PhD Physics

PhD projects

We're recruiting PhD students for a range of projects.

Explore and apply

Develop your own research and contribute to our understanding of physics on a three-year doctoral degree. You will work closely with your academic supervisor, supported by world-class researchers with wide-ranging interests, to create new insights into the physical world.

Our supportive academic community nurtures around 150 research students, all working on individual yet interrelated projects. Join one of our leading research groups, which bring together expertise in areas such as Condensed Matter Physics, Nuclear Physics, Plasma Physics and Fusion, Biological Physics and Quantum Physics.

Throughout the course you will benefit from our comprehensive training programme, designed to develop your research techniques alongside soft skills and transferable skills to enhance your employability.

Taught modules

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, including:

  • Plasma Physics for Fusion
  • First Principles of Material Modelling
  • Biophysics
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Advanced Nuclear Physics

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

  • Equip you with the skills needed to complete your PhD
  • Enable you to develop new transferable skills during your PhD
  • Increase your employability at the end of your PhD

Facilities

Our specialist facilities give you access to cutting-edge technologies and powerful equipment. On top of this, we provide access to a fully-equipped workshop with support and training, to help you design and build bespoke experimental tools.

Find a supervisor

We encourage you to do some research on our academics to really get to know how their work and expertise fits with your research interests.

If you wish to learn more about a particular academic's research, or discuss a project you may already have in mind, they are happy to answer specific questions by email or telephone.

We welcome applications at any time from those who are able to fund their own studies. Please see the link below for a selection of our research projects, or if you have your own research project in mind, please select a PhD supervisor from the list of academic staff. 

Entry requirements

You should have, or be about to complete, an MPhys degree at 2:1 or above.

A BSc at 2:1 or above, plus an MSc in Physics may also be accepted. We will also consider applicants with a Masters in a closely related field, or who have relevant industry experience.

We assess all applications on an individual, case-by-case basis.

English language requirements

How to apply

You can apply online. You will need to provide:

  • a CV
  • an official academic transcript (or interim document if you have not yet received your award)
  • contact details of two academic referees

On your application form please let us know about your research interests. If you are interested in working with a particular supervisor, please make this clear.

Apply now

Contact us

Professor Sarah Thompson
Graduate Admissions Tutor

Mandie Hudson
Postgraduate Admissions Administrator

Fees and funding

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