host a central supermassive black hole, and these black holes accrete and grow via processes that correlate their masses with the properties of their host galaxies. Some of the most fundamental questions about these processes are not yet answered, such as: how important are galaxy mergers to the co-evolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes? By what processes can a supermassive black hole accrete enough material to sustain the observed range of luminosities at which we observe them? How important is AGN feedback to galaxy evolution? With the latest generation of telescopes and high-resolution cosmological models, we are starting to answer these questions.

Investigation of these topics during a PhD project will involve data reduction and analysis of multiwavelength, multi-channel observational data, including spectroscopy and images from the Hubble Space Telescope and JWST. A key aim is to isolate and analyse the "merger-free" channel of black hole and galaxy growth, via galaxy morphological indicators. This will involve hands-on work with large datasets as well as working with and writing code. The student will join multiple established, productive communities, such as the Galaxy Zoo project. They will likely also have the opportunity to gain hands-on observing experience at world-class telescopes. This project is subject to availability of funding.

Please contact Dr Brooke Simmons for further information. This PhD project represents just one component of the research performed by the wider Astrophysics group at Lancaster University. Our PhD projects are offered on a competitive basis and are subject to availability of funding. For more general information about PhD study in Physics at Lancaster please contact our postgraduate admissions staff at [email protected] .

The first images of the early Universe from JWST have raised at least as many questions as they have answered about galaxy evolution. Further upcoming missions and surveys promise to do the same. Why are disk galaxies so common at high redshift? How do they grow to the masses at which they are observed, and how do we expect them to evolve to later times? For example, could they be the progenitors of galaxies like the Milky Way? How do we reliably identify disk galaxies and galaxies with other dynamical and morphological configurations in the large datasets provided by upcoming surveys?

Investigation of these topics during a PhD project will involve analysis of multiwavelength, multi-channel observational data. This will include hands-on work with large datasets as well as working with and writing code. The student will join multiple established, productive communities, such as the Galaxy Zoo project. The student will have the opportunity to lead a data release of a morphological sample from at least one of the latest generation of surveys (e.g. from JWST, Euclid, or LSST, depending on timing and student interest). It is likely this will involve machine learning techniques, as well as combining machine classification predictions with citizen science classifications. The student will likely also have the opportunity to gain hands-on observing experience at world-class telescopes. This project is subject to availability of funding.

Dr Samantha Oates

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are brief, intense flashes of gamma-rays that are accompanied by longer lasting emission in the X-ray to radio wavelengths. The duration of the gamma-ray emission may be as short as a few milliseconds or may last for as long as a few hundred seconds, during which the GRB ‘out-shines’ all objects in the known universe.

GRBs are divided, based on the duration of their gamma-ray emission, into two classes 'long' and 'short', which are associated, respectively, with the collapse of massive stars or the mergers of two compact objects (either two neutron stars or a neutron star and black hole). Short GRBs have been associated with gravitational waves.

The search for the electromagnetic counterpart (EM), the GRB afterglow or kilonova, of gravitational wave (GW) events has lead to large areas of sky being observed leading to the detection of a variety of serendipitous optical/UV transients that are considered contaminants from EM searches to GW events, which may be interesting transients in their own right.

Some open questions in this area of research are: What are the environments GRBs explode into? What are the central engines and the structure of the jets? Have GRBs or their environments evolved with cosmological time? Can GRBs and their correlations be useful as cosmological probes? What are the optical/UV contaminants in the searches for the EM counterparts to GWs? The PhD student will have the opportunity to explore these types of questions. They will be able to join international collaborations such as Swift, LSST, STARGATE, and ENGRAVE.

Please contact Dr Samantha Oates for further information. This PhD project represents just one component of the research performed by the wider Astrophysics group at Lancaster University. Our PhD projects are offered on a competitive basis and are subject to availability of funding. For more general information about PhD study in Physics at Lancaster please contact our postgraduate admissions staff at [email protected] .

Dr Mathew Smith

The Universe is currently undergoing a period of rapid accelerated expansion. This discovery, suggesting that 75% of the energy budget of the Universe is unexplained represents the biggest mystery in physics today. Type Ia supernova, as bright, highly homogenous, explosions, are excellent measures of distance. Visible to vast distances, these cosmic light-bulbs are ideal measures of how the size and content of the Universe has evolved over the last 10 billion years. This PhD project aims to expand the use of these events to probe new aspects of cosmology.

Specifically, the student will exploit data collected by the international Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) collaboration to maximise our understanding of type Ia supernova to produce a detailed 3D map of the nearby Universe. This project represents a leap forward in this field; more than ten thousand discoveries are now made each year, compared to several hundred collected in the last twenty. The student will develop machine learning tools to separate type Ia supernovae from other variable sources, and search for statistical correlations that can improve the measured distance to each event. The student will work closely with a team of international researchers in France, Germany, Sweden, Ireland and the USA to measure the 3D distribution of matter which will improve our understanding of Dark Energy and General Relativity.

Lancaster University has a leading role in multiple state-of-the-art supernova experiments including DES, LSST, 4MOST, Euclid and JWST. As the PhD develops, the student will be encouraged to join and collaborate on projects based upon their own interests.

Please contact Dr Mathew Smith for further information. This PhD project represents just one component of the research performed by the wider Astrophysics group at Lancaster University. Our PhD projects are offered on a competitive basis and are subject to availability of funding. For more general information about PhD study in Physics at Lancaster please contact our postgraduate admissions staff at [email protected] .

Theoretical Particle Cosmology

Theoretical particle cosmology phd projects accordion, project supervisor.

Professor Konstantinos Dimopoulos

The project aims to investigate Cosmic Inflation and Dark Energy in the context of cutting-edge fundamental theories (e.g. string theory, modified gravity etc.) by contrast to existing and forthcoming observations (e.g. of the CMB radiation, Primordial Gravitational Waves etc.), thereby providing insights into the theoretical background and also on the tensions experienced by the current standard model of Cosmology (ΛCDM). The project will explore novel ideas about modelling Cosmic Inflation and Dark Energy, using both analytical and numerical techniques. The objective will be to develop new realistic models that will offer concrete predictions to be tested in the near future. Examples are, Quintessential Inflation , which considers that both Cosmic Inflation and Dark Energy are driven by a single degree of freedom in a common theoretical framework, the production of Primordial Black Holes by Cosmic inflation, which can be the Dark Matter, or the seeds of galactic supermassive black holes, and can also be employed to reheat the Universe, the generation of enhanced Primordial Gravitational Waves during a stiff period in the Universe history, which may follow Cosmic Inflation, and could be seen by the LISA space interferometer and so on. Questions of the initial conditions of Cosmic Inflation itself, either from spacetime foam or after a bounce, and also of the ultimate, possibly cataclysmic fate of the Universe as determined by Dark Energy might also be studied.

The Physics Department is the holder of an Athena SWAN Silver award and JUNO Championship status and is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our department.

• Applying for postgraduate study

Space and Planetary Physics

Professor Jim Wild

Magnetospheric dynamics at Earth are primarily driven by coupling between the magnetised solar wind and the magnetospheric magnetic field and plasma. This coupling is highly variable and strongly controlled by the relative orientation of the interplanetary and magnetospheric magnetic fields.

Many studies have revealed that the magnetosphere has a non-linear response to solar wind drivers. During periods of enhanced solar wind driving, magnetospheric activity ceases to increase in line with increasing driving conditions, an effect known as “saturation”. Several physical mechanisms for this effect have been proposed, but no consensus has been reached over the cause. Recently, it has also been suggested that the saturation effect is not real, but an artefact of uncertainties in the propagation of upstream measurements from the L1 position (the gravitational equilibrium position located on the Sun-Earth line, approximately 1.5 million kilometres upstream of the Earth). It is also noted that the magnetospheric response to solar wind drivers observed at L1 can be highly variable. Sometimes a given set of driving conditions results in significantly higher levels of magnetospheric activity than at other times. The reasons for this are not wholly understood, but some of the variability is likely to be caused by uncertainties in the propagation of upstream measurements from L1 to the Earth leading the wrong solar wind driving conditions to be associated with the observed magnetospheric response.

In this project, the student shall exploit measurements made by the ESA Cluster spacecraft, to confirm or discount the non-linear response of the system to interplanetary drivers. The 20+ year Cluster dataset is the product of decades of UKRI/UKSA investment and represents an invaluable scientific resource. Cluster measurements in the solar wind and magnetosheath (within 20 R E of the Earth) will enable the student to examine driver/response relationships in more detail and with less uncertainly than has previously been possible.

As a PhD student in Lancaster’s Space and Planetary Physics (SPP) group you will conduct cutting-edge research in the company of world-leading scientists. You will develop and exploit skills in computer-based data analysis and interpretation of satellite data products. To facilitate this will receive a programme of training in the scientific and technical background required to conduct your research, and in the written and oral presentation skills required to disseminate your results to the international scientific community and general audiences. Applicants should hold a minimum of a UK honours Degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in a subject such as Physics or Geophysics.

Professor Adrian Grocott

Magnetospheric dynamics involves the study of the dynamic behaviour of, and processes that occur within, the Earth's magnetosphere. This fascinating field of research encompasses a wide range of phenomena, including the interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field, the formation and dynamics of the magnetopause, the generation of geomagnetic storms and substorms, magnetic reconnection events, and the effects of space weather on the magnetosphere. Studying for a PhD at the nexus of space and ground-based observations, you will use a variety of observational and theoretical tools to unravel the complex nature of the plasma flows within Earth's magnetosphere, contributing to our broader understanding of space physics and its impact on our planet. You will explore the dynamic interplay between Earth and space using a synergistic approach, combining satellite data with ground-based observations. As part of this innovative research endeavour, you will have access to cutting-edge observations, collaborate with leading experts, and contribute to advancing our comprehension of the fundamental forces shaping Earth's space environment. If you possess a passion for space physics, geophysics or related fields, seize this opportunity to expand the frontiers of space science at one of the leading physics departments in the country.

The successful candidate should hold a minimum of a UK MPhys Degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in a Physics-based subject. The candidate is expected to successfully work as part of a team, and to complete research suitable for the award of a PhD in Physics, including publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.

Please contact Professor Adrian Grocott for further information.

Dr Licia Ray

Soft x-rays are emitted when highly stripped solar wind ions interact with neutrals in the local space environment. Planetary magnetosheaths, the boundary layers between a planet’s magnetopause and bow shock, are rife with such interactions. In this project, you will characterise Uranus’s magnetosheath x-ray signature.

This fascinating problem has many aspects to consider. First, the abundance of neutral material in Uranus’s local environment is not well understood, with the moon source rates based on the Voyager fly-by. Furthermore, Uranus’s magnetic field is offset and tilted with respect to the planet’s spin axis, with the planet tilted nearly 90 degrees with respect to the ecliptic. The orbiting moons, and any neutral material they emit, rotate in the equatorial plane. This means that the orientation of the solar wind and magnetosheath with respect to neutral clouds with vary with season. The cusps are likely to present interesting flow channels that may enhance emission.

This work is highly topical due to interest in ice giant orbiters. One goal would be to test the viability of an x-ray imager at outer planet systems with later stages of the work extending the study to the Neptunian system. Applicants should hold a minimum of a UK honours degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in a Physics-related subject. Candidates are expected to successfully work as part of a team and to complete research suitable for award of a PhD in Physics. Comfort with coding is beneficial.

The interaction between a planet’s ionosphere, thermosphere, and magnetosphere is highly complex. Angular momentum and energy are exchanged between the three regions through a variety of processes, all mediated by the magnetic field. This project is broad with the applicant encouraged to explore the aspect of the magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system that is most interesting to them. Possible routes forward are:

• Exploring the coupling between Jupiter’s mid-latitude regions – The thermosphere above Jupiter’s Great Red Spot (GRS) indicates that the atmosphere is warmer than the local surroundings. One possible cause for this heating is joule heating associated with GRS flows forcing the upper atmosphere. Is it possible for the GRS to drive conjugate heating in the northern hemisphere? To what extent can conjugate heating explain the higher than expected temperatures in Jupiter’s thermosphere?
• Investigating particle acceleration above Jupiter’s atmosphere – Analyse output from a numerical model of particle acceleration above Jupiter’s atmosphere to determine how electric field siphon ionospheric particles outwards as well as channelling magnetospheric particles into the atmosphere.

This work is highly topical as Juno is currently in orbit at Jupiter. A successful project would compare model output to the most recent mission results. Applicants should hold a minimum of a UK honours degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in a Physics-related subject. Candidates are expected to successfully work as part of a team and to complete research suitable for award of a PhD in Physics. Comfort with coding is beneficial.

Experimental Particle Physics

Dr Harald Fox

The discovery of the Higgs Boson in 2012 showed us the principle way how the breaking of the electroweak symmetry is realised in nature. However, several aspects of that mechanism are still being investigated. Two examples are the matter – anti-matter symmetry (CP) of the new Higgs boson, and the existence of further bosons in addition to the Higgs. At Lancaster we are analysing ATLAS data collected at the LHC in the hadronic di-tau final state.

The di-tau final state is the most accessible final state where the Higgs boson couples to fermions directly. This signal allows us to measure the CP properties of the Higgs boson. The Standard Model predicts a CP-even scalar Higgs with no CP violation in the production or decay. On the other hand, we know that there is not enough CP violation in the quark sector of the Standard Model to explain the existence of the universe. Observation of a new source of CP violation is hence necessary. Measuring the Higgs couplings and its CP properties is hence an important test for the Standard Model.

While the existence of the Higgs boson confirms the electroweak phase transition via a symmetry breaking potential, the shape of the potential and the exact nature of the mechanism is not constrained by theory or measurements so far. We use the di-tau final state to search for additional scalars to test models of the phase transition.

High Energy Physics

High energy phds accordion.

Dr Karim Massri

Lepton Flavour Universality (LFU) is a pillar of the Standard Model (SM) that implies equal interaction strength for particles from different lepton families, as the electron and the muon. Several recent experimental results in particle physics seem to suggest possible LFU violation, which is predicted by many Beyond the Standard Model (BSM) scenarios.

Kaons, the lightest particles containing the “strange” quark, provide an outstanding way of searching for BSM physics via precise measurements. Experimental studies of decays of strange and light quarks is a very active field of research, and significant progress is expected over the next decade.

The NA62 experiment at CERN, a multi-purpose experiment investigating rare kaon decays, is the flagship of the European kaon physics programme and a leader in this field worldwide. NA62 has been operational since 2016 and will continue to collect data at least until 2025. Due to a uniquely intense kaon beam provided by the CERN accelerator complex and a range of state-of-the-art detectors, a variety of stringent SM tests can be performed within the NA62 experiment. In particular, the Lancaster group is leading the analysis of leptonic kaon decays to obtain the most-precise LFU test in the world. The student on this project would be a member of the NA62 collaboration and would contribute to the LFU research with the NA62 data. The student's contribution to the LFU research can be tailored to some extent on the student skills and interests. Joining a medium-size international collaboration, the student will have the opportunity to play a leading role on a hot topic in particle physics, while developing key expertise on hardware, software, and data analysis. The student will also spend some months on-site at CERN, acting as a detector expert and doing data-taking shifts.

Students interested in this PhD studentship should apply via the Lancaster University admission system. Funding is available on a competitive basis.

Applicants are normally expected to have the equivalent of a first (1) or upper second (2.1) degree class in Physics or Astrophysics.

The Lancaster Physics Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award and JUNO Champion status and is strongly committed to fostering inclusion and diversity within its community.

