Postgraduate Opportunities
Postgraduate students are crucial to the research conducted within the School of Physics as well as our research themes vibrant culture and environment. Each year we take on new PhD students, as well as MSc by Research (MSc(R)) students who often go on to a full PhD, who undertake a variety of cutting edge projects that underpin much of the School's wider research.
The Particle Physics theme offers a range of postgraduate opportunities from Masters by Research (MSc(R)) to full PhD's and offers an extensive postgraduate training programme, including attendance at two residential schools during the first year.
PhDs
Our diverse group is at the forefront of data analysis and operations for the CMS, LHCb and LZ experiments. We work on the leading edge of research and development on novel detectors and systems for future experiments, such as the LHC upgrades, DUNE, Mu3e, SHiP, XLZD, Linear Colliders and other related fields of study and research.
PhD students typically join one of these experiments, undertaking physics analysis as their main activity and getting involved in some aspect of the detector operation. If you are interested, there are also opportunities to focus on detector development and the upgrade programmes, including hardware research and development, and software simulation studies.
Available PhD Projects
- DUNE - Our group has a leading role in development of the DUNE data-acquisition (DAQ) system, in particular the timing & synchronisation system, and we are actively preparing for physics analysis. As a PhD student starting in 2026, you will play an active role in installation and commissioning of the timing system at the DUNE Far Detector site in South Dakota, as well as the Far Detector itself. Your physics work will focus on the first oscillation analysis with atmospheric neutrinos.
- CMS - We specialise in searches for Dark Matter and Higgs boson physics. We published the results of a search for Higgs bosons decaying to invisible particles, combining results from several Higgs boson production mechanisms and data from LHC Run1 and 2. As a PhD student in 2026 you will analyse LHC Run 3 data on these topics while also having the opportunity to developing cutting-edge algorithms (including ML) for both the Level-1 Trigger and the Tracker.
- LHCb - We search for new physics through precision measurements of matter-antimatter asymmetry and rare B-hadron decays. These topics are brought together through innovative amplitude analyses of multi-body B- and D-hadron decays, a technique we are world leaders in. We are at the forefront of developing ultra-fast, end-to-end simulations of particle decays using cutting-edge generative machine learning techniques. In parallel, we are designing extremely fast pattern recognition algorithms for LHCb’s future particle ID detectors, the upgraded RICH and the novel TORCH, utilising modern computing architectures such as IPUs (AI-specific chip) and GPUs.
- Mu3e – We are preparing to search for signs of new physics at the intensity frontier with this medium-scale but cutting-edge experiment at the world’s most intense continuous muon source at the PSI lab. Using advanced HV-CMOS silicon pixel technology, we aim to detect extremely rare decays of muons. As a PhD student, you will participate in operation of the detector and look for signs of new physics in channels including the flagship µ->3e decay.
- LZ - Our group is engaged in the search for dark matter with liquid xenon time projection chambers. This works on the principle that light signals are expected when dark matter scatters off a xenon nucleus. Our research focuses on detecting high-energy nuclear recoil signals expected from effective field theory interactions and we published several papers on this topic in the past 2 years. As a PhD student starting on LZ in 2026 you will contribute to dark matter searches with world-leading sensitivity to WIMP dark matter interactions.
- SHiP - We are developing ultra-fast simulation techniques to produce the large data samples required to optimise the experiment design, along with advanced reconstruction and selection algorithms that will enable a zero-background experiment throughout its 15-year operation. As a PhD student, you will apply generative machine learning methods to model challenging background processes with high fidelity, directly influencing the design and performance of the detector. You will also investigate the sensitivity of the SHiP experiment to exotic signatures of physics beyond the Standard Model, that address some of the most profound open questions in fundamental physics.
MScR (Master of Science by Research)
Our one-year, research-led masters follows part of the PhD programme and includes an intensive research project. The MScR is a degree on its own but can also be converted into the start of a PhD.
How to apply for postgraduate study
** Applications for 2026 are now open. The closing date is Monday, 19 January 2026. Applications submitted after that date will be considered for the following academic year. **
--> Complete the online application form (select 'Physics' from the menu)
Before you apply, you will need:
- Name and email addresses of two referees
- Degree certificate(s)
- Transcripts
- A personal statement
- English Language certificates (if applicable)
- CV / résumé
You do not need to include a research proposal in your application. We would however like to know which area(s) and experiments are of interest to you.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to visit the School to meet prospective advisers and discuss research opportunities. This happens at our Postgraduate Open Day.
Postgraduate Open Day - Wednesday, 4th February 2026
This is a full day event, so if you are invited please plan to be available from 10am-5pm (with an optional social event at the end). The agenda varies, but usually follows a pattern similar to:
- 10:00 - a series of short talks on the various experiments and work that the group does
- 12:30/13:30 - catered lunch is provided
- 13:30 – 17:00 building tours and interviews
- 17:00 - social event with group
Interviews take place in a quiet space with you and two academics. We like the Open Day as it offers prospective students an opportunity to visit the city, observe the academic setting and meet your potential colleagues. We are a friendly group and warmly welcome people from all backgrounds.
The date of our next Open Day is Wednesday, 4th February 2026. For an informal chat or for further information about the Open Day, please email Sudan Paramesvaran.
PhD funding (for 2026 entry)
- Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) - UK and International students are eligible for:
- The tax-free stipend for 2025 entry was £20,780 per year for 3.5 years. The scholarships also cover university fees in full for UK students. These studentships are available to international students, please enquire for further details.
- Support for travel and conference attendance
- The opportunity to live near and study onsite at an experimental laboratory (e.g. CERN), for 6-18 months depending on circumstance
- Check your STFC funding eligibility
China Scholarship Council (CSC): funding and applications
Other funding for EU / International students:
For more information, visit the University's Fees and Funding page or you can email Sudan Paramesvaran.