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 welcome new PhD students, as well as MSc by Research (MScR) students who often go on to a full PhD, who undertake a variety of projects that underpin much of the School’s wider research.

The Particle Physics theme offers a range of postgraduate opportunities from Masters by Research (MScR) to full PhDs and offers an extensive postgraduate training programme, including attendance at two residential schools during the first year.

PhDs 

Our diverse group contributes to data analysis and operations for the CMS, LHCb and LZ experiments. We work on novel detectors and systems for future experiments, such as the LHC upgrades, DUNE, Mu3e, 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

Bristol Particle Physics PhD opportunities (2027 entry)

The Bristol Particle Physics group contributes to data analysis and operations for several running experiments, while also advancing research on novel detectors and systems for future experiments. We offer PhD positions in any of the specific areas listed below, so please do state your research interests in your application. 

  • DUNE - Our group has a central role in the DUNE data-acquisition (DAQ) system, in particular the DUNE Timing System, and we are also engaged in atmospheric neutrino oscillation analysis. As a PhD student starting in 2027, you will contribute to installation and commissioning of the first detector module at SURF. This will include working on the DUNE timing system, and commissioning the DAQ more broadly. You will also prepare for, and perform, some of the first analyses of data recorded with the DUNE Far Detector.

  • CMS - We specialise in searches for Dark Matter and Higgs boson physics, having coordinated publication of the combination of LHC Run 1 and 2 data searching for Higgs bosons decaying to invisible particles. As a PhD student in 2027 you will analyse the full LHC Run 3 dataset on one of these topics while also having the opportunity to create innovative 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 decays. These topics are brought together through innovative amplitude analyses of multi-body B- and D-meson decays, a technique our group is internationally recognised for. Additionally, we are working on extremely fast pattern recognition algorithms for LHCb’s future particle ID detectors on GPUs, and ultra-fast but reliable simulations using generative machine learning models.

  • Mu3e – We are preparing to search for signs of new physics at the intensity frontier with this medium-scale 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 the operation of the experiment while exploring new physics channels including the flagship µ->3e decay.

  • LZ - Our  group is searching for light signals in liquid xenon that are the result of a galactic dark matter interaction. We focus on detecting high-energy nuclear recoil signals and recently published a search that identified a possible candidate event that is difficult to explain with the current background model. Such high-energy signals arise in effective field theory interactions that go beyond the minimal spin-independent and spin-dependent scattering. As a PhD student starting on LZ in 2027 you will contribute to dark matter searches with world-leading sensitivity to WIMP dark matter interactions.

 

MScR (Master of Science by Research) 

We have a research Masters programme for self-funded students. Masters students are supported by a member of academic staff to carry out a research project which is assessed on the basis of the examination of a thesis after one year of research (part time study is also possible). There is also the option to attend relevant advanced lecture courses.

A limited number of University MSc studentships are available which cover fees at the home student rate for the MSc programme, but applicants must provide the remaining funding.

 

How to apply for postgraduate study 

** Applications for 2027 are now open. The closing date is Monday, 18 January 2027. Applications submitted after that date will be considered for the following academic year. **

 

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 

*Please keep in mind that AI-generated personal statements tend to sound generic, offering little or no information to the supervisor to help them understand which project might suit you. As we are attempting to best match projects to people, we want to hear your personal statement in your own words.

Note: You do not need to include a research proposal in your application, however we would very much like to know which area(s) and experiments are of interest to you, so please do share your preferences with us. 

--> You are welcome to complete the online application form (you will need to select 'Physics' from the menu)

Shortlisted applicants will be cordially invited to visit the School to meet prospective advisers and discuss research opportunities. This happens at our Postgraduate Interview and Visit Day. 

 

Postgraduate Interview & Visit Day - Wednesday, 3rd February 2027

This event is by invitation only. If you are invited, please plan to be available from 10am-5pm (with an optional social event afterward). 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 veggie/vegan 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. Please let us know about any adjustments you require – we want you to be as comfortable as possible.

The Interview & Visit Day also offers you a chance to look around the city, observe the academic setting and meet your potential colleagues. We are a friendly group and warmly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.    

For an informal chat or for further information, please email Sudan Paramesvaran.  

 

PhD funding (for 2027 entry)

  • Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) - UK and International students are eligible for:   
  • STFC tax-free stipends; the amount for 2026 entry was £21,805 per year for 3.5 years. The scholarships also cover university fees in full for UK students. These studentships are also 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.