Research degrees
Department: School of Physics and Astronomy
Application deadline: 20 January 2021
Start date: 27 September 2021
The School of Physics and Astronomy offer the following PhD projects funded by The Sciences and Technology Facilities Research Council (STFC) for September 2021 entry
Select your project from the list and then refer to the How to Apply section to submit your PhD and funding application.
APP/2021/HUT Signatures of Life: Development and use of novel spectroscopy techniques
Supervisors: Ian Hutchinson and Tom Stallard
AST/2021/ALE The building blocks of planets
Supervisors: Richard Alexander and Giovanni Rosotti
AST/2021/BUR Finding transiting exoplanets with NGTS
Supervisors: Matt Burleigh and Mike Goad
AST/2021/GOA Mapping the central regions of AGN
Supervisors: Mike Goad and Simon Vaughan
AST/2021/LAP Astronomy at extreme energies with the Cherenkov Telescope Array
Supervisors: Jon Lapington and Steve Leach
AST/2021/NAY1 Connecting exoplanet formation to the Solar system
Supervisors: Sergei Nayakshin and Jon Nichols
AST/2021/NAY2 Sgr A*, our Galaxy’s supermassive black hole
Supervisors: Sergei Nayakshin and Andrew Blain
AST/2021/NIC Modelling the upper atmospheres of brown dwarfs and exoplanets
Supervisors: Jonathan Nichols and Tom Stallard
AST/2021/NIX Black holes, planets and dynamic accretion discs in astrophysics
Supervisors: Chris Nixon and Richard Alexander
AST/2021/ROS Studying proto-planetary disc evolution with population synthesis
Supervisors: Giovanni Rosotti and Richard Alexander
AST/2021/STA The physics of energetic transients across the spectrum
Supervisors: Rhaana Starling and Nial Tanvir
AST/2021/TAN Multi-messenger astrophysics
Superviors: Nial Tanvir and Rhaana Starling
AST/2021/WAT The AGN-galaxy connection: utilising the power of large sky surveys
Supervisors: Mike Watson and Rhaana Starling
ATM/2021/FLE Exploring the Atmospheres of the Giant Planets with James Webb
Supervisors: Leigh Fletcher and Jon Nichols
GEO/2021/MIL Electrodynamics of the solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere-atmosphere coupled system
Supervisors: Steve Milan and Suzie Imber
PLA/2021/WRI The transfer of solar wind energy into the upper atmosphere through magnetospheric waves
Supervisors: Darren Wright and Tim Yeoman
Research Council Studentships
Research Council funded Studentships schemes designed to support the training of the next generation of world-class researchers.
Studentships are available to highly motivated and qualified applicants and provide a generous support package usually including a full fee waiver, annual stipend, and research training support grant. Studentships are in most cases offered early in the year for September start.
The projects listed are in competition for STFC funding. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be awarded the funding.
The STFC studentship which includes :
• A full UK fee waiver for 3.5 years
• An annual tax free stipend of £15,285 (2020/2021)
• Research Training Support Grant (RTSG)
• Conference Fees & UK Fieldwork fund
*International applicants will be need to be able to pay the difference between UK and International fees for the duration of their studies.
For 2020 example
UK fee is £4,407 per year
International fee is £20,825 per year
Difference in fees to be paid by international applicants awarded STFC funding is £16,418 per year
2021 fees will be available in early 2021
Applicants are required to hold/or expect to obtain a UK Bachelor Degree 2:1 or better in a relevant subject.
The University of Leicester English language requirements apply where applicable.
To apply please use the online Apply Button at the bottom of the page.
With your application, please include:
• CV
• Personal statement explaining your interest in the project, your experience and why we should consider you
• Degree Certificates and Transcripts of study already completed and if possible transcript to date of study currently being undertaken
• Evidence of English language proficiency if applicable
• In the reference section please enter the contact details of your two academic referees in the boxes provided or upload letters of reference if already available.
In the funding section please specify that you wish to be considered for STFC 2021
In the proposal section please provide the name of the supervisors and project title/s you want to be considered for. You can be considered for up to two projects. (a proposal is not required)
In addition to the online PhD application please also complete the STFC Research Interests Form 2021 online at https://forms.gle/aH2TcUATuJmmXBZx8
Available to UK/EU and International* applicants
* refer to the funding section for funding information