A fully funded, 3.5-year PhD position is available in the Quantum Systems and Devices Group in the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies, a Centre of Excellence, within the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Sussex.
Type of award: PhD Studentship
PhD project
The Project
Neutral atoms can be cooled and trapped using a combination of static and oscillating electro-magnetic fields. We produce Bose-Einstein condensates on atom chips and use them to microscopically probe the magnetic field close to surfaces with very high sensitivity. With our magnetic microscope we can image active current flow patterns in nanostructured samples which is a novel technique in high demand for many studies in materials science and bio-engineering [1].
During this project we will characterise the magnetic microscope, prepare and study samples of nanostructured materials as well as biological samples. Based on such measurements the aim is to further improve the sensitivity of the microscope to electric current in two dimensional (2D) samples. The project involves experimental work on atom chip based ultracold atomic systems, study of atom-surface interactions, imaging of current flow patterns in 2D samples, and the comparison of such measurements to other imaging techniques.
The PhD student will play a central role in this investigation and will learn a wide array of tools in atomic physics, quantum technology (lasers, optics, electronics, vacuum systems, microfabrication), materials and bio-engineering.
Skills and training:
Skills development and training will be provided through lectures, transferable skills modules and practical laboratory-based training, as well as SEPnet-wide training workshops and events.
Amount
- Fully-paid tuition fees for three and a half years.
- A tax-free bursary for living costs for three and a half years (£19,237 per annum in 24/25).
- Additional financial support is provided to cover short-term and long-term travel.
- If you are not a UK national, nor an EU national with UK settled/pre-settled status, you will need to apply for a student study visa before admission.
Eligibility
Applicants must hold, or expect to hold, at least a UK upper second class degree (or non-UK equivalent qualification) in physics, or else a lower second class degree followed by a relevant Master's degree.
The candidate should have background in atomic and quantum physics.
This award is open to UK and International students. If you are not a UK national, nor an EU national with UK settled/pre-settled status, you will need to apply for a student study visa before admission.
Deadline: Friday 4th April 2025 at 23:45 (GMT).
How to apply
Apply online via the University of Sussex portal, by clicking the 'APply' button, above.
State in the Funding section of the application form that you are applying for EPSRC/2025/01
We advise early application as the position will be filled as soon as a suitable applicant can be found.
Due to the high volume of applications received, you may only hear from us if your application is successful.
Contact us
If you have practical questions about the progress of your on-line application or your eligibility, contact Zara Jones at mps-pgrsupport@sussex.ac.uk
For academic questions about the project, contact:
Dr Fedja Orucevic (F.Orucevic@sussex.ac.uk) or
Dr Julia Fekete (J.Fekete@sussex.ac.uk).
• Fully-paid tuition fees for three and a half years. A tax-free bursary for living costs for three and a half years (£19,237 per annum in 24/25). Additional financial support is provided to cover short-term and long-term travel.
