Postgraduate research
Qualification: PhD
Department: School of Physics and Astronomy
Application deadline: Applications are closed for 2023
Start date: 25 September 2023
The School of Physics and Astronomy offer PhD projects funded by The Sciences and Technology Facilities Research Council (STFC) for September 2023 entry shortly.
Professor Martin Barstow: White dwarfs, planetary debris and fundamental physics
Professor Andrew Blain*: James Webb Space Telescope and the most luminous galaxies
Professor Emma Bunce*: Magnetosphere-surface Interactions at Mercury
Dr Matthew Burleigh: Characterising eclipsing binaries from NGTS and TESS
Dr Sarah Casewell: Investigating young variable stars in Orion with NGTS
Dr Charly Feldman: X-ray optic development for studying moons in the outer solar system
Professor Leigh Fletcher: Exploring Giant Planet Systems with the James Webb Space Telescope
Dr Michael Goad: Testing the standard model for accretion in Active Galactic Nuclei
Professor Steve Milan: Electrodynamics of the solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere-atmosphere coupled system
Professor Paul O'Brien*: The physics of Gamma-Ray Bursts and multi-messenger sources unveiled by the SVOM and Einstein Probe satellites
Dr Rhaana Starling: Lighting up the dust: the effect of energetic flares on galactic environments
Professor Nial Tanvir: Multi-messenger astrophysics
* STFC projects for Professor Blain, Professor Bunce and Prof O'Brien will also be advertised for Future 50 funding. If you would like to be considered for both funding streams you only need to submit one application but state STFC / F50 on the funding section of your application.
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:
*International applicants will be need to be able to pay the difference between UK and International fees for the duration of their studies.
For 2023/4 entry the full international fee will be £21,850. We are waiting confirmation of the UK 2023/4 fee but for 2022 this was £4,5496. The difference in fees will be approximately £16,300 (exact figure to be confirmed).
Applicants are required to hold/or expect to obtain a UK Bachelor Degree 2:1 or better in a relevant subject or overseas equivalent.
The University of Leicester English language requirements apply.
Enquiries relating to projects should go to the project supervisor (contact details are on each project).
Application enquiries to pgradmissions@le.ac.uk.
To apply please use the online Apply Button at the bottom of the page.
With your application, please include:
In the funding section: from the drop down menu select Studentship and then select STFC. In 'please specify' add STFC2023 You can ignore the percentage field.
You do not need to include a research proposal.
* STFC projects for Professor Blain, Professor Bunce and Prof O'Brien will also be advertised for Future 50 funding. If you would like to be considered for both funding streams you only need to submit one application but state STFC / F50 on the funding section of your application.
Available to UK and International applicants. Please refer to the funding section for funding information.
International applicants will need to be able to fund the difference between UK and Overseas fees for the duration of study.
International students will require a student visa in order to be able to study in the UK. There are costs associated with the visa application process, which must be met by the student; approx £2500 for the visa and healthcare surcharge. Please ensure you have the means to meet these costs before you apply to the programme.