Professor Roger Jones

We are working on the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. Our main work concerns the search for the signatures of new physics processes. We wish to address the big questions: Why is there a matter/antimatter asymmetry in our universe? What is the nature of dark matter? Are there additional forces to the four in the Standard Model of particle physics? Unusually, we use the same techniques to search for new physics directly (though the search for new particles) and indirectly (through the effect of new particles, too massive to be produced directly, on very precisely measured quantities). The common themes are in our areas of expertise: the precise measurement of the tracks left by particles and the lifetimes of decaying particles; the fast identification (so-called “triggering”) of relatively low momentum muons; and the stringent control of backgrounds to the physics signals coming from particles containing beauty quarks.

The successful candidate will work on the search for new particles that live long enough to decay in the tracking detector of the ATLAS experiment, then decay to produce muons; and investigate the matter-antimatter asymmetry parameters in the decay of B s particles.

If they wish, the student will have to opportunity to work on a smaller experiment (NA62) looking at the rare decays of kaons, which can also reveal new physics departures from the Standard Model.

The student will be able to work on the software and large-scale computing for the experiment and use data science techniques in particle physics. The student would normally spend 12 months in Geneva working closely with an international team of experts on the experiment.

Please contact Professor Roger Jones for further information. Students interested in this PhD project should apply via the Lancaster University admission system. Applicants are normally expected to have the equivalent of a first (1) or upper second (2.1) degree class in Physics or Astrophysics.

The PhD will analyse new data from the world’s largest collider, LHC, situated in CERN. The data are taken after the LHC upgrade to an energy of 13.6 TeV. After the enormous success of the LHC, culminating with finding the Higgs particle, we have now opened a new chapter in the search for New Physics.

The high precision measurements of B-hadron decays allow for indirect searches for New Physics, where New particles that are produced virtually alter the B decays so they do not follow rules of the Standard Model. This builds on Lancaster’s leading role in the ATLAS analysis of the Run2 data to search for New Physics contributions to the CP-violation in the Bs-decays, which led to 3 publications in influential journals. ATLAS detector upgrade of Inner Detector with additional pixel layer (IBL in 2015), followed by further detector and trigger improvements in Run3 (started in 2022) allow ATLAS substantially increase the measurement precision. This change will allow ATLAS to measure the CP violation in Bs meson decays with unprecedented precision and will increase the potential for finding possible New Physics effects.

We propose two distinct physics measurements, both searching for New Physics in CP violation. They study the decay channels Bs ➔J/ψφ and Bs ➔J/ψKK. The methodology is similar, while a physics potential is different. These two measurements are complementary to each other, and the conclusion on CP effects can be only done by performing both. Also, we propose a high precision measurement in channel Bd ➔J/ψK0*, which is both a stringent test of the detector performance and calibration and has new interesting physics information in its own right.

The PhD will analyse new data from the world’s largest collider, LHC, situated in CERN. The data are taken after the LHC upgrade to an energy of 13 TeV. After the enormous success of the LHC in 2010-2012, culminating with finding the Higgs particle, we have now opened a new chapter in the search for physics beyond the Standard Model.

This proposed search for displaced supersymmetric (SUSY) particles is an example of a “direct search” in which the signal would be distinguished by an excess of displaced objects relative to those coming from Standard Model. The searches will focus on events with a pair of leptons (muons, electrons) produced at a point between 0.01 mm and 1 cm from the original collision sideways from the beams. Our initial search was designed to be sensitive to a wide range of RPV-SUSY models with sleptons decaying into non-prompt di-lepton final states. This is now being extended to events with non-prompt leptons and displaced secondary vertices to search for low-mass, low-lifetime neutralinos and charginos. In addition to these direct searches, novel methods of establishing limits on parameters for SUSY models using the cascade decays of B-mesons are under investigation, with the aim of setting limits on the possible mixing between SM and non-SM particles. From 2015 has an upgraded Inner Detector with additional pixel layer (IBL) that has substantially increased the precision with which the production point of the lepton pair can be resolved. In addition to the upgraded hardware, and new method of track reconstruction has been introduced with the start of Run3 in 2022. Both additions will allow us to improve these searches in the future. The PhD will analyse the data using decay channels including a pair of displaced leptons, to provide updates results on searches for SUSY particles, and limits on SUSY-model parameters. In addition, there will be studies of the performance of the detector hardware and its reconstruction software toolchain, to identify improvements for the current and future analyses.

Supervisor:

Professor Guennadi Borissov

Description:

The subject of this PhD project is the study of the properties of the top quark using the data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The top quark is the heaviest known particle which does not have an internal structure. Because of its large mass, the behaviour of the top quark in interactions with other particles can be sensitive to the contribution of new phenomena not included in the Standard Model. The top quark is produced in large quantities at the LHC and is efficiently detected by the ATLAS detector. Thus, studying the top quark opens up exciting possibilities for discovering new physics.

The successful candidate will develop the test of lepton flavour universality in decays of the top quark. A good working knowledge of programming languages, such as C++ and Python as well as an excellent understanding of particle physics is essential for this position. The student would normally spend at least 12 months in CERN, Geneva working closely with other colleagues in the ATLAS experiment.

Please contact Professor Guennadi Borissov for further information.

Students interested in this PhD project should apply via the Lancaster University admission system. Applicants are normally expected to have the equivalent of a first (1) or upper second (2.1) degree class in Physics or Astrophysics.

Professor Vakhtang Kartvelishvili

Ever since the discovery of the J/psi meson in 1974, the investigation of the production and decay properties of heavy quarkonium states has provided a unique source of information about the minute details of fundamental particle interactions within the Standard Model (SM). In many collider experiments, studies involving vector quarkonia provide the foundation of various analyses aimed at improving our understanding of Quantum Electrodynamics and Quantum Chromodynamics, thanks to their dilepton decay modes which are easy to identify and convenient to be triggered on. These gave rise to a series of studies where quarkonium is not just a subject, but also a tool to study the properties of other objects such as tetra- and penta-quarks, as well as searches for heavier particles beyond the SM.

The ATLAS group at Lancaster has a long history of leadership in the area of charmonium and bottomonium production at the LHC, including several pioneering studies of associated production, where a J/psi meson is produced in association of another heavy object, such as a W or a Z boson, or, indeed, another quarkonium state. Apart from producing valuable information on the most significant backgrounds for various BSM searches, these final states provide unique ways of studying the fundamental properties of hadrons, such as the distribution of gluons inside a proton, something which affects many processes under study at the LHC.

The PhD project on offer is a study of the associated production of the J/psi meson with another heavy quarkonium state -- a Upsilon meson or another J/psi -- in the intermediate invariant mass range optimised for the study of transverse-momentum-depemdednt (TMD) distribution of gluons inside the colliding protons. This will use the full statistics accumulated during Runs 2 and 3 of the LHC, and builds on the ongoing investigation of the J/psi plus photon final state, which uses a fraction of LHC Run 2 data. The project will involve an investigation of the selection efficiency of various triggers operating in ATLAS, optimisation of event selection, separation of the signal process from various backgrounds, and the measurement of the parameters of the transverse momentum dependence of the di-quarkonium system.

Please contact Professor Vakhtang Kartvelishvili for further information. Students interested in this PhD project should apply via the Lancaster University admission system. Applicants are normally expected to have the equivalent of a first (1) or upper second (2.1) degree class in Physics or Astrophysics.

PhD Projects in Detector Development

Dr Ian Bailey

In recent years there has been a growing interest in very low mass exotic particles which may form some or all of the dark matter in the Universe. Two well-motivated examples are ‘dark photons’ and ‘axions’. ‘Dark photons’ are hypothetical photon-like gauge bosons which don’t couple to electric charge, and hence do not interact directly with normal matter. ‘Axions’ are hypothetical scalar particles postulated in the 1970's as a solution to the “strong CP” problem – one of the unsolved puzzles in our understanding of particle physics.

If dark photons (also know as hidden-sector photons) exist then they could convert into photons through a process called kinetic mixing, allowing photons to produce dark photons and vice versa. Similarly, axions could be converted back and forth into photons in the presence of a strong electromagnetic field. Terrestrially, these phenomena can be used as the basis of 'light dark matter haloscopes' built to search for the existence of these exotic particles in the dark matter halo through which the Earth is moving.

The QSHS (Quantum Sensors for the Hidden Sector) collaboration in the UK is developing quantum technologies to boost the sensitivity of experiments looking for these phenomena, and is designing a future light dark matter haloscope which can use these technologies optimally.

The student on this project would be a member of the QSHS collaboration and would contribute to the search for light dark matter haloscopes by developing electromagnetic field simulations, analysing the data from prototypes, and assisting with the construction, commissioning and operation of a quantum technology test facility at Sheffield University. There is also scope to set up an experiment locally at Lancaster University collaborating with the low temperature physics and quantum nanotechnology research groups. In addition there will be opportunities to work with the US-based ADMX axion haloscope collaboration who are the current world-leaders in axion dark matter searches. There are experimental, computational and theoretical aspects of this project, but the proportion of these aspects can be tailored to the student's interests.

Applicants are normally expected to have the equivalent of a first (1) or upper second (2.1) degree class in Physics or Astrophysics. Students interested in this PhD studentship should apply via the Lancaster University admission system.

Please contact Dr Ian Bailey for further information.

Supervisors

Dr Lingxin Meng, Dr Harald Fox

Future particle experiments will impose extreme requirements on their tracking detectors, taking today's silicon sensor technology to the very limit. To extend the physics reach of the LHC for example, upgrades to the accelerator are planned that will increase the peak luminosity by a factor 5 to 10. This will lead to much-increased occupancy and radiation damage of the sub-detectors, requiring the exchange of the current inner trackers with all-silicon ones.

Lancaster has a long-standing tradition of silicon detector R&D in CERN's RD50 collaboration and is now focusing on R&D for future pixel detectors – the innermost sub-detector of particle physics experiments and thus exposed to the harshest conditions.

Possible PhD projects would include irradiation and characterisation of planar pixel sensors, which are being produced for LHC detector upgrades like ATLAS.

Beyond those, the PhD project may also involve the characterisation of novel HV-CMOS pixel sensors which promise very good radiation tolerance while being extremely lightweight and cost-efficient. These are considered the baseline choice for the upgrades of LHCb and other experiments like EIC, as well as future collider experiments. The first large-area prototype chip has been received from the foundry. Initial tests of this chip have begun. Results and in-depths characterisations are eagerly awaited by the community and could be part of the PhD project.

Students interested in this PhD project should apply via the Lancaster University admission system. Applicants are normally expected to have the equivalent of a first (1) or upper second (2.1) degree class in Physics or Astrophysics. The Lancaster Physics Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award and JUNO Champion status and is strongly committed to fostering inclusion and diversity within its community.

PhD Projects on the Neutrino Programme

Dr Andy Blake

Project description

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a next-generation High Energy Physics experiment for neutrino science and nucleon decay searches. Hosted by the Fermi Laboratory, DUNE is an international collaboration of more than 1000 scientists from all over the world. Once operational at the end of the decade, DUNE will consist of two detector facilities placed 1300km apart in the world’s most powerful accelerator neutrino beam. The near detector complex will measure the spectrum and composition of the beam close to its source; the multi-kiloton far detector array will operate a mile underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility and measure a range of neutrino oscillation phenomena. With its large fiducial mass and precision Liquid Argon TPC technology, DUNE will advance the field of neutrino oscillation physics into a new era and conduct searches for physics beyond the standard model (BSM). The superb imaging capabilities of LAr-TPC detectors enable neutrino interactions to be captured with exquisite detail. At Lancaster University, we are developing advanced software to reconstruct the complex multi-particle event topologies produced by multi-GeV neutrino interactions on Argon. In this PhD research project, you will apply techniques of machine learning to the analysis of LAr-TPC images, with the goal of precisely measuring the trajectories and properties of final-state particle tracks. Building on this work, you will use computer-simulated data from the far detectors to evaluate and optimise the discovery potential of DUNE to BSM oscillation phenomena. A long-term attachment at an international laboratory such as Fermilab may be possible with this project.

Please contact Dr Andrew Blake for more information about this research programme. Students interested in this PhD project should apply via the Lancaster University admission system. Applicants are normally expected to have the equivalent of a first (1) or upper second (2.1) degree class in Physics or Astrophysics.

Professor Jarek Nowak

Precise measurements of neutrino cross-sections are essential for understanding the physics of neutrino interactions and achieving the reductions of systematic uncertainties required by future long-baseline experiments that will study CP violation in the neutrino sector. Over the past decade, cross-section measurements from a range of experiments (MiniBooNE, NOMAD, NOvA, MINERvA, T2K, MicroBooNE) have advanced our understanding of neutrino interactions and opened several new avenues of research. In particular, the discovery of a new process (MEC, 2p-2h) has generated a paradigm shift in treating nuclear effects. This PhD project will focus on cross-section measurements at the Fermilab short-baseline neutrino programme, where the fine-grain resolution, high-statistics datasets, and large liquid argon detectors like MicroBooNE and SBND are enabling precision studies of neutrino-argon interactions in the GeV energy range. Several PhD projects are available: the Lancaster group is involved in many cross-section analyses and is leading the development of detailed simulations like the NuWro Monte Carlo generator. Our PhD students typically have the opportunity to spend about one year at the Fermi Laboratory collaborating on the collection and analysis of their data.

Please contact Professor Jarek Nowak for further information. Students interested in this PhD studentship should apply via the Lancaster University admission system. Applicants are normally expected to have the equivalent of a first (1) or upper second (2.1) degree class in Physics or Astrophysics.

The standard model of particle physics accommodates three active flavours of neutrino, which interact via the weak nuclear force. In recent years, experimental observations have hinted at a new type of sterile neutrino beyond the current standard model. If confirmed, this would be a major discovery and would fundamentally alter our understanding of neutrino physics.

The short-baseline neutrino programme at the Fermi Laboratory in the USA will conduct a multi-detector search for sterile neutrinos using a powerful accelerator neutrino beam and an array of large Liquid Argon TPC detectors. LAr-TPC technology can measure neutrino interactions with an exquisite spatial and calorimetric resolution, which is crucial for precision searches for neutrino oscillation phenomena. The Lancaster group is heavily involved in commissioning the Short-Baseline Near Detector (SBND) and is contributing to a range of analysis activities, including developing advanced algorithms for reconstructing the properties of neutrino interactions.

The goal of this PhD project is to collaborate on the commissioning of the SBND detector as it comes online and to use the data from the short-baseline programme to search for the signatures of sterile neutrinos and other phenomena beyond the standard model. This project offers an excellent opportunity to experience all aspects of a particle physics experiment, from commissioning to physics analysis. Our students typically spend a significant period working onsite at Fermilab.

Please contact Dr Andrew Blake for further information. Students interested in this PhD studentship should apply via the Lancaster University admission system. Applicants are normally expected to have the equivalent of a first (1) or upper second (2.1) degree class in Physics or Astrophysics.

Accelerator Physics

Measurements of the electric and magnetic moments of fundamental particles are sensitive tests of the whole Standard Model of particle physics. Recent results from the US-based Fermilab Muon g-2 collaboration have confirmed that the magnetic dipole moment (MDM) of the muon is statistically very unlikely to be in agreement with the prediction from the Standard Model of particle physics, although more data is needed. This is a strong indication that ‘new physics’ (unknown particles or forces) could be perturbing the magnetic moment. The Fermilab Muon g-2 collaboration is continuing to take data, using muons with the “magic” momentum 3.094 GeV/c circulating at a radius of 7.112 m in a highly-uniform toroidal magnetic field of nominal strength 1.451 T.

