Funding providers: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

Subject areas: String Theory, Particle Physics, Lattice Field Theory and Cosmology

Project start date:

• 1 October 2023 (Enrolment open from mid-September)
• 1 January 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-December)

Project supervisors: 

• Professor Gert Aarts (g.aarts@swansea.ac.uk)
• Professor Chris Allton
• Professor Adi Armoni (a.armoni@Swansea.ac.uk)
• Dr Timothy Burns
• Professor David Dunbar
• Professor Tim Hollowood
• Professor Prem Kumar
• Professor Biagio Lucini
• Professor Carlos Nunez
• Dr Warren Perkins
• Professor Maurizio Piai
• Professor Gianmassimo Tasinato (g.tasinato@swansea.ac.uk)
• Professor Dan Thompson
• Dr Ivonne Zavala Carrasco

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Physics

Mode of study: Full-time

Project description:

The Particle Physics and Cosmology Theory group in Swansea offers a fully funded PhD position open to all its research areas: Quantum Field Theory, Lattice Field Theory, String/M theory, Particle Physics Phenomenology, Scattering Amplitudes, Cosmology, Machine Learning in Fundamental Physics. Applicants are advised to contact a potential supervisor to discuss possible projects; details can be found here:

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/physics/research-and-impact/particle-physics-cosmology/

The candidate will join a diverse, International, and interdisciplinary, world-leading research environment, benefiting from daily interaction within a group of staff and students counting approximately forty researchers, and from the extensive programme of research seminars, journal clubs and training opportunities of the Particle Physics and Cosmology Theory group at Swansea.

Candidates must normally 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). See ‘country specific information for European and international applicants (available at the bottom of the page)'. 

English Language requirements: If applicable – IELTS 6.5 overall (with at least 6.0 in each individual component) or Swansea recognised equivalent. Details on the Swansea University English Language entry policy can be found here.

This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.

STFC 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.

ATAS

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.

NB: If you are holding a non-UK degree, please see Swansea University degree comparisons to find out if you meet the eligibility.

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk 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 UKRI rate (currently £17,668 for 2022/23).

Additional research expenses will also be available.

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

1. Course choice – please select Physics / PhD / Full-time / 3 Year / OctoberIn 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 pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.
2. Start year – please select 2023
3. Funding (page 8) –

• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS333 - PhD STFC'

*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 email):

• CV
• 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 the supervisors above.

*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.