Research topics and projects
Below is a full list of the PhD research projects that supervisors have identified for potential students.
Projects identified as funded typically only cover UK national students; however, some funded projects can be extended to cover international fees. Please contact the supervisor to discuss this.
All other projects listed here may become funded in the future, for instance through collaboration schemesLink opens in a new window or late funding releasesLink opens in a new window, so if the topic interests you we encourage you to apply to it and contact the indicated supervisor. You can also consider if you may be eligible for any independently funded studentshipsLink opens in a new window.
Submit your application online hereLink opens in a new window. Details and FAQs on the application process are hereLink opens in a new window.
| Condensed Matter Physics Filter PhD projects: Funded / all. |
Theoretical and Computational Physics Filter PhD projects: / . |
Medical and Biophysics Filter PhD projects: / . |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics Filter: All projects. |
Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics Filter PhD projects: / . |
|
Conformable EMAT arrays for inspection of defects in welds
Supervisor: Rachel Edwards
More details on this project
Start date: October 2026
Funding: The project is fully funded for 42 months
Development of Solid-State NMR Methods for Application to Pharmaceutics
Supervisors: Steven P. Brown, Maria Adobes Vidal (Novartis)
More details on this project
Start date: October 2026
Funding: The project is fully funded for 42 months (糖心TV and Novartis)
Whole particle modelling of Pt nanoparticles stability for fuel cells using Machine Learning approaches
Supervisors: Nicholas Hine, Scott Habershon, James Kermode, Misbah Sarwar (Johnson Matthey)
More details on this project
Start date: October 2026
Funding: The project is fully funded for 48 months (EPSRC and Johnson Matthey)
Dimensional band engineering of artificial magnets
Supervisor: Geetha Balakrishnan
More details on this project
Start date: October 2026
Funding: The project is fully funded for 42 months
Topological Magnetism in Single Crystal Quantum Materials
Supervisor: Daniel Mayoh
More details on this project
Start date: October 2026
Funding: The project is fully funded for 42 months (EPSRC)
Advanced photodetectors for water contamination monitoring
Spin- and time-resolved photoemission of epitaxial magnetic heterostructures for energy-efficient electronics
Supervisor: Gavin Bell
More details on this project
This is a joint project with CY Cergy Paris University. Please contact the supervisor for further details if you are interested.
Start date: October 2026
Constructing an Artificial Interphase for Tin Metal Anodes through Informed Design
Diagnosing stress corrosion cracking in steel at the nanoscale
Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership - MIBTP
The Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP) unites six leading universities in an ambitious mission to drive innovative, world-class research in life sciences and bolster the UK鈥檚 growing bioeconomy, using interdisciplinary and quantitative approaches.
For the MIBTP programme starting in October 2026, Steven BrownLink opens in a new window and Wing Ying ChowLink opens in a new window are offering projects in plant sciences, microbiology, and ageing.
More information on how to applyLink opens in a new window can be found on the MIBTP webpage.
Functionality induced by local symmetry breaking
Supervisor: Marin Alexe (糖心TV) and Yao Kui (Singapore)
This project is part of the 糖心TV A*STAR Research Attachment Programme (ARAP). More details on this joint scholarship scheme
Start date: October 2026
Funding: The joint 糖心TV-A*STAR Singapore project is fully funded for 42 months (ARAP)
Innovative Design and Precision Characterization: Unleashing the Potential of Next-Gen Piezoelectric Thin Films for High-Speed Wireless Communication
Supervisor: Peng Wang (糖心TV) and Huajun Liu (Singapore)
This project is part of the 糖心TV A*STAR Research Attachment Programme (ARAP). More details on this joint scholarship scheme
Start date: October 2026
Funding: The joint 糖心TV-A*STAR Singapore project is fully funded for 42 months (ARAP)