The Fermilab muon g-2 experiment is also making measurements of the electric dipole moment (EDM) of the muon, but is not as optimal for this measurement. The Swiss-based PSI muon EDM collaboration is working on the design of an experiment that will be dedicated to measuring the muon EDM using a small muon storage ring and the "frozen-spin" technique.

The student working on this project would become a member of the Cockroft Institute of Accelerator Science and Technology, and will be able to contribute to both the ongoing Fermilab muon g-2 experiment and proposed PSI muon EDM experiment by developing and analysing beam dynamics simulations for understanding the subtle behaviours of the muons in the electric and magnetic fields of these experiments, and by analysing the data to make measurements of the muon electric and magnetic dipole moments.

Funding is available on a competitive basis.

Professor Steven Jamison

Lancaster Physics department and partners in the Cockcroft Institute are world-leading in the use of femtosecond lasers and non-linear optics for manipulating electron beams. This project will use femtosecond lasers to compress 100 keV electron beams to tens of femtoseconds in duration (it takes light 300fs to cross the width of a hair). Having demonstrated compression of electron beam, time-resolved electron diffraction will be undertaken to observe coherent phonon motion in solids. The work will be undertaken with femtosecond lasers and 100keV electron beams available in our lab at Daresbury National Laboratory.

We welcome applications from students holding or expecting a 1 st or 2i physics degree. We particularly encourage applicants with an interest in cross-disciplinary experimental physics.

The project encompassed lasers and ultrafast optics, condensed matter physics, electromagnetism and electron-dynamics. We do not require or expect candidates to have taken undergraduate courses in all of these areas. The Cockcroft Institute postgraduate lecture programme in particle accelerator science and engineering will be part of the PhD training offered to students.

For more information contact Professor Steven Jamison or visit Laser and terahertz acceleration group

Lancaster Physics is leading a UK-wide research programme in laser-plasma acceleration utilizing high-energy particle accelerator and laser facilities at Daresbury National Laboratory.

Within this programme, a PhD is offered to work on using intense lasers and non-linear optics to accelerate and compress high energy (>100 MeV) electron beams, and enabling injection of the electrons into a GeV-level laser-plasma acceleration stage.

The student will develop and undertake experiments where terawatt (10 12 W) laser pulses will first generate high-field far-infrared pulses, and then these pulses will accelerate and compress the 100 MeV electron beams. Working with other researchers from Lancaster, Liverpool, Manchester, Oxford universities, and Daresbury laboratory scientists and engineers, you will work to see the compressed electron bunch injected and accelerated to GeV energies. The programme seeks to set a new benchmark in the capability of high-gradient particle acceleration.

We welcome applications from students holding or expecting a 1 st or 2i physics degree.

The project encompasses lasers and ultrafast and non-linear optics, electromagnetism and relativity, and electron-beam dynamics. We do not require or expect candidates to have taken undergraduate courses in all of these areas. The Cockcroft Institute postgraduate lecture programme in particle accelerator science and engineering will be part of the PhD training offered to students.

Dr Jonathan Gratus (Lancaster University, Physics) and Professor Graeme Burt (Lancaster University, Engineering)

Particle-in-cell (PIC) codes are essential for the numerical simulation of charged particles in both conventional accelerators and plasmas. They are used extensively for understanding the physics and design of future machines. A typical code may have to track billions of particles and may need to run on high-performance computer clusters.

We are investigating a revolutionary new method which promises to dramatically reduce the computation needed for simulations. This method increases the dynamical information of each particle while reducing the total number of particles.

To aid in this task we need an enthusiastic PhD student to incorporate the new dynamical equations into existing PIC codes and compare the results with standard simulations.

The student will become a member of the Cockcroft Institute and will participate in the Cockcroft Institute Education and Training Programme, whereby they will participate in a lecture programme over the first 2 years of study in addition to their work on their project. The candidate should have at least a 2:1 or equivalent in maths, physics or engineering and have a solid understanding of mathematical concepts and theory. However, applicants who have gained experience in relevant fields through non-traditional routes are strongly encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, candidates who are in the first generation of their family to go to university, candidates who have been in care or who have been a young carer, and candidates from a low-income background

Funding and eligibility: This studentship is competitively funded. Upon acceptance of a student, this project will be funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council for 3.5 years; UK and other students are eligible to apply, although overseas students may be required to secure additional funding. A full package of training and support will be provided by the Cockcroft Institute, and the student will take part in a vibrant accelerator research and education community of over 150 people. An IELTS score of at least 6.5 is required (or equivalent).

Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Jonathan Gratus ( [email protected] ) for more information.

How to apply

Cockcroft Institute, PhD-opportunities

Lancaster University PhD opportunities

Anticipated Start Date: October 2024 for 3.5 Years

Dr Rstislav Mikhaylovskiy

Finding a fundamentally new way for data processing in the fastest and most energy efficient manner is a frontier problem for applied physics and technology. The amount of data generated every second is so enormous that the heat produced by modern data centres has already become a serious limitation to further increase their performance. This heating is a result of the Ohmic dissipation of energy unavoidable in conventional electronics. At present, the data industry lacks a solution for this problem, which in future may contribute greatly to the global warming and energy crisis.

An emerging alternative approach is to employ spin waves (magnons) to realize waveform-based computation, which is free from electronic Joule heating. However, the present realization of this approach, called magnonics, uses electric currents to generate and modulate magnons. In the course of this PhD project we will work towards replacement of the current by light using antiferromagnetic materials, in which spins precess on a picosecond (one trillionth of a second) timescale and strongly couple to electro-magnetic waves [1]. Yet, the antiferromagnetic THz (1 THz = 10 12 Hz) magnons remain practically unexplored [2].

To excite THz magnons we will use ultrashort strong electro-magnetic fields produced either by table-top ultrafast lasers. We will push the driven spin dynamics into strongly nonlinear regime required for practical applications such as quantum computation or magnetization switching [3]. We will investigate nonlinear interaction of intense and highly coherent magnons with an eye on reaching regimes of auto-oscillations, nonlinear frequency conversion and complete magnetization reversal [4].

This interdisciplinary project at the interface between magnetism and photonics offers training in ultrafast optics, THz and magneto-optical spectroscopies as well as in physics of magnetically ordered materials. Also, there will be opportunities for travel and experiments using THz free-electron laser facilities such as FELIX (Nijmegen, Netherlands) and TELBE (Dresden, Germany).

Interested candidates should contact Dr Rostislav Mikhaylovskiy [email protected] for further information. Funding is available on a competitive basis.

[1]. K. Grishunin , T. Huisman, G. Li, E. Mishina, Th. Rasing, A. V. Kimel, K. Zhang, Z. Jin, S. Cao, W. Ren , G.-H. Ma and R. V. Mikhaylovskiy. Terahertz magnon-polaritons in TmFeO 3 . ACS Photonics 5 , 1375 (2018).

[2]. J. R. Hortensius, D. Afanasiev, M. Matthiesen, R. Leenders, R. Citro, A. V. Kimel, R. V. Mikhaylovskiy, B. A. Ivanov & A. D. Caviglia. Coherent spin-wave transport in an antiferromagnet. Nature Physics 17 , 1001 (2021).

[3]. S. Baierl, M. Hohenleutner, T. Kampfrath, A. K. Zvezdin, A. V. Kimel, R. Huber, and R. V. Mikhaylovskiy. Nonlinear spin control by terahertz driven anisotropy fields. Nature Photonics 10 , 715 (2016).

[4] S. Schlauderer, C. Lange, S. Baierl, T. Ebnet, C. P. Schmid, D. C. Valovcin, A. K. Zvezdin, A. V. Kimel, R. V. Mikhaylovskiy and R. Huber. Temporal and spectral fingerprints of ultrafast all-coherent spin switching. Nature 569, 383 (2019).

Low Temperature Physics

Professor Edward Laird

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful and non-invasive technique for looking inside the human body. If we could make a microscope that works on the same principle, we would be able to do something that is presently impossible – to look inside cells, viruses, and potentially even individual molecules and identify the atoms from which they are made. Unfortunately, MRI machines cannot simply be made smaller, because as their radio antennas are shrunk they become less sensitive. For this reason, the resolution of conventional MRI is still far below that of other kinds of microscope.

To develop an MRI microscope, we need to develop a new kind of device that measures the same effect with much higher resolution. Such an approach is magnetic resonance force microscopy. In this technique, a tiny nano-magnet is attached to a delicate mechanical spring and positioned as close as possible to the specimen being measured. As the nuclei in the specimen precess, their magnetic field deflects the nano-magnet, thus creating a measurable signal.

To construct a microscope based on this principle is still a formidable challenge. For each nucleus in the specimen, the force exerted on the nano-magnet is roughly one zepto-Newton. We aim to detect such a force by using the lightest, most delicate spring that can be fabricated – a single carbon nanotube. This project will develop nanotube force sensors and the associated quantum electronics to measure them. The two central physics challenges are to attach a nano-magnet to a nanotube spring and to measure its tiny deflection. To overcome them, we seek highly motivated graduates in physics or related fields with curiosity, grit, and a passion for making new discoveries through experiment.

We have a strong track record of high-profile publications by PhD students. We have access to excellent facilities for nanofabrication, electronics, and low-temperature measurement. These include:

• The state-of-the-art cleanroom of Lancaster’s Quantum Technology Centre.
• New cryogen-free dilution refrigerators optimised for high-speed quantum electronics and equipped with ultra-sensitive superconducting amplifiers.
• Extensive collaborations with low-temperature and quantum physicists in Lancaster and beyond.

Within this project, you will work in the Low Temperature Physics and Quantum Nanotechnology groups at Lancaster. You will receive a thorough training, supported by state-of-the art equipment, in quantum electronics, low-temperature physics, nanofabrication, and scientific communication. Through your research in this project, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a physics-based technology with profound potential in materials science and biology.

Further information: The quantum electronic sensors group

Superfluidity is among the most fascinating manifestations of collective quantum behaviour. Many behaviours that appear fundamental to our universe, such as gauge invariance and the Higgs mechanism, have emergent analogues in the superfluid. Other superfluid features mimic important properties of condensed matter, such as topological defects; others may even simulate the interiors of neutron stars, or the early universe.

Like all quantum systems, a superfluid is fundamentally characterised by its excitations, or quasiparticles. A powerful way to study these quasiparticles is to immerse a vibrating wire inside the superfluid; its mechanical damping reveals the amount of energy deposited in the superfluid, and therefore tells us about the quasiparticles that have been created.

We are developing tools to measure superfluids on the mesoscopic scale, i.e. between the size of atoms and the scale of the superfluid coherence length. Our plan is to use the smallest vibrating wires that can be created, namely vibrating carbon nanotubes. Because they are so small, they can respond to tiny damping forces. We can also measure them using quantum electronic circuits, which lets us detect their motion with high sensitivity.

In this project, we will first study the bosonic superfluid 4 He, whose quasiparticles are phonons and rotons. We will then study the fermionic superfluid 3 He, whose quasiparticles are more exotic. Our aim is to learn how we can create different kinds of quasiparticles by changing the size and vibration frequency of our nanotube.

We have a strong track record of high-profile publications by PhD students. We have access to excellent facilities for nanofabrication, electronics, and low-temperature measurement. You will receive a thorough training, supported by state-of-the art equipment, in quantum electronics, low-temperature physics, nanofabrication, and scientific communication. Our facilities include:

• New cryogen-free dilution refrigerators optimised for high-speed quantum electronics and equipped with ultra-sensitive superconducting amplifiers and superfluid sample cells.
• Nuclear demagnetisation refrigerators that can access some of the coldest temperatures in the universe.

Through your research in this project, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a physics-based technology with profound potential in materials science and biology.

Atomic clocks are the most precise scientific instruments ever made, and are key to advanced technologies for navigation, communication, and radar. The most accurate atomic clocks cost millions of pounds and take up entire rooms, but an important goal for this research field is to develop miniature, portable clocks. This is a major challenge for quantum science and technology.

This PhD project will pursue a new approach to create a clock that will fit on a chip. Present-day atomic clocks are based on atomic vapours confined in a vacuum chamber. Our new approach is to use electron and nuclear spins in endohedral fullerene molecules – nature’s atom traps – whose energy levels offer an exquisitely stable frequency reference. To make this novel approach work, we must overcome a range of physics and engineering challenges, including detecting spin resonance from a small number of spins, identifying the energy levels involved, and miniaturizing the control electronics and magnet. The reward will be a completely new technology with a wide range of civilian and military uses. We are looking for a candidate who has a strong interest in applying quantum physics in new technology and is motivated to develop the new and demanding electronic measurement techniques that will be necessary.

Further information:

• The quantum electronic sensors group
• “ Keeping Perfect Time With Caged Atoms ”
• “ Spin resonance clock transition of the endohedral fullerene 15 N@C60 ”

Dr Michael Thompson

There is a growing demand for electronic components that operate are cryogenic temperatures, from analogue amplifiers to digital control circuits for quantum computing. Existing electronic components are manufactured using semiconductors, mostly silicon, that either don’t work at all, or work poorly at very low temperatures. Two-dimensional materials, such as graphene, have been used for building transistors and even more complex components, with comparable performance to existing semiconductors. However, unlike existing semiconductor components, these materials continue to function as well, if not better, at very low temperatures. The aim of this project is to build cryogenic electronics using these 2D materials, in particular, using commercially available wafer-scale graphene to build analogue amplifiers.

This project will make use of Lancaster’s cleanroom for fabrication and the IsoLab facility for device characterisation. IsoLab is equipped with a dilution refrigerator capable of cooling devices down to 10 mK and is housed inside an electromagnetically shielded room. The filtered mains circuits and dedicated ground nest make this facility the ideal location for testing low-noise cryogenic electronics.

For this project, a student will learn to fabricate nanoelectronic devices using both 2D materials and semiconductors and characterisation of these inside a cryogenic refrigerator. This work is closely linked to existing collaborations with the National Graphene Institute in Manchester and the European Microkelvin Platform project and the student will have the opportunity to engage with these collaborations.

You are expected to have a strong interest and preferably knowledge in:

• electrical measurements of nanoscale devices
• cryogenic techniques
• nanofabrication
• data acquisition using Python or similar

Dr Jonathan Prance

The ability to cool materials to millikelvin temperatures has been the foundation of many breakthroughs in condensed matter physics and nanotechnology. At this frontier, quantum behaviour can be studied by making devices smaller and colder, increasing coherence across the system. The goal of this project is to apply a new technique – on-chip demagnetisation refrigeration – to reach temperatures below 1 millikelvin in a range of nanoelectronic structures. This will open a new temperature range for nanoscale physics.

As experiments are pushed into the sub-millikelvin regime, it becomes increasingly difficult to measure and define the temperature of a material or device. The thermal coupling between various sub-systems in can be extremely small; for example, the electrons in the metal wires contacting an on-chip structure can be at a different temperature to the electrons in the chip, the phonons in the chip, and the apparatus that you are using to cool it. This situation calls for a variety of thermometry techniques, each suited to measuring the temperature of a different physical system. The thermometers must also have extremely low heat dissipation and excellent isolation from the room temperature environment. This project will include the development of new and existing thermometry techniques that are suitable for sub-millikelvin temperatures.

Devices will be produced in the Lancaster Quantum Technology Centre cleanroom, and by our collaborators. Experiments will be conducted using the cutting-edge facilities of the Ultralow Temperature Physics group at Lancaster.

You are expected to have a strong interest in and preferably knowledge of:

• data acquisition using Python or MatLab

Dr Dmitry Zmeev

The project is to create and perform experiments with new types of superconducting probes for quantum liquids: precisely controllable levitators working at sub-millikelvin temperatures. Recently we have made a significant progress in the development of these instruments and we will explore several outstanding problems.

Firstly, pinning and nucleation of quantum vortices in superfluid helium-4. Currently, there are two contradictory pictures of how quantum vortices attach (‘pin’) to surfaces and how it affects their motion. A levitating sphere offers a new type of experimental topology and has the power to resolve this issue.

Secondly, the question of existence of a lift force in a superfluid remains open. We will build a hydrofoil, move it through superfluid and observe whether the lift exists.

Thirdly, the surface-bound states in superfluid helium-3, the coldest liquid in the Universe, at microkelvin temperatures represent a largely unexplored physical system with potentially extremely unusual properties. We have recently demonstrated how to probe this system by driving it out of equilibrium, and the new instruments promise to enhance our capabilities.

Josephson junctions are a key component in superconducting electronics and are used in superconducting qubits, superconducting quantum interference devices, Josephson parametric amplifiers and many more. Junctions formed with graphene can have their critical current tuned using a local gate, creating junctions whose properties can be varied during operation. This has the potential to enhance existing technologies or open up possibilities for creating entirely new devices.

While such junctions have already been demonstrated, these use exfoliated graphene flakes, which is not a scalable technology and makes implementation of these junctions impractical for applications outside of fundamental research. Graphene is available in large areas, grown by chemical vapour deposition and while the quality is not as high as exfoliated flakes, it is possible to make junctions using this material. This opens up the opportunity for building superconducting electronics with tunable junctions at scale. This project aims to develop a process for fabricating graphene-superconductor junctions with low resistance contacts using CVD graphene and once established, design and build electronics devices.

This project will make use of Lancaster’s cleanroom for fabrication and the IsoLab facility for device characterisation. IsoLab is equipped with a dilution refrigerator capable of cooling devices down to 10 mK and is housed inside an electromagnetically shielded room. The filtered mains circuits and dedicated ground nest make this facility the ideal location for testing low-noise cryogenic electronics. For this project, a student will learn to fabricate nanoelectronic devices using 2D materials and characterisation of these inside a cryogenic refrigerator.

You are expected to have a strong interest in:

Dr Samuli Autti

In this PhD project, the student will work as a member of the QUEST-DMC team in Lancaster, based in the ULT laboratory. The project entails constructing and using magnetic confinement to study superfluid 3He at ultra-low temperatures. Superfluid 3He is perhaps the most versatile macroscopic quantum system in the laboratory, and this project will have direct consequences for seemingly distant fields such as particle physics and cosmology. The aim is to show that a first order phase transition can take place in the absence of external influence and that this process is described by the elusive homogeneous nucleation theory. This would redefine how we understand phase transitions in pure systems such as the Early Universe, where such a phase transition possibly left behind gravitational waves that a specialist satellite mission may still be able to observe. The work done will simultaneously technologically contribute towards using the superfluid as a dark matter detector in a large inter-university project in the UK.

Non-Linear and Biomedical Physics

Professor Aneta Stefanovska

Neurovascular coupling is essential for the functioning of the brain. Recent studies show that its efficiency changes with ageing or dementia. However, a plausible model of the interactions between the vasculature, astrocytes, and the neurons in the brain is still missing. Current models are mainly based on linear approaches and use a large number of differential equations to describe flows and concentrations of metabolites in relevant compartments of the brain. Such models are based on closed-system assumptions and focus on relationships between magnitudes of physical quantities involved.

This project will investigate the potential advantages of models based on networks of phase oscillators that do not include any closed-system assumptions. Coupled nonautonomous phase oscillators will be used to represent the metabolic processes occurring within brain cells. Within the context of the model to be developed, the interactions between astrocytes and neurons and their changes with ageing and dementia, will be investigated. The modelling will be tested by comparison with recent experimental studies in healthy subjects of different ages, as well as with studies in subjects with Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

The applicant will be expected to have a first or upper second-class degree in physics, applied mathematics, natural sciences, or computational neuroscience.

Interested candidates should contact Professor Aneta Stefanovska for further information.

The lungs and the heart can be perceived as a pair of coupled oscillators. One of the coupling pathways is relatively well understood and results in variations in the frequency of the heart beat caused by the amplitude of respiration. It is known as respiratory sinus arrythmia. The coupling mechanism is also known in physics as amplitude-to-frequency coupling. The resultant variation of the heart rate has mainly been studied within the framework of random walks in statistical physics. Here we propose an approach to the problem based on non-autonomous dynamics.

To investigate possible coupling mechanisms, data-sets recorded in various earlier studies by the group will be utilised. Data from both the awake and anaesthetised states, and at various ambient temperatures in the awake state, will be used to investigate all possible coupling scenarios. The results will then be used to build a model of cardio-respiratory interactions as coupled non-autonomous oscillators. In formulating the model, mechanisms such as intermittent synchronization will be considered and phase-reduction methods will be applied. We will seek to develop analytically the link between theoretical phase reduction methods for time-variable systems with phases assigned by e.g. the wavelet transform (as extracted via ridges or nonlinear mode decomposition). From here, we will then apply data analysis methods to numerical simulations of systems exhibiting the various finite-time-dynamical phenomena that will be uncovered from the data, to determine the couplings, for which we will then provide a theoretical formulation.

The model will be used to optimise the level of cardio-respiratory interactions in subjects with assisted respiration, e.g. due to asthma, or in subjects with tetraplegia. The final result of the project will be an algorithm that may be built into a system being developed by our industrial partner.

During the project the student will learn time-series analysis methods for nonlinear, nonautonomous systems, theory of oscillatory nonautonomous systems and become familiar with the physiology of the cardio-respiratory system. The potential outcome of the project will be an algorithm that may be used in practical applications, with potential to improve the quality of life for many individuals. It is suitable for candidates with a strong theoretical background that seek to be challenged by a real-world application and to make a practical impact.

The applicant will be expected to have a first or upper second-class degree in physics, applied mathematics or natural sciences, or the equivalent.

By bringing together optics, modern computational facilities, the growing understanding of nonlinear oscillators and their mutual interactions, and wireless connectivity, it is planned to create a novel diagnostic instrument to determine the health of the human endothelium – the inner lining of all the blood vessels, and essential for our immune system. In each individual, the endothelium occupies an area equal to a football pitch making it a major organ of the body. It orchestrates the dynamics of blood circulation including the continuous distribution and exchange of nutrients and oxygen with all the cells of the body and the removal of waste products. Recently, the state of health of the endothelium has been shown to play a crucial role in determining the severity of Covid-19. Although the condition of the endothelium is of crucial importance for general health and the immune response, it has been extremely difficult to measure up to now. So, the new “endotheliometer” is likely to be valuable to GPs and other health professionals.

This interdisciplinary project will be based on novel methods for data analysis developed at Lancaster now available in the MODA toolbox https://github.com/luphysics/MODA .

The applicant will be expected to have a first or upper second-class degree in physics, applied mathematics, natural sciences, or biomedical engineering.

The famous Hodgkin-Huxley model describes an action potential in the axon of a neurone. It is an excellent example of how, by combining experiment and theory, physics can help resolve important questions in biology. It is arguably still the most realistic model of a living system. However, it assumes that the voltage across the membrane is constant, and to fulfil this condition in the experiments the voltage was clamped. In reality, however, the voltage fluctuates continuously in living cells, and the physics behind the fluctuations of the membrane potential therefore needs to be revisited. Recent advances in technology now enable the simultaneous recording of ionic concentrations, pH, cell volume, and production of the ATP that fuels the operation of ion pumps in the membrane.

This project aims to propose a new physics of the living cell by combining the experimental data obtained from simultaneous measurements, time-series analysis using novel methods developed at Lancaster now available in the MODA toolbox https://github.com/luphysics/MODA , and the new physics of nonautonomous dynamical systems. Phase coherence and synchronisation will be analysed to assess the stability of interactions, to characterise the normal and dysfunctional states a cell, and to build the new model.

The model will help integrate existing biological knowledge about individual components of the cell. It will provide unifying principles of functioning for both excitable and none-executable cells, and will thus pave new ways to modelling the brain in health and disease.

The applicant will be expected to have a first or upper second-class degree in physics, applied mathematics, natural sciences, or computational biology.

Interested candidates should contact Professor Aneta Stefanovska for further information

Professor Peter McClintock

Turbulence is ubiquitous in the real world and affects almost every aspect of our daily lives, including transport, energy production, climate, and biological processes. Despite its universal importance, turbulence is not well understood. Richard Feynman called it the "most important unsolved problem of classical physics". Turbulence is hard to understand at a fundamental level because of the complexity of turbulent motion of the fluid over an extremely wide range of length scales. Quantum mechanics often makes complex problems conceptually simpler, and quantum turbulence (QT) in superfluids is a prime example. At low temperatures, superfluids are the closest attainable approximation to an ideal fluid in that they can flow without friction, are (almost) incompressible, and their vortices are quantised, making all of them identical. Like classical turbulence, QT is a non-equilibrium phenomenon: remove the driving force, and it decays – though perhaps not completely in superfluid 4 He due to residual quantised vortices pinned metastably to the walls. The creation of QT in the superfluid usually seems to be "seeded" by such remanent vortices.

An experiment is being developed to investigate the creation and expansion of QT in superfluid 4 He held within a pill-box shaped vessel fixed to a high-Q torsional oscillator at millikelvin temperatures. Tiny changes in the oscillator’s resonant frequency and damping will yield information about remanent vortices, the pinning of their ends to the vessel’s walls, and the critical velocities needed for their expansion and creation of QT. In a second experiment, a levitated superconducting sphere will be moved in a controlled way through the superfluid to explore the mechanisms of QT creation in even closer detail.

These experiments will produce a vast profusion of data, which will require detailed analysis by state-of-the-art methods of analysis for turbulent and non-autonomous dynamics, and methods to extract information about the QT. The student can contribute to all aspects of this collaborative research project, but will be expected to take a particular responsibility for data analysis. The methods which they will learn, develop and apply will also have very wide applications across science, technology, finance and the social sciences. The enterprise is supported by a new £1.2M research grant from EPSRC.

The electron system that can be created on the surface of superfluid helium has some remarkable properties. The electrons can move freely, without dissipation, over the interface between the vacuum above and a surface that is almost perfect. Recently, it has been shown that, under the right conditions, this system exhibits chronotaxic dynamics – a phenomenon previously associated exclusively with biological systems.

The identification of this new class of non-autonomous oscillatory dynamical systems by the Lancaster group represented a major advance in the understanding of time-varying dynamics. These are oscillators whose characteristic frequencies vary in time, in contrast to e.g. the simple pendulum and many other familiar physical oscillators. Chronotaxic systems can be regarded as one manifestation of the thermodynamically open systems that abound in nature, and especially in biology. In collaboration with scientists at Riken in Japan, we have identified chronotaxic behaviour of the currents recorded for the electron gas on the superfluid surface.

The aim of this PhD research project is to explain the physical origin of the oscillations of variable frequency observed in the experiments, and to provide a theoretical model of the experimental results, thus expanding and generalising the theory of chronotaxic non-autonomous dynamical systems and linking it to quantum computing.

Professor Aneta Stefanovska, Physics

Dr Suzana Ilic, Environmental Science

Professor Peter McClintock, Physics

Occasionally, rogue waves – with wave heights much larger than those of their neighbours – appear on the ocean and can sometimes overwhelm even the largest vessels e.g. supertankers. Their origins are still a mystery, but a theory suggesting that their creation mechanism involves nonlinear interactions between smaller, conventional, usually wind-blown, surface waves is the best candidate to explain their formation. To seek experimental evidence in order to test this idea, experiments have been carried out in the Marintek wave basin in Trondheim, Norway. The result is a large volume of time series data, some of which shows clear evidence of rogue waves, but which has yet to be analysed. The PhD project is to analyse the Marintek data using state-of-the-art time-series analysis methods, many of which have been developed at Lancaster and are available in MODA toolbox https://github.com/luphysics/MODA in order to investigate the hydrodynamic conditions under which rogue waves are created. In particular, evidence will be sought for the growth of rogue waves through nonlinear mutual phase interactions between smaller waves. It is a challenging problem involving spatio-temporal dynamics, but it is clear that the results could be extremely important.

Dr Dmitri Luchinsky

For a billion years, life has been crucially dependent on ion channels for selective control of the fluxes of ions into and out of biological cells, with evolution fine-tuning each kind of channel to be optimal in its particular role. Very recently, humans have fabricated artificial channels and pores from solid state materials, aiming to emulate and extend many of the functions of biological channels in more robust formats. A whole new sub-nanoscale technology has started to develop, with applications to e.g. fuel cells, water desalination, gas and isotope separation, lithium extraction, DNA sequencing, water pumps, field effect ionic transistors, and “blue energy” harvesting.

Not surprisingly, artificial channels are still, in general, much less efficient than biological ones. For example, they are less selective to particular ionic species and the fluxes they pass tend to be smaller. They are difficult to design, partly because there is still no satisfactory general theory of how an ion permeates through a channel. Hence design usually relies on experiments and heavy-duty molecular dynamics simulations, coupled with trial-and-error – which is slow, and therefore inefficient and expensive, because the parameter space is huge.

We therefore propose a different approach, building on our 2015 discovery of Coulomb blockade in biological ion channels, on our new statistical physics theory of the ionic permeation process, and on our recent and ongoing numerical simulations of pores and channels in artificial membranes. There is probably a great deal to learn from how Nature has “designed” biological channels through evolution over hundreds of millions of years, so that biomimetic approaches are likely to be useful in the understanding and design of artificial channels.

The aims of the project are to develop theory and numerical tools that enable the prediction and control of free energy landscapes, selectivity and conductivity of artificial nanodevices. These methods will be applied to the design and optimization of nano-pumps, nano-sensors, and energy-harvesting nanodevices. It is expected that the successful applicant will use molecular dynamics and Brownian dynamics simulations to verify and validate the results obtained.

We are looking for a student with enthusiasm for theoretical physics and with some prior experience of computational and numerical work.

Quantum Nanotechnology

Quantum nanotechnology phds accordion accordion.

Dr Quian Zhuang

The project will develop advanced III-V nanowires on silicon and 2D materials by molecular beam epitaxy and explore the device applications in next-generation photodetectors, fully-functional silicon photonic circuits, ultra-fast nanoelectronics and spitronics.

Professor Manus Hayne

Computers are based on the von Neumann architecture in which the processing and memory unit are largely separated, requiring information to be shuffled to and fro, which is inefficient and creates a bottleneck. This is particularly disadvantageous for activities that are memory intensive, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

An alternative is in-memory computing [1, 2], in which certain algorithms are performed within the memory unit. This is less flexible than the traditional von Neumann approach, but has huge potential in terms of computational time and energy saved for memory intensive tasks involving operations that are performed huge numbers of times. These could be common logical functions such as AND and OR, or matrix-vector multiplications which comprise between 70% and 90 % of the deep-learning operations in speech, language and vision recognition [2]. Many conventional and emerging memory technologies have been investigated for in-memory computing, such as SRAM, DRAM, flash, phase change memory, resistive RAM, and very recently MRAM [3]. However, memory technologies with very fast, low-energy switching, high endurance (and low disturb) are required to fulfil the potential of in-memory computing and compete with the conventional CMOS-based approach [1].

ULTRA RAM ™ is a patented Lancaster memory technology with a non-volatile storage time of at least 1000 years, an endurance in excess of 10 million program/erase cycles, non-destructive read, low disturb, a switching energy that is 100 times lower per unit area than DRAM, and intrinsic sub-ns switching speeds [4]. It has huge potential as a conventional memory, but also for in-memory computing.

The PhD project will be the first to investigate ULTRA RAM ™ for in-memory computing. The research will involve modelling (at different scales), and designing, fabricating and testing some simple ULTRA RAM ™ for in-memory computing circuits to show proof of principle.

This PhD is offered in collaboration with Quinas Technology . Funding for UK students is available on a competitive basis.

[1] ‘Memory devices and applications for in-memory computing’ , A. Sebastian et al., Nature Nanotechnology, 15 , 529 (2020) [ Link ]

[2] ‘In-memory Computing for AI Applications’ , E. Eleftheriou, 16 th International Conference on High-Performance and Embedded Architectures and Compilers, 18-20 January 2021 [ YouTube ]

[4] ‘A crossbar array of magnetoresistive memory devices for in-memory computing’ , Jung et al ., Nature 601 , 211 (2022) [ Link ]

[3] ‘ULTRARAM: a low-energy, high-endurance, compound-semiconductor memory on silicon’, P. D. Hodgson, D. Lane et al. [ Link ]

The project aims to develop high quality positioned quantum dot via droplet epitaxy and to explore the application in quantum optics.

This project aims to develop broadly tunable mid-infrared VCSEL devices and explore its use for interferometry. This will be achieved through the use of semiconductor type II cascade structures with an external cavity, to provide VCSEL with tenability of ~ 1 um. Precise tuning of the emitting wavelength of VCSEL pairs through self-heating phenomena will be explored to investigate the use in interferometry.

The project will be closely incorporated with MIRICO, a company dedicated in gas analysing based on laser interference induced by phase shift. The success of the project will provide a completely new technology for gas analysing, which can provide significantly improved accuracy, response time and compactness, with massively reduced cost. MIRICO will provide in-kind input, e.g. investigate the interferometry features from VCSEL pairs that commercially in the market and assess Lancaster VCSELs and their interferometry, and offer secondment opportunities for the student to develop and use their optical bench setup to assess Lancaster VCSEL. The student will be trained for the use of companies’ facilities and will be supervised by senior engineers from the company; the student will also learn about the management approaches of the companies, in particular with MIRICO which is experienced in managing EU and Innovate UK research projects. The student should also develop the skills in lecturing – he/she will be the key contact to present the research outcomes to the companies and to intake the feedback from companies to achieve the next milestone.

Also, there will be a good chance formulating a joint research proposal including Physics, LEC and MIRICO for a bid to the forthcoming UKRI research program aiming to tackle climate change and driving clean growth (focused on the theme of Clean Air). The PhD candidate will be in a consortium including physicists, environmental scientists and instrumental engineers if the bid is successful.

Professor Robert Young

Securing the digital electronic devices in our lives, from computers to smart home appliances and safety critical systems, is becoming increasingly challenging. As technology develops, nefarious parties have access to greater resources, and as device get more complex the probability of security-related bugs making their way into released products increases.

At Lancaster we have a pioneering vision of using quantum technologies to address this security challenge. Fundamental rules of quantum mechanics can be exploited to create devices with provable security metrics, including quantum key distribution systems (for security communications) [1], quantum random number generators (for unpredictable session keys) [2] to physical unclonable functions (for identification and anti-counterfeiting) [3]. The devices can then be combined to create secure systems.

PhD projects are available to develop and integrate quantum security devices, working with the fantastic facilities in Lancaster University’s Quantum Technology Centre [4]. There are also opportunities for excellent students to work with directly with our spin-out company, Quantum Base Ltd; funding is available on a competitive basis.

[1] “Quantum information to the home” - https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/13/6/063039

[2] “Extracting random numbers from quantum tunnelling through a single diode” - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-18161-9

[3] “Using intrinsic properties of quantum dots to provide additional security when uniquely identifying devices” - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-20596-8

[4] https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/quantum-technology/

Dr Rostislaw Mikhaylovskiy

An emerging alternative approach is to employ spin waves (magnons) to realize waveform-based computation, which is free from electronic Joule heating. However, the present realization of this approach, called magnonics, uses electric currents to generate and modulate magnons. In the course of this PhD project we will work towards replacement of the current by light using antiferromagnetic materials, in which spins precess on a picosecond (one trillionth of a second) timescale and strongly couple to electro-magnetic waves [1]. Yet, the antiferromagnetic THz magnons remain practically unexplored [2].

This interdisciplinary project at the interface between magnetism and photonics offers training in ultrafast optics, THz and magneto-optical spectroscopies as well as in physics of magnetically ordered materials. Also there will be opportunities for travel and experiments using THz free-electron laser facilities such as FELIX (Nijmegen, Netherlands) and TELBE (Dresden, Germany).

Interested candidates should contact Dr Rostislav Mikhaylovskiy Dr Rostislav Mikhaylovskiy for further information. Funding is available on a competitive basis.

Dr Samuel Jarvis

Project summary – The goal of this PhD project is to develop highly ordered and structurally stable molecular devices. The growth of thermally and mechanically stable molecular nanostructures is a major challenge for retaining the quantum mechanical properties of molecules in real-world and demanding environments. This is especially important in nanoelectrical devices where heat and stress can damage the molecular structure, causing device failure. This PhD project aims to overcome this challenge by developing new methods for step-by-step (atom-by-atom) on-surface synthesis of covalently stabilised molecular wires and devices. Achieving this goal will address a major outstanding challenge in translating functional molecular polymers to technologically relevant materials.

Background – Thin-film molecular layers are exceptionally important for introducing high degrees of functionality to materials. Molecules can be designed with a multitude of different physical properties, ranging from high electrical conductivity, catalytic activity, tuneable optical properties, and much more [1]. These properties are determined by the electronic structure of a molecule, making them well suited for applications in quantum technologies. In particular, on-surface polymerization restricted to one and two dimensions has received considerable recent attention [2]. Not only does covalent cross-linking of molecules greatly increase their stability, on-surface polymerization also enables the growth of unique molecular structures often otherwise impossible to synthesize, including graphene nano ribbons used as molecular wires [3].

At present, the vast majority of molecular nanoscale synthesis is limited to catalytically active metal substrates, where the catalyst metal is required to activate the polymerisation reaction. This results in strong surface coupling causing molecular distortion, orbital broadening, and electrical short-circuits, thus detrimentally affecting molecular properties and severely restricting their application in physical devices. In order to fully realise nanoscale molecular devices, we must instead fabricate molecular wires directly on semiconducting substrates such as SiO 2 , where they can be directly integrated into nanoelectronic devices. To do this, we will build on recent findings [4] highlighting the potential to fabricate nanoscale molecular structures directly on surfaces using so-called atomic quantum clusters (AQCs).

Project Outline – This project will explore methods to direct the assembly and growth of functional molecules into nanoscale structures and devices. We will study how single molecules with well-defined quantum mechanical properties can be ‘linked’ together into rigid 1D molecular wires or 2D molecular networks, starting with porphyrin and graphene nanoribbon based wires. Single molecule and atomic scale properties will be studied with images of their detailed atomic and electronic structure (with resolution better than 0.1nm). The resulting molecular structures will provide an exciting playground to develop our fundamental understanding of quantum behaviour and molecular interactions at the atomic scale, and ultimately, provide new routes for developing nanoscale electronic devices such as field effect transistors (FETs) [5].

The selected student will have the opportunity to become trained in a broad range of techniques to study a variety of nanoscale materials. This will involve advanced scanning probe microscopy methods capable of imaging single atoms and characterising nanoscale electronic and chemical properties. This work will take place in world-leading facilities including Lancaster’s Quantum Technology Centre and the award winning IsoLab, providing some of the most advanced environments for characterisation in the world. You will work in a vibrant research group, whose research has been shortlisted for the Times Higher Education award for ‘STEM project of the year’ in 2019. You will also become highly trained in nanoscale material fabrication, ultra-high vacuum technology, X-ray spectroscopy, clean room usage, device testing, and use nano-fabrication tools to prepare devices for integration with embedded systems. Students are also expected to publish high impact journal publications and present their work at international meetings and conferences, and will receive opportunities and training for personal and research development.

Interested candidates should contact Dr Samuel Jarvis for further information.

[1] T. Kudernac, S. Lei, J. A. A. W. Elemans, and S. De Feyter, Chem. Soc. Rev . 38 , 402 (2009).

[2] L. Grill and S. Hecht, Nature Chemistry , 12 , 115 (2020).

[3] P. Ruffieux, S. Wang, B. Yang, C. Sánchez-Sánchez, J. Liu, T. Dienel, et al ., Nature 531 , 489 (2016).

[4] L. Forcieri, Q. Wu, A. Quadrelli, S. Hou, B. Mangham, N.R. Champness, D. Buceta, M.A. Lopez-Quintela, C.J. Lambert, S.P. Jarvis, Nature Chemistry (under review), (2022).

[5] J.P. Llinas, A. Fairbrother, G.B. Barin, W. Shi,. K. Lee, S. Wu, et al ., Nature Communications , 8 , 633 (2017).

Professor Oleg Kolosov

Fully funded PhD position on Quantum phenomena and energy conversion in two‐dimensional materials and nanostructures. UK-Greece collaboration in European Research Council (ERC) Project.

The new PhD project is announced at Lancaster University in collaboration with the National Graphene Institute. The project focuses on the exploration of cutting-edge fundamental and applied science of “mixed physics” phenomena – electromechanical, electronic, thermal and thermoelectric - in the explosively expanding area of novel nanostructured two-dimensional materials (2DMs) and their heterostructures.

The recently discovered 2DMs – one atom thick van der Waals-bound perfect atomic layers such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD’s) - MoS2, Nb2Se3, InSe, etc, open unique possibilities for novel electronics, sensors and energy generation and storage. This class of materials offers unique and nature-leading physical properties – relativistic type electron mobility, the highest to the lowest known thermal conductivities, exceptional flexibility while record strength in mechanical properties, etc.

The project focuses on the largely unexplored area of 2DM’s where physical phenomena of different nature meet – mechanical and electrical, thermal and electronic, mechanical and thermal, initiating beyond-state-of-the-art performing thermoelectrics, nanoscale actuators, super-efficient electronics, memories and sensors. E.g. the highest known in nature thermal conductivity of graphene allows to precisely channel nanoscale heat in advanced processors, new TMD heterostructures have unique potential as advanced thermoelectric materials, and exceptional mechanical stiffness and low density of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride, coupled with low losses, allows to design in quantum nanoelectromechanical sensors with ultimate sensitivity limited only by the quantum mechanics laws.

The successful applicant will work at Lancaster University Physics Department within one of the world-leading groups in the exploration of physical properties of 2DM’s using scanning probe microscopy (SPM) where novel phenomena of geometrical thermoelectricity (GTE) in graphene and unique nanomechanics of domains in 2D materials heterostructures were discovered.

The project will target the manufacture of novel 2DM nanostructures including nanoconstrictions, heterostructures, suspended membranes and superconductor – 2DM devices using the state-of-the-art e-beam lithography equipped Lancaster Quantum Technology Centre facilities of National Graphene Institute and National Physical Laboratory . The developed nanostructures are studied using state-of-the-art SPMs combined with ultra-high frequency ultrasonic excitation, GHz range Laser Doppler vibrometry and super-sensitive optical interferometry, and microwave superconductor transport techniques, utilising world-leading European Microkelvin Platform (EMP) and ultra-low-nose IsoLab facilities housed at Lancaster Physics.

The Physics Department is holder of Athena SWAN Silver award and Institute of Physics JUNO Championship status and is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our department.

Professor Oleg Kolosov [email protected] for any additional enquiries. You can also apply directly stating the title of the project and the name of the supervisor.

It is obvious that physical scaling of the transistors underpinning digital electronics has ultimate limits. As these have been approached, increasing the size of the chip had been used to maintain Moore’s law [1]. However, this is bounded by wafer size, and has expensive yield and geometry issues. Furthermore, power constraints have restricted clock speeds for years, and there is concern about the huge amounts of electricity that computing, especially datacentres, consumes [2]. Capacity cannot exponentially increase indefinitely, but radical new approaches are nevertheless required for information and communication technologies of the future.

The PhD project will further develop a patent-pending alternative approach to digital logic [3] that abandons the CMOS paradigm underpinning computing. Practical implementation of digital logic requires pairs of devices that display complementary, or opposite, behaviour, i.e. , the same input will turn one device on and its complementary partner off. This is currently achieved by pairs of nMOS and pMOS (MOS = metal oxide semiconductor) field-effect transistors, hence CMOS, where C stands for complementary. In our concept, logical complementarity, and hence function, is achieved by a single device where an electron reservoir is sandwiched between two normally-off channels. Application of a positive gate voltage to the top of the device will pull the electrons to the top channel, turning it on, whilst the bottom channel remains off. Similarly, application of a negative gate voltage to the top of the device will push the electrons to the bottom channel, turning it on, whilst the top channel remains off. This device has a number of intrinsic advantages over CMOS, it is twice as compact, highly symmetric and expected to have lower dissipation.

The feasibility of the concept has been demonstrated via simulations and prototype devices in an existing PhD project. The scope of the new work involves next steps such as fabrication and testing of more complex logic gates and circuits, scaling of devices, low-temperature testing and integration with ULTRA RAM ™ [4].

[1] ‘Moore’s law’ , Wikipedia [ Link ].

[2] ‘How to stop data centres from gobbling up the world’s electricity’ , N. Jones, Nature 561 , 163-166 (2018) [ Link ].

[3] ‘Logic gate’, M. Hayne and J.J. Hall, patent pending PCT/GB2023/051493 (2022).

[4] ‘ULTRARAM: a low-energy, high-endurance, compound-semiconductor memory on silicon’, P. D. Hodgson, D. Lane et al. [ Link ]

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are high-speed, compact (low-cost) laser diodes used in laser printing, datacoms and other applications. Their implementation in the Apple iPhone X for facial recognition and motion sensing was soon replicated by other smartphone manufacturers, stimulating a growth in the VCSEL market from $775M in 2015 to an expected $4.7bn in 2024, a compound annual growth rate of 22% [1]. Nevertheless, many consumers and thus manufacturers, don’t like the small cut-out section at the top of the screen that is necessary for the implementation of the VCSEL arrays, preferring to place the VCSEL below the screen. However, achieving this requires VCSELs that emit beyond 1380 nm. Indeed, there are a host of telecoms-related and other applications such as LiDAR that have yet to benefit from VCSELs that emit in the telecoms range (1260 to 1625 nm).

VCSELs work by implementing the mirrors required for the laser cavity in repeated alternating layers of GaAs and Al x ­ Ga 1- x As, which have differing refractive indices, to make distributed Bragg reflectors that exploit interference effects. The use of GaAs/Al x ­ Ga 1- x As is strongly preferred as there is minimal lattice mismatch, despite the refractive index contrast, allowing ~100 layers to be grown with high quality. The problem is that the conventional method of extending the wavelength, via the introduction of In into the quantum wells in the active region, generates strain that limits the emission to wavelengths below 1000 nm.

The project will build on successful collaborative work between IQE and Lancaster developing telecoms wavelength GaSb quantum ring (QR) VCSELs [2]. The objective is to push the emission wavelength beyond 1380 nm and will involve the design, growth, processing and testing of individual VCSEL devices and VCSEL arrays.

This PhD is offered in collaboration with IQE . Funding for UK students is available on a competitive basis.

[1] ‘Vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSELs) market’ , Transparency Market Research [ Link ].

[2] ‘Vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser’ , M. Hayne and P. Hodgson US, Europe, Japan and S Korea patent [ Link ].

ULTRA RAM ™ [1,2] is an ultra-efficient, award-winning [3] memory technology invented in the Physics Department at Lancaster that combines the non-volatility of flash with the speed and endurance of dynamic random access (DRAM). Such properties are characteristic of a so-called ‘universal memory’ that has the capability to be implemented in any application, but it is likely that at least initially, ULTRARAM will be used in high-value applications where its many beneficial attributes of speed, energy efficiency, tolerance of extremes in temperature etc. outweigh the inevitably large cost per bit of small-scale production. Irrespective of the details of the first products, it will be necessary to fabricate and test large numbers of devices in increasingly large arrays and/or with smaller feature sizes in order to understand device variation, gathering statistics for a range of parameters such as yield, retention, endurance, logical contrast etc. . This will be the remit of the PhD project, placing it at the cutting edge of the development of a highly-disruptive memory technology.

[1] www.ultraram.tech .

[2] ‘ULTRARAM: a low-energy, high-endurance, compound-semiconductor memory on silicon’ , P. D. Hodgson, D. Lane et al. [ Link ].

[3] ULTRARAM Start-up Wins Best of Show Memory Technology Award in Silicon Valley - Lancaster University

Project summary – The goal of this PhD project is to help realise a new generation of switchable molecular devices with the potential to fulfil societal needs for flexible energy harvesting materials, low-power neuromorphic computing, smart textiles, and self-powered patches for healthcare. The possibility of creating these exciting materials derives from a series of world firsts by the supervisory team, demonstrating that room-temperature quantum interference effects can be scaled up from single molecules into molecular layers with the potential to translate quantum interference effects into technologically relevant materials.

Background – Thin-film molecular layers are exceptionally important for introducing high degrees of functionality to materials. Molecules can be designed with a multitude of different physical properties, ranging from high electrical conductivity, catalytic activity, tuneable optical properties, and much more [1]. These properties are determined by the electronic structure of a molecule, making them well suited for applications in quantum technologies. In particular, a technique called on-surface polymerization has received considerable recent attention due to its ability to create unique and stable 1D and 2D molecular structures with an exciting range of quantum mechanical properties [2]. This project is an exciting opportunity to realise these new materials as part of a recently awarded £7m programme of research bringing together a world leading team in molecular electronics [3].

Project Outline – This project will explore methods for surface growth and characterisation of molecular thin films designed to optimise thermoelectric and memristive properties. The successful candidate will develop new methods to prepare highly ordered molecular films including the use of on-surface reactions that can be used to link together molecules with well-defined quantum mechanical properties into rigid 1D molecular wires or 2D molecular networks. Single molecule and atomic scale properties will be studied with Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy (STM) which provide images of their detailed atomic and electronic structure (with resolution better than 0.1nm). The resulting molecular structures will provide an exciting playground to develop our fundamental understanding of quantum behaviour and molecular interactions at the atomic scale, and ultimately, provide new routes for developing nanoscale molecular electronic devices.

The selected student will have the opportunity to become trained in a broad range of techniques to study a variety of nanoscale materials. This will involve advanced scanning probe microscopy methods capable of imaging single atoms and characterising nanoscale electronic and chemical properties. This work will take place in world-leading facilities including Lancaster’s Quantum Technology Centre and the award winning IsoLab, providing advanced environments for atomic scale characterisation. You will also become highly trained in nanoscale material fabrication, ultra-high vacuum technology and X-ray spectroscopy. Students are also expected to publish high impact journal publications and present their work at international meetings and conferences, and will receive opportunities and training for personal and research development.

[1] T. Kudernac, S. Lei, J. A. A. W. Elemans, and S. De Feyter, Chem. Soc. Rev. 38, 402 (2009).

[2] L. Grill and S. Hecht, Nature Chemistry, 12, 115 (2020).

[3] https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/news/7m-award-for-quantum-engineering-of-energy-efficient-organic-smart-materials .

For more information, please visit the QMol website

Dr Benjamin Robinson

Project summary : This is an experimental project, based in the Department of Physics at Lancaster University and is associated with the recently awarded, Lancaster-led, £7.1M EPSRC programme grant, Quantum engineering of energy-efficient molecular materials (QMol) [1]. The project will help realise a new generation of switchable molecular devices with the potential to fulfil societal needs for flexible energy harvesting materials, low-power neuromorphic computing, smart textiles, and self-powered patches for healthcare.

The goal of this project is to bring together new materials synthesised by colleagues within QMol and world-leading characterisation capabilities developed at Lancaster University to realise a new generation of high-performance materials which demonstrate highly tuneable quantum properties at room temperature.

The possibility of creating these exciting materials derives from a series of world firsts by the QMol team, demonstrating that room-temperature quantum interference effects can be scaled up from single molecules into molecular layers [2,3], potentially translating quantum interference effects into technologically relevant materials.

Background : Waste heat generated by information and computing technologies (ICT) is expected to reach 30% of US electricity consumption by 2025 and is widely recognised as being unsustainable. If low-energy computing paradigms based on neuromorphic computing could be realised, which efficiently process large amounts of data with low power consumption, then much of this waste heat could be avoided. In addition, if thermoelectric (TE) energy harvesters could be developed, which perform well at relatively low temperatures (<150 o C), then waste heat from ICT could be converted back into useful electricity. Energy harvested from the environment and sources such as the human body could also be used to power the internet of things and wearable devices, with engineered thermal management relevant to applications in healthcare, fashion and high-performance clothing.

This project will contribute to these technological challenges and the associated societal and economic benefits by helping to realise large area, switchable thin-film materials and devices on rigid and flexible substrates, designed for TE energy harvesting, cooling, sensing, thermal management and memristive switching. This overarching research challenge will be met, in part, by utilising quantum interference (QI), which introduces additional dynamical range by suppressing current flow at low bias and allows fine control of electrical and thermal conductance [4].

Project Outline : This project will focus on the thin film growth of novel organic/organometallic compounds by molecular self-assembly and Langmuir-Blodgett deposition and their subsequent characterisation by a range of surface science techniques including scanning probe microscopy.

The project is predominantly experimental and you will gain interdisciplinary expertise spanning materials design, thin film fabrication, and nanoscale characterisation. You will benefit from Lancaster’s molecular thin film fabrication capabilities and a suite of state-of-the-art scanning probe microscopes to explore the physical processes of thermal and electrical transport in deposited ultra-thin structures. The compounds will be supplied by colleagues in the Departments of Chemistry at Oxford University and Imperial College, London. There will also be opportunities for you to work with colleagues from the Department of Physics at Imperial College to translate your thin films to practical device architectures.

Research Environment : You will benefit from a vibrant working environment and will be part of the QMol consortium incorporating partners across nine leading Universities and 11 industry partners. Through QMol, you will have the opportunity to develop skills in interdisciplinary working through close collaboration with colleagues studying the theory of quantum transport and device fabrication, as well as industry partners from both SMEs and multinational corporations.

You will be trained and supported in other academic skills such as the preparation of high-impact journal publications, and presenting your work at international meetings and conferences, and you will receive opportunities and training for personal and research development. In addition, you will have the opportunity to join in local and national outreach and engagement activities.

Lancaster University is a leading UK university and the Physics Department at Lancaster University is one of the top in the UK for research. REF2021 rated 98% of our research outputs as world-leading or internationally excellent. The Department is ranked 4th in the UK for Physics in the Guardian University League Tables 2023.

The Department is committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies. We are also strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We hold an Athena SWAN Silver award and Institute of Physics Juno Champion status. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our department.

The Candidate: This project will ideally suit a candidate who has an interest in interdisciplinary experimental nanoscience. Knowledge of nanomaterials or experience in either quantum transport, scanning probe microscopy and/or self-assembly of organic monolayers would be advantageous but not compulsory as full training in a wide variety of techniques will be given.

You will need to be highly motivated and be able to work as part of a team, ensuring that key milestones are reached. You will be expected to lead discussions and give regular research updates in person with the group leader and in wider research group meetings with the project consortium. The ability to plan your own workload and keep accurate scientific records is important.

General eligibility criteria: This is a highly interdisciplinary project operating at the interface of Physics, Chemistry and device engineering.  Applicants would normally be expected to hold a minimum of a UK Honours degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or a related area.

Enquiries: Interested applicants are welcome to get in touch to learn more about the PhD project. Please contact Dr Benjamin Robinson , for more information.

[1] https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/news/7m-award-for-quantum-engineering-of-energy-efficient-organic-smart-materials .

[2] Wang, X.; et al. Scale-Up of Room-Temperature Constructive Quantum Interference from Single Molecules to Self-Assembled Molecular-Electronic Films, Journal of the American Chemical Society 142 (19) 8555–8560 (2020)

[3] Bennett, T.L.R.; et al. Multi-component self-assembled molecular-electronic films: towards new high-performance thermoelectric systems, Chemical Science 13 , 5176-5185 (2022)

[4] Hamill, J.M.; et al. Quantum Interference and Contact Effects in the Thermoelectric Performance of Anthracene-Based Molecules, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C , 127 (15), 7484–7491 (2023)

• Dr Benjamin Robinson (Physics)
• Dr Sam Jarvis (Physics)
• Dr Jonathan Ward (Chemistry)
• Deadline for applications: 15th March 2024
• Provisional Interview Date: Mar - April 2024
• Start Date: October 2024

Green thermoelectricity – the sustainable generation of electricity from waste heat - has the potential to be a key enabling technology to combat climate change in the roadmap to the UK’s target of net zero greenhouse gases by 2050. However, current inorganic thermoelectric materials are inefficient, brittle, toxic and often comprised of critical raw materials. This project seeks to address these challenges through a new class of high-efficiency organic thermoelectric materials.

The programme is interdisciplinary and will span activities in Physics and Chemistry. The PhD student will primarily focus on developing new organic materials characterised in the Physics Department (Robinson and Jarvis) and synthesised in the Chemistry Department (Ward). The materials developed will exhibit room-temperature quantum interference effects, which have been shown to boost thermoelectric performance when assembled in ultra-thin flexible films. This project builds on a track record of high-impact publications led by the supervisors and their collaborators.

The project is predominantly experimental and the PhD student will gain interdisciplinary expertise spanning materials synthesis, molecular electronics, green energy materials, and scanning probe nanoscale characterisation. The student will benefit from access to advanced materials characterisation capabilities including scanning probe microscopy (SPM) housed in Lancaster’s state-of-the-art low noise facility IsoLab, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and bespoke material synthesis.

The student will benefit from a vibrant working environment and will be part of the national QMol (Quantum engineering of energy-efficient molecular materials) network, a recently funded £8.6M programme led by LU incorporating partners across nine leading Universities and 11 industry partners. Through QMol, the student will have the opportunity to develop skills in interdisciplinary working through close collaboration with colleagues studying the theory of quantum transport, and device fabrication, as well as industry partners from both SMEs and Multinational corporations.

General eligibility criteria

This is a highly interdisciplinary project operating at the interface of Physics, Chemistry and device engineering.  Applicants would normally be expected to hold a minimum of a UK Honours degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or a related area.

Project-specific criteria

This project will ideally suit a candidate who has an interest in interdisciplinary experimental nanoscience. Knowledge of nanomaterials or experience in either quantum transport, scanning probe microscopy and/or self-assembly of organic monolayers would be advantageous but not compulsory as full training in a wide variety of techniques will be given. The candidate is expected to successfully work as part of a team, with good interpersonal skills, and to successfully complete research projects suitable for the award of a PhD in physics, including publications in high-impact peer-reviewed articles.

Studentship funding

A tax-free stipend will be paid at the standard UKRI rate; currently £18,622. This is a fully funded studentship of 3.5 years for UK/Home students.

Interested applicants are welcome to contact Ben Robinson at [email protected] to learn more about the PhD project.

Further reading

• Wang, X.; et al. Scale-Up of Room-Temperature Constructive Quantum Interference from Single Molecules to Self-Assembled Molecular-Electronic Films, Journal of the American Chemical Society 142 (19) 8555–8560 (2020)
• Bennett, T.L.R.; et al. Multi-component self-assembled molecular-electronic films: towards new high-performance thermoelectric systems, Chemical Science 13, 5176-5185 (2022)
• Hamill, J.M.; et al. Quantum Interference and Contact Effects in the Thermoelectric Performance of Anthracene-Based Molecules, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 127 (15), 7484–7491 (2023)

Application process

• Download the  Natural Sciences Funded PhD Application Form  and  Natural Sciences Funded PhD Reference Form‌ .
• Complete the Application Form, renaming the document with your 'Name and Application Form' e.g., Joe Bloggs Application Form
• Submit the completed Application Form and a CV to [email protected]
• Please note only Word or PDF files are accepted
• Rename the referee form with your ‘Name and Reference’, e.g., Joe Bloggs Reference. Send the renamed reference form to two referees and request them to forward the referee document to [email protected]
• Please note only Word or PDF files are accepted. It is important that you ensure references are submitted by the closing date or as soon as possible
• You will receive a generic acknowledgement in receipt of successfully sending the application documents.
• Please note that only applications submitted as per these instructions will be considered
• Please note that if English is not your first language, you will be required to provide evidence of your proficiency in English. This evidence is only required if you are offered a funded PhD and is not required as part of this application process
• Please note that if you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, then you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. If you would like feedback on your application, please contact the supervisors of the project

Project details

The new PhD project in fundamental and applied physics is announced at Lancaster University Quantum Technologie Centre (LQTC) in collaboration with the National Scientific Research Centre “ Demokritos ” (NCSRD) in Athens, Greece, and National Graphene Institute (NGI), UK, the birthplace of Graphene, as part of the announced collaborative European Research Council project.

The challenging and high-reward PhD project will target fundamental physics in two-dimensional (2D) materials, their nanostructures, and 2D-3D materials devices developing novel principles of advanced quantum and nanoscale energy management devices. In particular, the project will investigate largely unexplored fundamental links between electronic and phononic heat transport, electrical and nanomechanical phenomena, and thermal-electrical-mechanical energy conversion in the 2D nanostructures. The project outcomes will lead to highly efficient thermoelectric and electrocaloric devices, beyond-state-of-the-art on-chip cooling, and highly sensitive photons and phonons detectors, approaching quantum limits.

The successful applicant will work in experimental research at Lancaster University Quantum Technology Centre (LQTC) in one of the world-leading groups in the exploration of physical properties of 2DM’s using scanning probe microscopy (SPM), in direct interaction with NCSRD in Athens, the world leader in molecular beam epitaxy synthesis of 2D materials, and National Graphene Institute producing unique 2D material hetero and nanostructures. The applicant will have the opportunity to spend some time in Athens and at NGI, and collaborate with leading experimental and theoretical scientists in the field. The applicant is expected to have an excellent academic record in the Physics, Material Science or Electrical Engineering, with good experience in advanced experimentation, and good analytical skills.

The Physics Department is in the top 10 of UK Physics Departments (#4 by Guardian and Sunday Times rating and #7 by Good University Guide). It is a holder of Athena SWAN Silver award and Institute of Physics JUNO Championship status and is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our department.

Applicants are expected to have the equivalent of a first (1) or upper second (2.1) degree class in Physics or Astrophysics, supplemented by a relevant Master's-level qualification. Potential applicants are invited to apply to the physics department stating the title of the project and the name of the supervisor.

Contact Professor Oleg Kolosov for any additional enquiries

Funding note

The funding for this project is restricted to UK residents and will cover national and international secondments to the NGI and NCSRD in Athens.

Condensed Matter Theory

Dr Alessandro Romito

Many body quantum dynamics underpin fundamental physical phenomena, from thermalisation to information scrambling, and many aspects of quantum technologies like quantum information processing and transport. A recent breakthrough in the field has been the discovery of entanglement phase transitions induced by local quantum measurements. This new field of Measurement induced Transitions (MIT) has already made surprising connections with condensed matter, statistical mechanics, and quantum information science. Yet, the characterisation and implications of MIT are mainly unexplored, since they can’t be captured by methods developed to date for averaged quantum dynamics.

In this project, you will analyse MITs in different many-body systems and their implications for various quantum resources, from entanglement to topological quantum order. You will develop new numerical, and possibly analytical, methods to describe these new quantum phase transitions.

Heat management at the nanoscale is a compelling task, even more now that quantum architectures for computation and transport are a near-future available technology. Exploiting quantum resources for this task is a broadly active research field. The aim of this project is to exploit specific quantum effects, i.e. topologically protected modes present in certain nanostructures. The project will focus on the thermal and thermoelectric performance of superconducting nanocircuits hosting quantum modes protected by topology, particularly when driven by external parameters to make them act at quantum thermal machines.

In this project, you will model superconducting nano-devices and their energy (heat) transport properties adapting the scattering matrix formalisms for time-dependent systems to the. You will develop both numerical simulations and analytical modelling for energy transport in driven topological superconductors.

Professor Henning Schomerus

Quantum systems can display robust features related to topological properties. These attain precise values that can only change in phase transitions where the states change their topological properties. While the scope of these effects is well understood for electronic and superconducting systems, a much richer range is accounted for photonic and in general bosonic systems. In these systems particles can be created and annihilated, which results in loss, gain, and nonlinearity. Recent years have seen a surge of activity to tailor these bosonic systems to their electronic counterparts, mostly by eliminating the mentioned differences. Going beyond these efforts, work of the supervisor and collaborators has demonstrated that topological physics extends beyond these mere analogies, leading to experimental demonstrations for laser, microwave resonator arrays, and polaritonic condensates.

What is missing is a detailed understanding of the actual scope of these extensions - how to systematically define the topological invariants, and classify systems in the manner achieved in the electronic context. This project tackles this question both generally, as well as practically by examining specific photonic and polaritonic model systems of experimental interest, and inquiring how to increase their robustness for possible applications. This project develops both analytical skills in quantum mechanics as well as numerical modelling skills.

Quantum systems can encode information, but this information quickly becomes inaccessible if the associated degrees of freedom coupled with the environment. A key recent realization points towards a mechanism whereby quantum information can be localised by combining interactions with the generic disorder. This turns previously undesired artefacts into a highly valuable resource.

In previous work, we developed an efficient description of these so-called many-body localised systems based on a simple single-particle picture. This project aims to transfer this picture to a wider context, such as interacting spins or systems with additional internal degrees of freedom or dimensions. The project develops highly advanced numerical skills, such as DMRG, exact diagonalisation, and tensor network approaches. These will be applied to a range of model systems designed to yield conceptual insights that transfer to a wide range of systems.

Dr Amos Chan

A fundamental question in theoretical physics is how quantum information gets scrambled in quantum many-body systems. Strongly interacting quantum many-body systems are notoriously difficult to analyse. A recent breakthrough has allowed physicists to make progress by utilising a new family of minimal models, called random quantum circuits, which capture universal signatures of chaos, but yet are analytically tractable since the details of the physical system are abandoned except for unitarity and locality.

This project aims to advance the understanding of many-body quantum chaos, especially in the presence of symmetries, by studying observables like the spectral form factor, entanglement dynamics, and out-of-time-order correlator. This project develops transferable numerical skills and analytical skills when possible.

The difficulty of isolating a system from its environment in realistic set-ups motivates the study of open quantum systems, which are systems containing some microscopic regions coupled to external environments. How do open quantum many-body systems relax to its steady state(s) via dissipation? What are the universal signatures of dynamical phases in many-body open quantum systems? And how does the notion of chaos and localisation differ in open systems from isolated ones?

This project aims to advance the understanding of open quantum many-body systems, specifically by studying observables like spectral statistics and entanglement dynamics. This project develops transferable numerical skills and analytical skills when possible.

Professor Janne Ruostekoski

Cold atomic gases cooperatively coupled with light provide a rich strongly interacting quantum many-body system. The atoms and photons both are treated as quantum fields that can be solved using stochastic simulations and phenomenological approximate models. Long-range interactions between atoms occur through exchange of photons. The atoms can also similarly be considered of mediating interactions between photons. The aim of the project is to study such long-range dipole-dipole interactions between the atoms and their cooperative behaviour. The research can also be related to the effects of continuous quantum measurement processes and non-trivial topologies.

One of the success stories of quantum physics is how individual quantum particles have been controlled and manipulated for quite some time. However, the realisation of a fully controllable, strongly interacting and coherent quantum system, consisting of many particles, is an outstanding challenge. A new frontier of quantum physics has recently emerged utilising photons strongly coupled to quantum atomic gases, such as Bose-Einstein condensates and atoms trapped in optical lattice potentials. Such systems can utilise quantum phenomena for higher precision measurements and for quantum information processing while the interactions between photons and atoms can be engineered and manipulated for applications in quantum technologies.

• Work For Us
• Fully-funded PhD opportunities

Fully-funded PhD opportunities to join the Solar and Space Physics Research Group at Northumbria University

The Solar and Space Physics research group is inviting applications for multiple fully-funded PhD studentships for a September/October 2024 start. The closing date for applications is Sunday 2nd June 2024 . We offer:

• 3-year, fully-funded PhD studentship,
• 4-year, fully-funded STFC Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science PhD studentship.
• 4-year, fully-funded PhD studentship (note: this opportunity has a later deadline of 20 June 2024),

4-year, fully-funded STFC Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science PhD studentships (deadline = 2nd June 2024)

These PhD projects are offered as part of the STFC Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science, called NUdata, which is a collaboration between Northumbria and Newcastle Universities, STFC, and a portfolio of over 40 industrial partners, including SMEs, large/multinational companies, Government and not-for profit organisations, and international humanitarian organisations. Please visit https://research.northumbria.ac.uk/nudata/ for full information.

These PhD studentships are for 4 years and include full fees, a living allowance (this is £19,237 for 2024/25) for full time study, and additional funding to cover research costs and national/international travel such as conferences. 

principal supervisor: Dr Sarah Bentley , Advert reference: NUDATA24-R/EE/MPEE/BENTLEY

principal supervisor: Dr Gert Botha , Advert reference: NUDATA24-R/EE/MPEE/BOTHA

principal supervisor: Dr Charlotte Goetz , Advert reference: NUDATA24-R/EE/MPEE/GOETZ

principal supervisor: Dr Richard Morton , Advert reference: NUDATA24-R/EE/MPEE/MORTON

principal supervisor: Dr Julia Stawarz , Advert reference: NUDATA24-R/EE/MPEE/STAWARZ

principal supervisor: Dr Matthew Townson , Advert reference: NUDATA24-R/EE/MPEE/TOWNSON

principal supervisor: Dr Craig Warren, Advert reference: NUDATA24-R/EE/MCE/WARREN

principal supervisor: Professor Clare Watt , Advert reference: NUDATA24-R/EE/MPEE/WATT

principal supervisor: Professor Robert Wicks , Advert reference: NUDATA24-R/EE/MPEE/WICKS

principal supervisor: Dr Stephanie Yardley, Advert reference: NUDATA24-R/EE/YARDLEY

3-year, fully-funded PhD studentship (funded via the Leverhulme Trust, deadline = 2nd June 2024)

This PhD studentship is for 3 years and include full fees, a living allowance (this is £19,237 for 2024/25) for full time study, and additional funding to cover research costs and national/international travel such as conferences. 

principal supervisor: Dr Stephane Regnier , Advert reference: RPG24/EE/MPEE/REGNIER

4-year, fully-funded PhD studentship (funded via the Royal Society, deadline = 20th June 2024)

This PhD studentship is for 4 years and include full fees, a living allowance (this is £19,237 for 2024/25) for full time study, and additional funding to cover research costs and national/international travel such as conferences. 

principal supervisor: Dr Luca Franci , Advert reference: RSF24/EE/MPEE/FRANCI

Please note:

If you wish to discuss your application informally then please feel free to contact the supervisor named on the project. We are happy to provide all applicants with guidance.

Please click on the hyperlinks above to read further details of each project (each title is a hyperlink).

You do not need to submit a research proposal for any of these funded projects, since they are already defined by the supervisor. If you have your own research idea and wish to pursue that, then this is also possible - please indicate this on your application (if this is the case, then please include a research proposal of approximately 300 words).

Deadline = Sunday 2nd June 2024 (later deadline for Dr Luca Franci project). 

Overview of the research group

We are a successful group pursuing high-international-priority research across the broad remit of Solar and Space Physics. The group demonstrates international leadership across theory, numerical modelling, observations of solar and space plasma, data intensive science, and a growing reputation for space-related hardware. You can see details of the Group * here *.

Our Solar and Space Physics research has been supported with core funding from STFC and NERC as well as funding from EU Horizon 2020, European Space Agency (ESA), UK Space Agency (UKSA), the US Air Force, the National Solar Observatory (USA), the Leverhulme Trust, and the Royal Astronomical Society. Group members sit on various national and international panels including the STFC Education, Training and Careers Committee (Prof James McLaughlin), STFC Solar System Advisory Panel (Dr Richard Morton), STFC Project Peer Review Panel (Prof Robert Wicks), UKSA’s Space Programme Advisory Committee (Prof Clare Watt) and ESA’s Space Science Advisory Committee (Prof Jonathan Rae). Members of the group, including Prof Jonathan Rae, Prof Clare Watt, Dr Shaun Bloomfield and Dr Andy Smith also contribute to the ongoing UKRI SWIMMR (Space Weather Instrumentation, Measurement, Modelling and Risk) national space weather programme in support of the UK Met Office. The group includes 1 Future Leader Fellow (Dr Richard Morton), 2 Royal Society University Research Fellows (Dr Luca Franci, Dr Julia Stawarz), 1 NERC Independent Research Fellow (Dr Andy Smith) and 2 STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellows (Dr John Coxon, Dr Stephanie Yardley).

*** Come and meet the Team ! ***

You will join a strong and supportive research team. The very best way to get a taste of this is to come and visit the Research Group in person, meet your fellow PhD students, and meet the PhD supervisors .

We have funding to support all UK National applicants who wish to visit the research group (with funding to fully cover reasonable travel and accommodation costs) . Please contact Head of Group Professor James McLaughlin if you are interested in visiting the Group, and we can arrange travel arrangement (and cover these costs). Also feel free to contact individual PhD supervisors if this is better for you.

It is hard to communicate the benefits of joining such a strong, supportive team. Hopefully the pictures below give a flavour of this!

Eligibility and How to Apply:

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see  https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/  

Please note: Applications that do not include the advert reference will not be considered.

These projects are open for both home * and international (including EU) students. Selection criteria:

• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.

* to be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• have settled status, or
• have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• have indefinite leave to remain or enter.
• If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student.

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Postgraduate research courses

The School of Physics and Astronomy offers a number of options for prospective postgraduate students wishing to follow a research-based degree programme. The School welcomes all applications for these programmes, as discussed below. Applications are particularly welcome from those with a willingness to commit to the School and University's aspirations towards equality, diversity and inclusivity.

We encourage applicants to view the list of potential PhD projects linked below, and to contact prospective supervisors.

The School has PhD and EngD opportunities covering all research themes in the School. In addition to the traditional research-based training, these programmes offer advanced taught-course components. The EngD is an alternative to a traditional PhD and is aimed at students wanting a career in industry. The EngD involves co-supervision between academic and industrial partners.

PhD studentships

Scholarships are available for PhD study in all research areas in the School: photonics, condensed matter physics and astrophysics. These fully funded PhD scholarships usually start at the end of August, but some may be available immediately. Studentships are funded by EPSRC, STFC, the European Commission and other bodies, and commonly last for 3.5 years.

Recent Graduate Discount  (Entry 2024-2025) The University of St Andrews offers a 15% discount on postgraduate tuition fees to students who have graduated or are eligible to graduate from St Andrews in the last three academic years. The discount is available if you are applying for postgraduate degree programmes at the University.  

Current PhD projects available in the School:

Discipline-specific studentships through doctoral training centres

The School allocates funded doctoral studentship places through several different application schemes, see further information on PhD funding below.

Applications for a PhD or EngD studentship are also possible through three doctoral training centres:

• Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Materials (QM-CDT)
• International Max Planck Research School for Chemistry and Physics of Quantum Materials  (IMPRS-CPQM)
• Centre for Doctoral Training in Applied Photonics

All PhD students are trained within the SUPA Graduate School , which provides advanced courses to support their research studies.

The University Postgraduate Prospectus gives an overview of research areas, funding routes and life as a postgraduate research student in St Andrews.

Apply for a PhD or EngD

The School welcomes postgraduate applications. Successful applicants for PhD or EngD study will normally have a first degree with Honours at 2.1 (UK)  or the overseas equivalent in physics, astronomy or a related subject.  Applications are particularly welcome from those with a willingness to commit to the School and University's aspirations towards equality, diversity and inclusivity. The School has Juno Champion status, which recognises physics departments who take action to embed better working practices for all staff and to address the under-representation of women in UK and Irish universities. For more information, including case studies, please see the  School's equality and diversity website and the University's equality and diversity website .

As a PhD is a research degree, undertaking work on a topic at the forefront of modern research, we review applications to ensure those we admit are able to complete such a programme. Among such applicants, in allocating studentships, our aim is to recruit those who show the most promise to benefit from our PhD programme, and to contribute to the life of our School. We recognise and value that these contributions may be of many forms, including working on important scientific problems, undertaking high impact public engagement and outreach, working with the School and University to improve the lived experience of under-represented groups, and identifying and developing novel applications of research.

If you have questions about applying to carry out postgraduate research toward a PhD or EngD, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions Secretary (email: [email protected] , phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3100).

Find out how to apply to study for a postgraduate research programme at the University of St Andrews.

Application deadlines

Applications for STFC-funded positions in astronomy should be made by 1st February, as interviews are held in late February and early March. Applications that arrive after this date may still be considered until positions are filled.

Applications for EPSRC-funded positions in physics will be considered as they arrive until positions are filled. However, you should aim to submit your application by 1st January as interviews are held from January to March. Applications will continue to be considered while funding is available.

Other scholarships may have other deadlines, please check specific information for these, and please contact your prospective supervisor(s) to enquire about these.

PhD funding

The School awards scholarships funded by the UK Research Councils (EPSRC, STFC and NERC), which can cover both fees and stipend. The research councils permit 30% of these studentships to be awarded to international applicants, with the remainder restricted to UK residents. The doctoral training centres in  Quantum Materials and Applied Photonics also award studentships.

There are several other funding mechanisms open to UK, EU and international students listed on the University's postgraduate scholarships page. Students currently attending a Scottish University may be eligible for a Carnegie scholarship .  Applicants from groups that are currently under-represented in physics may be eligible to apply for the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund .

Staff in the School regularly offer studentships funded through specific research projects including ERC and EU Horizon 2020.

International students may also consider applying for Commonwealth Scholarships , other national scholarships, or a joint PhD programme with an overseas university such as Cotutelle internationale de thèse.

If intending to apply for such scholarships, please contact your prospective supervisor in plenty of time before any external deadline.

Recent Graduate Discount  (Entry 2024-2025) The University of St Andrews offers a 15% discount on postgraduate tuition fees to students who have graduated or are eligible to graduate from St Andrews in the last three academic years. The discount is available if you are applying for postgraduate degree programmes at the University.

MSc (Res) in Physics or Astronomy

The MSc by Research, or MSc (Res) degree, is an increasingly popular one-year Masters by research degree offered by St Andrews.

The course is designed for those students and professionals who have a degree in Physics, Astronomy, or a related subject. It provides students with high-level research experience, and advanced knowledge within a specialised area of Physics or Astronomy.

The research will be carried out in the group of one of full-time academic staff members. You will be involved in the design, planning, execution, analysis and write-up phases of a high-level research task. Through this degree, you will develop a wide range of practical and computational skills.

Students undertaking an MSc (Res) have access to the same graduate-level courses provided through the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA), and a wide range of transferable skills courses provided by both the University and SUPA.

Assessment involves writing a thesis of no more than 30,000 words, describing your research and its context. This thesis is examined, but there is no viva.

Students typically choose this course to increase their practical research experience in an intensive one year of study. In most cases, it is intended that students will go on to study for a PhD degree after completing the MSc (Res) course.

If you are interested in a carrying out an MSc (Res) degree, then please contact the School by emailing  [email protected] . Find out more about  applying to a research programme . 

• Postgraduate Research

Physics PhD / MPhil

• Part time available: yes

Studying in:

• Department of Physics
• School of Physical Sciences
• Faculty of Science and Engineering

By pursuing your PhD here you’ll not only get to explore fundamental physics using state-of-the-art technology. As a full member of our research groups you’ll also be part of a large multinational collaboration, living and working at an international research facility in the UK or overseas.

Why study with us?

I studied my undergraduate MPhys physics degree at Liverpool so I already knew it was a great department in a lively city. In addition, the department has excellent facilities which are essential for my research. Laura Harkness - Physics PhD student

funding per year from the research councils, the University and other sources.

in the UK for research outputs, based on GPA, in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021)

STFC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), 2 EPSRC CDTs and 2 European Innovative Training Networks that we are leading.

Typically we welcome around 15 PhD students each year onto our full-time study programme. This generally takes 3 to 4 years to complete and requires you to submit a thesis, which is examined orally and must be on an original topic relevant to one of the following fields:

• Accelerator Science and Technology
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Nuclear Physics
• Particle Physics .

During your first year you’ll attend specialist courses provided by research-active staff members in each of our research groups. These will bring you up to the level required for frontline international research.

Additional courses, provided by the University Graduate School, will cover general research, presentation, and other transferable skills - and there are summer schools funded by the Research Councils that fund our work.

We’ve excellent facilities here in Liverpool, but most of our PhD students spend one to two years at international and national research facilities in Europe, America or Japan. Many present their work at international conferences and in scientific journal publications.

Completing a PhD research project takes dedication, good communication skills and team work. The qualification and skills you’ll gain will make you highly employable.

Our research interests closely match our research themes.

Research themes

Our research themes include:

We can offer you excellent facilities to support your research. These include:

• An in-house Design Office and Mechanical Workshop for designing and building apparatus
• The Liverpool Semiconductor Detector Centre, which features a new £3m suite of clean rooms, supports the design, construction and characterisation of silicon and germanium for particle and nuclear physics research. We’re also using the materials to create new medical imaging devices
• Advanced computer systems, including some of the UK’s fastest computer systems: large arrays of processors operated in parallel to perform intense tasks such as Monte Carlo calculations
• The department participates in local, national and international GRID computing projects (Euro-Grid, Grid-PP, UL-Grid)
• In the Surface Science Research Centre, one of the UK’s largest dedicated nano and surface science equipment bases, with state-of-the-art imaging and spectroscopy facilities.

Research groups

Particle Physics at the LHC, which started to take data in 2010 at CERN (Geneva), and at the T2K neutrino experiment, which started operation in 2010 at J-PARC (Japan)

• Using several overseas accelerators, in particular Jyväskylä (Finland), GANIL (France), GSI (Germany), ISOLDE at CERN (Switzerland) or TRIUMF (Canada) to study exotic nuclei under extreme conditions of isospin or angular momentum and at the limits of existence
• Using the techniques of scanning tunnelling microscopy, x-ray photoemission, ultraviolet photoemission, Auger electron spectroscopy and low-energy electron diffraction. The group also uses synchrotron facilities at ESRF (Grenoble), Diamond (Oxfordshire), the APS (Chicago) and SLRS (Stanford). An activity in thin film photovoltaics has been recently established

Accelerator Science and Technology , engaging in R&D projects aimed at developing techniques for novel acceleration and beam-handling for the next generation of particle accelerators.

Study options and fees

The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.

* Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.

^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.

Entry requirements

Candidates applying for a PhD/MPhil by research require a first class or good second class Honours degree from a British university or equivalent.

English language requirements

How to apply.

Research degree applications can be made online.  You'll also need to ensure that you have funding to cover all fees.

Applications are  open all year round .

More about applying for research degrees

Apply online

Before you apply, we recommend that you identify a supervisor and develop a research proposal

Find a supervisor

View staff list

Need help finding a supervisor? Contact us

• PGR Administrative Team
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +44 (0)151 794 3370

Related studentships: self-funded and funded PhD projects

Related doctoral training partnerships.

Doctoral Training Partnerships support future researchers with funding and a rewarding learning environment where you can collaborate with leading researchers.

• EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Nuclear Energy – GREEN (Growing Skills for Reliable Economic Energy from Nuclear)

Find a scholarship

We offer a range of scholarships to help you meet the costs of studying a research degree.

See scholarships

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• Research Scholarships

Physics: Fully Funded EPSRC DTP PhD Scholarship: Nanoparticle Manipulation and Integration for Quantum Optomechanical Systems (NAMIQOS) (RS605)

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Closing date: 20 May 2024

Key Information

Funding providers:  EPSRC Quantum Technologies DTP

Subject areas:  Experimental Physics, Lasers, Optics, Semiconductors

Project start date:  

• 1 October 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisor:  Dr James Bateman ( [email protected] )

Aligned programme of study:  PhD in Physics

Mode of study:  Full-time 

Project description:  

Nanoparticle Manipulation and Integration for Quantum Optomechanical Systems

Optical forces arise when light, which has no mass yet carries momentum, is deflected through interaction with a material object. Lasers of power ~100mW focused to a spot ~10um exert significant forces on objects ~100nm across. These nanoparticles can be levitated, in vacuum, and manipulated by modulating the optical field. Interferometric measurement and active feedback techniques allow these systems to approach quantum limits of position sensitivity. 

This research is part of the field of levitated optomechanics. Since the seminal demonstration of feedback cooling to sub-Kelvin temperatures [Gieseler 2012], the field has seen rapid and intense research, with recent achievements including cooling to the quantum-mechanical ground-state with optical cavities [Delić 2020] and in a cryogenic environment [Tebbenjohanns 2021]. 

This project will explore development of practical devices based on levitated optomechanics including engineered isolation of specific mechanical modes and microfabrication techniques to source, prepare, and levitate nanoparticles in a compact, robust device. Microfabrication will be explored in collaboration with Swansea University's Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials [CISM]. CISM is a new £30M research and innovation facility on Swansea University’s Bay Campus which brings together semiconductor and advanced materials platforms and offers manufacturing grade ISO-qualified clean rooms for process development, backend materials integration and packaging capabilities, and access to advanced characterisation and analysis. 

The student will benefit from integration with the nascent Swansea Doctoral Training Initiative UK-SIFS: UK Semiconductor Industry Future Skills (CISM, Meredith) which will create a vibrant, multi-disciplinary cohort experience and provide highly practical training and links with industrial partners. 

Development of the robust platform provides a route towards quantum devices, where the particle is treated as a quantum mechanical object subject to superposition and decoherence. Establishing capability in this classical space is a necessary step towards realising fully quantum-limited devices, for which there are a number of exciting theoretical proposals in accelerometry with predicted sensitivities 10-17g/sqrt(Hz) [Pontin 2018]. 

- [Gieseler 2012] Gieseler, Deutsch, Quidant, Novotny; PRL 109 103603 (2012)

- [Delić 2020] Delić et al.; Science 10.1126/science.aba3993 (2020)

- [Pontin 2018] Pontin et al.; New J. Phys. 20 023017 (2018)

- [Tebbenjohanns 2021] Tebbenjohanns et al.; Nature 595 378-382 (2021)

- [CISM] https://www.cism-swansea-semiconductors.co.uk/  

Eligibility

Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level or a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements (see  country specific qualifications ). Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

English Language:  IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.0) or Swansea University recognised equivalent.  Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.  

This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.

EPSRC DTP studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students, once the limit has been reached, we are unable to make offers to international students. We are still accepting applications from international applicants .  International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements.  

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance,  further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website.  

ATAS clearance  IS NOT required  to be held as part of the scholarship application process, successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with scholarship course offer. 

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email  [email protected]  with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. 

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at £19,237.

Additional research expenses will also be available.

How to Apply

To apply, please  complete your application online   with the following information:

In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email [email protected] where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

• Start year  – please select  2024
• Funding (page 8)  –
• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select  No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter  ‘RS605 - Nanoparticle Manipulation’

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award ; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

We encourage you to complete the following to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University: 

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form  (online form)  

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via e-mail). We strongly advise you to provide the listed supporting documents by the advertised application closing date. Please note that your application may not be considered without the documents listed:

• Degree certificates and transcripts  (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
• A cover letter  including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
• Two references  (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the  Swansea University reference form . Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
• Evidence of meeting  English Language requirement  (if applicable).
• Copy of  UK resident visa  (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission (optional)  

Informal enquiries are welcome, please contact Dr James Bateman ( [email protected] ).

*External Partner Application Data Sharing  – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.

• Schools & departments

Informatics: ILCC: Language Processing, Speech Technology, Information Retrieval, Cognition PhD, MPhil, MScR

Awards: PhD, MPhil, MScR

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Informatics: ILCC: Language Processing, Speech Technology, Information Retrieval, Cognition

Upcoming Introduction to Postgraduate Study and Research events

Join us online on the 19th June or 26th June to learn more about studying and researching at Edinburgh.

Choose your event and register

Research profile

Strongly interdisciplinary in nature, the Institute for Language, Cognition and Communication ( ILCC ) is dedicated to both basic and applied research in the computational study of language, communication, and cognition, in both humans and machines.

As technology focuses increasingly on language-based communication tools, research into the automation of language processing has become vital. ILCC offers you the broadest research scope in the UK, and a strong computational focus.

Our primary areas of research are:

• natural language processing and computational linguistics
• spoken language processing
• dialogue and multimodal interaction
• information extraction, retrieval, and presentation
• computational theories of human cognition
• educational and assistive technology
• visualisation

Much of our research is applied to software development, in areas as diverse as social media, assisted living, gaming and education.

• ILCC Website

You may find yourself working closely with other departments of the University, particularly the School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences.

Many of our researchers are involved in cross-disciplinary research centres, for instance:

Centre for Speech Technology Research ( CSTR )

The Centre for Speech Technology Research ( CSTR ) is an interdisciplinary research centre linking Informatics and Linguistics. Founded in 1984, it is now one of the world's largest concentrations of researchers working in the field of language and speech processing.

CSTR is concerned with research in all areas of speech technology including:

• speech recognition
• signal processing
• acoustic phonetics
• information access
• multi-modal interaction
• dialogue systems

The Centre is home to state-of-the-art research facilities including:

• specialised speech and language-orientated computer labs
• a digital recording studio
• perception labs
• a meeting room instrumented with multiple synchronised video cameras and microphones

There is also access to high-performance computer clusters, the University storage area network, a specialist library, and many speech and language databases.

• Centre for Speech Technology Research

Centre for Design Informatics

Data-driven innovation is transforming society and the economy. In the Centre for Design Informatics, we design systems for better human data interaction, in diverse settings such as health, culture, mobility and finance.

We explore design from, with, and by data: the central concern is the design of data flow which sustains and enhances human values. Relevant technologies range from:

• the Internet of things
• blockchains
• data visualisation
• interaction design
• social computing

Programme structure

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses.

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Training and support

You will carry out your research within a research group under the guidance of a supervisor. You will be expected to attend seminars and meetings of relevant research groups and may also attend lectures that are relevant to your research topic. Periodic reviews of your progress will be conducted to assist with research planning.

A programme of transferable skills courses facilitates broader professional development in a wide range of topics, from writing and presentation skills to entrepreneurship and career strategies.

The School of Informatics is committed to advancing the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. The School is deploying a range of strategies to help female staff and students of all stages in their careers and we seek regular feedback from our research community on our performance.

The award-winning Informatics Forum is an international research facility for computing and related areas. It houses more than 400 research staff and students, providing office, meeting and social spaces.

Amongst other research facilities, it also contains:

• several robotics labs
• an instrumented multimedia room
• eye-tracking and motion capture systems
• a full recording studio

Its spectacular atrium plays host to many events, from industry showcases and student hackathons to major research conferences.

Nearby teaching facilities include:

• computer and teaching labs with more than 250 machines
• 24-hour access to IT facilities for students
• comprehensive support provided by dedicated computing staff

Among our entrepreneurial initiatives is Informatics Ventures - set up to support globally ambitious software companies in Scotland, and nurture a technology cluster to rival Boston, Pittsburgh, Kyoto and Silicon Valley.

Career opportunities

While many of our graduates pursue an academic career, others find their skills are highly sought after in the technology industry. A number of our students serve internships with large UK and international software developers, while others take up positions with major social media companies.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, typically in an area of informatics, such as artificial intelligence, cognitive science or computer science. You should have experience in computer programming.

We may also consider a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in engineering, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy, physics or psychology.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

• Academic Technology Approval Scheme

If you are not an EU , EEA or Swiss national, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.

Fees and costs

Scholarships and funding, featured funding.

• School of Informatics scholarships for research students
• Research scholarships for international students
• Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarship

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK's governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your residency status.

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• IGS Admissions Administrator
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3091
• Contact: [email protected]
• School of Informatics Graduate School
• Office 3.42, Informatics Forum
• Central Campus
• Programme: Informatics: ILCC: Language Processing, Speech Technology, Information Retrieval, Cognition
• School: Informatics
• College: Science & Engineering

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD Informatics: ILCC: Language Processing, Speech Technology, Information Retrieval, Cognition - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd informatics: ilcc: language processing, speech technology, information retrieval, cognition - 6 years (part-time), mphil informatics: ilcc: language processing, speech technology, information retrieval, cognition - 2 years (full-time), mphil informatics: ilcc: language processing, speech technology, information retrieval, cognition - 4 years (part-time), msc by research informatics: ilcc: language processing, speech technology, information retrieval, cognition - 1 year (full-time), msc by research informatics: ilcc: language processing, speech technology, information retrieval, cognition - 2 years (part-time), application deadlines.

Applications for 2024/25 entry are now open and can be submitted all year round.

Please submit your completed application at least three months prior to desired entry date.

If you want to be considered for School funded PhD scholarships you must apply by one of two rounds:

Please note that some University and School scholarships require separate applications via the Scholarships portal.

(Revised 25 October 2023 to update application deadlines)

(Revised 15 February 2024 to extend the round 2 application deadline)

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

You must submit an application via the EUCLID application portal and provide the required information and documentation. This will include submission of:

• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• a research proposal (2-5 pages long)
• degree certificates and official transcripts of all completed and in-progress degrees (plus certified translations if academic documents are not issued in English).
• two academic references

Only complete applications will progress forward to the academic selection stage.

Read through detailed guidance on how to apply for a PGR programme in the School of Informatics:

• School of Informatics PGR Application Guidance

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes: