physics phd programs in europe

• UFR Droit Economie Management
• UFR Médecine
• UFR Pharmacie
• UFR Sciences
• UFR Sciences du Sport
• AgroParisTech
• CentraleSupélec
• ENS Paris-Saclay
• Institut d'Optique
• Polytech Université Paris-Saclay
• Accessibility

PhD PROGRAM PHYSICS - GRADUATE SCHOOL PHYSICS

The program involves all the PhDs related to the Physics Graduate School. It covers all fields of physics, from fundamental to applied, from theory, modeling and simulation to instrumentation, from laboratory experiments to large instruments placed on large research infrastructures or in space, from the disciplinary core to interfaces. 

It also integrates numerous socio-economic issues at the interface with physics (energy, health, environment, etc.). 

This program is linked with 4 Doctoral Schools: 

• EDOM (Waves and Matter Doctoral School), 
• PHENIICS (Particles, Hadrons, Energy, Nuclei, Instrumentation, Imaging, Cosmos and Simulation), 
• AAIF (Astronomy and Astrophysics for Paris Area), 
• EDPIF (Doctoral School for Physics in Île-de-France)

Physics (all fields)

Program content.

Waves and Matter Doctoral School (EDOM)

The Doctoral School Waves and Matter - EDOM - covers quantum physics, dilute matter and optics.

More precisely, the fields covered are quantum physics, optics, atomic and molecular physics, laser physics, plasma physics, nanophotonics as well as the interface fields of these themes such as biomedical imaging or condensed matter. All types of plasmas are represented at EDOM (cold and hot plasmas, stellar, interstellar and fusion), as well as their technological applications. In particular, EDOM is involved in magnetic confinement fusion.

 Learn more about EDOM

 Particles, Hadrons, Energy, Nuclei, Instrumentation, Imaging, Cosmos et Simulation (PHENIICS)

The PHENIICS graduate school (ED N° 576) is the Ile-de-France graduate school whose themes are centered on subatomic physics; its particularity is to federate students ranging from applied physics to fundamental physics in this field. It relies on a unique network of research units on this theme, located in the Paris-Saclay area.

Learn more about PHENIICS

Astronomy and Astrophysics for Paris Area(AAIF)

The "Astronomy and Astrophysics of Ile-de-France" Doctoral School offers graduates from physics and mathematics studies training in and through research in the vast interdisciplinary field of astronomy and all its techniques of observation, measurement and calculation.

The Doctoral School offers physicists and mathematicians training in and through research in the vast interdisciplinary field of astronomy and all its methods of observation, measurement and calculation. It covers a field whose development is considerable and unceasing: discovery of extrasolar planets, renewal of cosmology at the interface with particle physics, development of astrochemistry, in situ exploration of the solar system, space navigation, planetology at the interface with the sciences of planet Earth. Powerful observation tools are being prepared, both in space and on the ground, affirming the place of Europe, using a wide variety of advanced technologies (optics, metrology, cryogenics, automation, etc.).

Learn more about AAIF

Physics in Ile de France(EDPIF)

Its scientific field covers essentially the physics of fundamental interactions, the quantum physics of diluted or condensed matter, statistical physics, the physics of soft or biological matter, but also the fundamental aspects of optics, acoustics and hydrodynamics.

Its scientific position is that of fundamental physics, both theoretical and experimental, and the applications that naturally follow from it.

Learn more about EDPIF

• Laboratoire de physique des deux infinis Irène Joliot-Curie (IJCLab, UMR 9012)
• Institut d'astrophysique spatiale (IAS, UMR 8617)
• Unité de recherche SOLEIL (SOLEIL, UR 1)
• Signalisation, radiobiologie et cancer     (SCR, UMR 3347)
• Département de Physique des Particules (DRF/IRFU, DPhP)
• Département de Physique Nucléaire (DRF/IRFU, DPhN)
• Département d'Electronique des Détecteurs et d'Informatique pour la Physique (DRF/IRFU, DEDIP)
• Département des Accélérateurs, de la Cryogénie et du Magnétisme (DRF/IRFU, DACM)
• Institut LIST (LIST)
• Département des Matériaux pour le Nucléaire (DES/ISAS, DMN)
• Laboratoire en Informatique Haute Performance pour le Calcul et la simulation (DAM, LIHPC)
• Laboratoire Matière sous conditions extrêmes (DAM, LMCE)

External laboratories : 

• Institut de Radioprotection et de sûreté nucléaire : IRSN
• CEA Cadarache/IRESNE/DES/DER/SPRC/LPN
• CEA Marcoule : DES/ISEC/DMRC/SASP/LAAT
• Laboratoire Charles Fabry (LCF, UMR 8501)
• Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d'Orsay (ISMO, UMR 8214)
• Laboratoire de Physique des Solides (LPS, UMR 8502)
• Laboratoire de physique des gaz et des plasmas (LPGP, UMR 8578)
• Laboratoire Matière sous conditions extrêmes (LMCE)
• Optique et techniques associées (DOTA)
• Service de Physique de l'Etat Condensé (SPEC)
• Laboratoire Interactions, Dynamiques et Lasers (LIDYL)
• Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies (C2N, UMR 9001)
• Laboratoire de Physique des Plasmas (LPP, UMR 7648)
• Physique, Instrumentation, Environnement, Espace (DPHY)
• Institut de Chimie Physique (ICP, UMR 8000)
• Laboratoire Aimé Cotton (LAC, FRE 2038)
• Laboratoire Lumière, Matière et Interfaces (LuMin, FRE 2036)
• Laboratoire de physique théorique et modèles statistiques (LPTMS, UMR 8626)
• Institut de physique théorique (DRF, IPhT)
• Service de Physique de l'Etat Condensé (DRF/IRAMIS, SPEC)
• Unité mixte de physique CNRS/Thales (UMPhy, UMR 137)
• Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d'Orsay (ISMO, UMR 8214)·    
• Unité de recherche SOLEIL (UR 1)
• Service de Recherches de Métallurgie Physique (DES/ISAS/DMN, SRMP)
• Laboratoire Léon Brillouin (DRF/IRAMIS, LLB)
• Fluides, Automatique et Systèmes Thermiques (FAST, UMR 7608)
• Laboratoire de recherche en informatique (LRI, UMR 8623)
• Laboratoire des Signaux et Systèmes    (L2S, UMR 8506)
• Maison de la Simulation - DRF (MdlS)
• UMS IOGS-CNRS (UMS 3676)
• Astrophysique, Instrumentation et Modélisation de Paris-Saclay (DRF/IRFU/DAp, AIM)
• Département d'Astrophysique (DRF/IRFU, DAp)
• Laboratoire ATMosphères, Observations Spatiales (LATMOS, UMR 8190)  

PhD students admitted to the Phd program will have a public law doctoral contract. The duration of the contract is 3 years. The contractual Phd students are full-time employees with the sole or main mission of carrying out their doctoral project. They may also be entrusted with complementary missions of teaching, scientific mediation, valorization or expertise.

More information

Possible employers* for PhD students under contract to the program are :

• Université Paris-Saclay (Faculties of Sciences of Orsay, Medicine, Pharmacy, Sports Sciences and Law-Economy-Management)
• University of Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines
• University of Evry Val d'Essonne
• Centrale Supélec

* This list remains to be completed or specified

The Doctoral Schools of the GS Physics PhD program supervise the PhD students throughout their thesis, by appointing referents who interact with them regularly.

EDOM : During the course of their thesis, PhD students have access to an individual monitoring committee, an advisory body that ensures, through annual meetings with the student, that their doctoral training is going well. This committee monitors the progress of the PhD student in his/her ability to present his/her research work. It helps the PhD student to take stock of the progress of his or her doctoral training, as well as the state of preparation for his or her future career.

AAIF : The AAIF doctoral school organizes a post-thesis training during which PhD students can meet the presidents of the A&A sections of the CNRS, CNU and CNAP, meet company managers from the aerospace sector, and work on writing CVs and application letters under the supervision of recruitment professionals. In 2021, the AAIF ED has also established a partnership with PhDTalent to promote the skills of these PhD students on social networks (LinkedIn, Twitter), to post job offers selected from keywords adapted to their skills and expertise.  

• EDPIF : For each PhD student, an individual monitoring committee is set up, independent of the thesis director. A meeting concerning the progress of the thesis and the future is organized with the monitoring committee, the PhD student and the supervisors at the end of each year of the thesis (at least). During this meeting, the monitoring committee must also discuss with the supervisor(s) in the absence of the PhD student and conversely with the PhD student without the supervisor(s). At the end of this meeting, the follow-up committee sends its report on the meeting to the ED and possibly makes recommendations on the continuation of the thesis and on re-registration. Additional meetings of the follow-up committee are organized for any thesis presenting specific problems, whatever their nature, or extending, as an exception, over all or part of a fourth year. For more details see : https://www.edpif.org/fr/parcours/suivi.php
• PHENIICS : Each PhD student is supervised by a person who follows him/her throughout the thesis. The progress of the thesis work and the training courses followed are reviewed each year at the time of registration. A sponsorship system is also in place in most laboratories. In case of problems revealed either during the annual interview or during the course of the thesis thanks to the sponsorship system, a supervisory committee is set up to understand the nature of the problems and to propose solutions.

PhD students enrolled in the Doctoral Schools of the GS Physics program find employment in both the academic and private sectors.

Approximately half of our PhDs eventually find a job in the field of research in universities or large research organizations in France (CNRS, CEA, ONERA, etc...) or abroad. Industry is also a very important outlet. Most of our PhDs work in technical or technological fields that allow them to make the most of the skills they have acquired. They are divided between large groups (Thales, Saint Gobain, etc.), SMEs and technological start-ups. 

Over a 10-year period, about 30% of PhDs enter the world of academic research in France or abroad. Some go on to secondary education. Most pursue a career in the private sector with a very wide range of scientific and management professions in France or abroad. The number of unemployed PhDs is around 3%. 

While the historical career outlet of the PhD is higher education and research, a significant and growing number of PhDs are pursuing their careers in the private sector, in many types of functions, and not only in R&D. According to the statistical study conducted in 2017 by the MESR on PhDs who graduated in 2015, 46% of PhDs in physics have a job in the academic sector and exactly as many in the private sector, of which only 20% are in R&D. For more details see : https://www.edpif.org/fr/parcours/poursuite.php

More than half of the PhDs are employed in the academic world in France (universities and research organizations) or abroad. Many PhDs also join the R&D departments of large technology-based groups (Thales, Safran, Areva, EDF, etc.), while others find employment in small and medium-sized companies with high industrial and technological value or in start-ups, of which they may also be founders.

How to be admitted to the doctoral program in Physics ?

Find below the different steps to apply to the Physics Program - Graduate School Physics

Prerequisite 

The student must hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) and have the agreement of the thesis director.

Evaluation criteria

The main evaluation criteria are the quality of the candidate's academic record, the quality of his/her presentation and his/her answers to questions during the audition, as well as the relevance of the candidate's background in relation to the thesis topic and the host team.

Other relevant evaluation criteria are :

• the results obtained by the candidate in the Master's program (M1 and M2) ;
• the candidate's research skills, as assessed from the research internship periods;
• letters of recommendation;
• the candidate's motivation and ability to integrate into the research team;
• the professional project expressed by the candidate and its consistency with the doctoral project.

Where and how to apply?

Have you found your subject?

Identify the doctoral school related to your subject

Consult below the application procedures of the doctoral school concerned

Submit your application on ADUM

How to apply to ED EDOM?

Application file format, audition format, jury – examination of the application, 2024 calendar - candidates.

• All mandatory sections of ADUM,
• A one or two page Curriculum Vitae,
• An opinion from two former research internship supervisors according to a specific form,
• One or two letters of recommendation,
• Transcripts from the last year of the Bachelor's degree (or equivalent),
• Transcripts from the different years of the Master's program (or equivalent),
• A copy of the Master's degree or certificate of completion if available,
• A copy of an identity card.

The audition lasts 25 minutes in total.

The candidate has 12 minutes for his/her presentation.

The remaining time is dedicated to questions from the jury.   Format The recommended format for the presentation is as follows

• 1 sheet of CV,
• 3-4 sheets presenting a research internship,
• 2 sheets presenting the thesis project.

During the questions, the main focus is on the research internship presented by the candidate. The audition can be done by videoconference. The future thesis director is invited to the audition as an observer.

The eligibility jury (examination of the files) is made up of the EDOM office (director and assistant director).  

The audition jury is made up of members of the doctoral school's board. It meets in the form of 2 sub-juries. No member of the jury auditions a candidate from his/her own laboratory.

• Tuesday April 9, 2024: Deadline for submission of thesis topics on ADUM
• Tuesday April 23, 2024: Closing date for applications on ADUM
• Monday June 3 and Tuesday June 4, 2024: Audition of candidates
• Monday June 10, 2024: Announcement of results

How to apply to ED PHENIICS?

Jury - examination of the application, 204 calendar - candidates.

All sections of ADUM.  

If applicable, the most recent MASTER grades or transcripts

Exchange of about 20 minutes with the jury, no slide presentation is required.

The candidate first briefly explains his or her doctoral project (Why this thesis? What is the interest? What is the context? etc...)

then the discussion continues in the form of questions and answers.

The jury is made up of members of the board of directors, supplemented by members of the council in order to ensure the thematic coverage of the competition.

The elected representatives of the PhD students on the board are invited as observers.

The ranking is established by the jury after the auditions.

• Friday April 26, 2024: Deadline for submission of thesis topics on ADUM
• Friday May 10, 2024: Application deadline on ADUM
• Wednesday May 29 to Friday May 31, 2024: Audition of candidates

How to apply to ED AAIF?

2024 calendar - candidates.

All sections of ADUM.

A transcript of grades from a MASTER's degree or recent equivalent.

The audition lasts 20 minutes.

A 10-minute presentation should outline the candidate's previous research experiences (their scientific objectives, methodologies used and results obtained) and should show that the candidate understands the issues at stake in the proposed topic and how he or she is capable of making a significant contribution to it.

The candidate may spend 1 to 2 minutes introducing him/herself, 4-5 minutes describing his/her research experience (mainly the M2 internship) and 4-5 minutes on the thesis topic and its issues.

This presentation is followed by 10 minutes of questions.

The admissibility jury (examination of the files) is made up of the ED office (director and deputy director).

The audition jury is made up of members of the doctoral school's board.  

A first jury of the competition (beginning of June) reviews the applications, and is likely to attribute at most 1/3 of the available doctoral contracts. The selected candidates are notified directly by e-mail.

The final jury of the competition (beginning of July) allocates all the remaining available contracts and creates a waiting list. The selected candidates are asked to respond to this proposal within a week in order to allow a good management of the withdrawals.

• Wednesday January 31, 2024 Thesis submission deadline
• Friday April 19, 2024 Closing date for submission of thesis topics on ADUM
• May 28, 29 and 30 - June 3 and 4, 2024 Audition of candidates
• Friday June 7, 2024 Announcement of results

How to apply to ED PIF?

2024 calendar – candidates.

Applications are made online at :  https://www.edpif.org/fr/recrutement/candid.php

Candidates have ten minutes to introduce themselves with particular emphasis on their past research activities.

A maximum (indicative) of two slides should be devoted to the presentation of the thesis topic.  

The eligibility jury then asks questions for approximately five minutes.

Candidates may speak in English or French, as they wish.

The competition is managed by a competition committee made up of the four members of the doctoral school's board of directors and four teacher-researchers or researchers from the ED's laboratories, from each of the supporting institutions.

The competition jury is made up of the members of the competition committee, as well as researchers or teacher-researchers designated by the competition committee. The board and the jury, renewed in whole or in part each year, are composed in such a way as to best represent all the themes of the ED.

Their composition is submitted to the ED council.

• The competition office carries out a pre-selection of candidates who will be selected for an audition.
• The selected candidates are then auditioned by the competition jury, divided into 4 sub-juries.
• The competition office finally establishes a ranking consisting of a main list and a supplementary list. This ranking is based on the evaluation of the academic file and on the audition. It takes into account the number of doctoral contracts awarded by each institution.
• Finally, the ED council validates the distribution of funding on the basis of the ranking established by the jury
• November 3, 2023 : Applications open
• Thursday April 25, 2024: Deadline for submission of thesis topics
• Monday April 29, 2024: Closing date for applications on ADUM
• Monday June 3 to Thursday June 6, 2024: Audition of candidates
• From June 8, 2024: Announcement of results

Communication tools

The employment status of graduate school physics phds as of december 1, 2019.

33 PhD Programmes in Physics in Europe for 2024

• Natural Sciences

Natural Sciences (33)

• Atmospheric Sciences (1)
• Biology (24)
• Chemistry (28)
• Earth Science (18)
• Geographic Sciences (11)
• Imaging Science (1)
• Mathematics (20)
• Applied Physics (7)
• Nuclear Physics (3)
• Particle Physics (4)
• Theoretical Physics (2)
• Scientific Research Methodologies (3)
• Space Sciences (4)
• Back to main category
• United Kingdom (3)
• Czech Republic (8)
• South Africa (0)
• Doctor of Education (0)
• 2 years (0)
• 3 years (12)
• 4+ years (16)
• Full time (29)
• Part time (9)
• English (29)
• Spanish (2)
• Galician (2)
• Russian (2)
• Italian (1)
• On-Campus (32)
• Distance learning (0)
• Blended (1)
• Applied Physics
• Nuclear Physics
• Particle Physics
• Theoretical Physics

Condensed Matter and Photonics (Research)

Cardiff university.

• Cardiff, United Kingdom

Full time, Part time

Condensed Matter and Photonics (CMP) brings together scientists with complementary skills, to share knowledge and resources, to provide a focus and direction for the future of our physics research, and provide training for the next generation.

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Doctorate in Physics - MAP-Fis (Taught in English)

Universidade de aveiro.

• Aveiro, Portugal

Graduate School Cluster of Excellence‚ CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter

Universität hamburg.

• Hamburg, Germany

The education and promotion of young researchers is a key aspect and ingredient for the successful operation of the Graduate School Cluster of Excellence‚ CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter. Substantial parts of the scientific work are performed by researchers at the early stages of their careers. In particular PhD students and postdocs represent the driving force and backbone of modern scientific developments due to their impartiality, fresh views, and enthusiasm.

Mathematics and Physics (4 Years)

University of ljubljana.

• Ljubljana, Slovenia

English, Sinhala, Sinhalese

The main objective of the Mathematics and Physics Program is to train highly qualified researchers for independent research in their narrow specializations. The structure of the Program in the organized part guarantees students a sufficient wider knowledge that is indispensable for a young expert involved as an active member of large interdisciplinary research groups. The doctoral Program in Mathematics and Physics is organized by the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics with cooperation of internationally recognized foreign experts and experts from other faculties of the University of Ljubljana.

Ph.D. Track Programs

Institut polytechnique de paris.

• Palaiseau, France

Ph.D. track is a five-year integrated Master and Ph.D. Program aimed at high-potential undergraduate students who know from the Master’s level that they wish to commit to a scientific Ph.D. Ph.D. The track offers students a selective and personalized curriculum, training periods at laboratories, and the opportunity to focus gradually on their thesis subject. This pathway provides a springboard for tackling future scientific challenges in research and development centers of companies and major universities. Students can choose from a wide range of research fields such as Computer Science; Data & Artificial Intelligence; Advanced Materials; Life sciences; Chemistry & Interfaces; Electrical Engineering; Physics; Mathematics, Mechanics, etc.

Ph.D. in Physics, Earth and Materials Sciences

University of camerino the international school of advanced studies.

• Camerino, Italy

English, Italian

Area: Physics, Earth and Materials Sciences

Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics

Pavol jozef safarik university faculty of science.

• Košice, Slovakia

The Ph.D. program in Theoretical Physics covers the research of physical properties of solid-state systems, phase transitions and critical phenomena in diverse magnetic systems, theoretical investigation of skyrmions, ab initio study of electron structures of new functional materials, investigation of developed turbulence, percolation phenomena and chemical interactions, applications of statistical mechanics in geostatistics and data reconstruction.

PhD in Applied Physics

Vsb - technical university of ostrava.

• Ostrava, Czech Republic

Do you like the physics and its applications, fascinate you with the devices and equipment that our technical civilization creates, you want to participate in their development, and you have successfully completed a master's degree study of the same or related study program? Then the doctoral program Applied Physics is the right choice for you. You will become an expert in one of four optional subjects: Optical Diagnostics, Magnetic Properties of Materials, Applied Nuclear Physics, or Progressive Technologies of Material Disintegration. So do not forget to submit all required documents in time.

PhD in Applied Sciences in Engineering

Technical university of liberec.

• Liberec, Czech Republic

Applied Sciences in Engineering is a PhD programme focused on the research of problems in the boundary between engineering and natural sciences. The scope of the PhD thesis falls into one or more of the following areas:

PhD in Condensed Matter Physics

The study program Condensed Matter Physics focuses on the predominantly experimental investigation of structural, transport and magnetic properties of various solid objects involving man-made structures and nanosystems attractive for studying fundamental physical phenomena and those with high application potential.

PhD in Fluid Thermodynamics Engineering

Universidade santiago de compostela.

• Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Spanish, Galician

The PhD Program in Fluid Thermodynamics Engineering is a scientific-technological program defined from two concepts, thermodynamics (from the Greek heat force) and fluid as a working material system. Its lines of research are based on energy, its transformations, working fluids and chemical processes, and its objectives are focused on efficiency and sustainability as the foundations of society's technological development.

PhD in Nuclear Fusion Science

Peter the great st. petersburg polytechnic university.

• Saint Petersburg, Russia

English, Russian

PhD in Nuclear and Particle Physics

The doctoral program is developed in the prestigious field of Nuclear and Particle Physics, which seeks to understand the structure of matter by studying its most elementary components in terms of nuclei, particles and the interactions between them.

PhD in Physics

Kaunas university of technology.

• Kaunas, Lithuania

The objective of doctoral studies in Physics is the development of highly qualified researchers in the field of physics, who are able to conduct scientific research for solutions to critical problems. This joint doctoral program provides doctoral students with competencies and knowledge in the areas of condensed matter, the interaction of radiation and matter, optical spectroscopy; the program offers a wide range of topics and general experimental and theoretical research in the areas of meso, micro, and nanostructures, photonic structures, including their formation, analysis and application in plasmonics, biosensors and alternative energy.

University of Pécs

• Pécs, Hungary

8 semesters

The Doctoral School of Physics covers the fields that are the subjects of research in the Institute of Physics; namely, laser physics, including THz and X-ray laser research, nonlinear optics, generation of ultrashort laser pulses, laser-based acceleration of particles, quantum informatics, theoretical atomic and molecular physics. World-leading research on high-energy THz pulses and their applications has a strong tradition at the Institute. There is a close collaboration between the doctoral school and three institutes of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences: both the Institute for Solid State Physics and the Institute for Particle and Nuclear Physics of the Wigner Research Center, and the Institute for Technical Physics and Material Science, further the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI-ALPS) institute in Szeged, as well as several international scientific collaborators and local industrial partners. Students will be able to synthesize theoretical and empirical studies, conduct their own research, and present them both orally and in written form.

Popular degree type

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PhD Programmes in Physics

Physics is a natural science. It is the branch that deals with studying and understanding matter and energy. Topics found in physics studies can include mechanics, calculus, electricity, magnetism, thermodynamics and optics.

Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the western most point of Eurasia, Europe is usually divided from Asia by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting the Black and Aegean Seas.

The PhD is a doctoral degree, specifically called a "doctor of philosophy" degree. This is misleading because PhD holders are not necessarily philosophers (unless they earned their degree in philosophy!). That said, PhD recipients are able to engage in thought experiments, reason about problems, and solve problems in sophisticated ways.

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Institute for Theoretical Physics

Phd programme.

Research at the Institute for Theoretical Physics (ITP) at Utrecht University covers high-energy physics (elementary particles, quantum gravity, string theory), cosmology (early universe, cosmic microwave background, inflation, gravitational waves), quantum matter  (superconductivity, spintronics, Bose-Einstein condensation, quantum Hall effect, quantum computing), and soft matter and biophysics (colloidal self-assembly, iontronics, cell motility, stochastic population dynamics).

The institute offers students with an MSc degree the opportunity to enter a four-year’s PhD program in theoretical physics. Apart from their research project PhD students are required to take a number of courses, almost always in the context of the Dutch Research School for Theoretical Physics . They also act as teaching assistants for about ten percent of their working time (usually some form of tutoring in the MSc and BSc physics courses).

Note that PhD students in the Netherlands in most cases are employed with a salary rather than a stipend, see Obtaining a PhD Position.  Openings for PhD positions in the ITP can be found under Vacancies.

Utrecht University Heidelberglaan 8 3584 CS Utrecht The Netherlands Tel. +31 (0)30 253 35 50

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

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Discover more about postgraduate research

PhD Physics / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

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The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent) OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent).

Other combinations of qualifications and research or work experience may also be considered. Please contact the admissions team to check.

Full entry requirements

Apply online

In your application you’ll need to include:

• The name of this programme
• Your research project title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name) or area of research
• Your proposed supervisor’s name
• If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the available funding
• A supporting statement (see 'Advice to Applicants' for what to include)
• Details of your previous university level study
• Names and contact details of your two referees.

Programme options

Programme description.

The  Department of Physics and Astronomy at Manchester is one of the largest and most active physics departments in the UK. We have a long tradition of excellence in both teaching and research, and have interests in most areas of contemporary research.

The Department has a strong presence in a number of Manchester-based centres for multidisciplinary research: The National Graphene Institute, the Photon Science Institute, the Manchester Centre for Non-Linear Dynamics, and the Dalton Nuclear Institute. In addition, the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire is a part of the department.

Strong research activity exists in a broad range of physics topics funded by the Research Councils including EPSRC, STFC, BBSRC, the EU and industry. All the research groups offer well-equipped laboratories and computing facilities and are involved in a wide range of collaborative projects with industry and other academic departments in the UK and overseas. 

The postgraduate research environment is well funded and world-class as demonstrated by our ranking in REF2021.  Supervision is provided by academic staff, who are leaders in their fields, with independent pastoral back-up. Transferable skills training is available and there are some school teaching opportunities.

For more information about research themes within the department please visit our themes page or view available projects within the department on our Postgraduate Research projects page . 

To be announced.

The programme fee will vary depending on the cost of running the project. Fees quoted are fully inclusive and, therefore, you will not be required to pay any additional bench fees or administration costs.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of the course for Home students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit the postgraduate fees page .

Always contact the Admissions team if you are unsure which fees apply to your project.

Scholarships/sponsorships

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.

To be considered for many of our scholarships, you’ll need to be nominated by your proposed supervisor. Therefore, we’d highly recommend you discuss potential sources of funding with your supervisor first, so they can advise on your suitability and make sure you meet nomination deadlines.

For more information about our scholarships, visit our funding page or use our funding database to search for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

Contact details

Our internationally-renowned expertise across the School of Natural Sciences informs research led teaching with strong collaboration across disciplines, unlocking new and exciting fields and translating science into reality.  Our multidisciplinary learning and research activities advance the boundaries of science for the wider benefit of society, inspiring students to promote positive change through educating future leaders in the true fundamentals of science. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .

Programmes in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

• Physics and Astronomy

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You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

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PhD in Physics

Doctorate studies in physics.

• Degree - Dr. rer. nat
• Qualification for an in-depth scientific work
• Duration - approx. 4 years
• Language - German or English
• Beginning - at any time

Excellent international research community

• supportive and trusted working atmosphere
• cooperation with national and international research institutions
• measuring times at the synchrotron BESSY II reserved for Freie Universität
• additional qualification at the DRS possible

Requirements

• Degree as Master of Science or Diploma
• You have already found an open doctoral position in one of our research groups. 

Our research

Doctoral program at freie universität, doctoral program in physics - creating fundamentals for future innovations.

Around 130 doctoral students study and work at the Department of Physics. Every year, we award some 30 PhD degrees to physicists at Freie Universität Berlin.

If you are interested in a doctoral program, please contact the research groups of your interest directly.

PhD Program Structure

• 1 supervisor
• 1 written doctoral thesis
• 1 disputation

Doctoral students are usually employed as scientific staff in the research group (AG) where they do a doctorate. 

Doctoral Thesis

• The dissertation can be submitted as a monograph or cumulatively made up of at least four publications with the doctoral candidate as first author.
• The dissertation must be submitted in 8 printed copies and as a pdf file.

Obligatory parts of a thesis:

• Title page ( draft )
• Summary in German and English (maximum one page)
• Declaration of authorship ( draft )

Disputation

The disputation allows the doctoral student to demonstrate their presentation skills and ability to engage in scientific discussions.

• 30 minutes of presentation
• 30 to 60 minutes of professional discussion with members of the PhD commission.

The disputation is open to the public: Interested persons can participate as listeners and ask questions about the research results.

Scheduled days for disputation

Mon 16:00 - 21:00 (lecture hall A) Wed 16:00 - 21:00 (lecture hall A) Thu 9:00 - 14:00 (Lecture hall B)

Research Integrity

PhD positions and doctoral thesis

The topic of your doctoral thesis will be determined by the scientific focus of the research group in which you will take up your doctoral position. Please contact the individual research groups directly for information on open doctoral positions.

• Theoretical physics
• Experimental physics
• Physics education

• Doctoral Program Natural Sciences

New structured doctoral program offers a variety of qualification seminars and workshops. Those who successfully complete the program can choose between the titles "Ph. D." and "Dr. rer. nat."

Please note that the German version only is legally binding.

• Doctoral studies - registration form in German
• Doctoral Study Regulations - Physics (2013)
• 1st Modification Doctoral Regulations Physics (2013) - valid from 27.09.2023
• List of documents for enrollment
• Good scientific practice for scientific qualification reports and theses in physics

PhD Program Office Mr. Andreas Heß Arnimallee 14, Room 1.1.15 Tel. +49 30 838 56017

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Habilitation - Qualification for University Teaching

What is the next step after a PhD program? If you want to teach at a university, you should strive for a habilitation. Habiliation proves that a scientist can independently represent an academic field in research and teaching. For further information please contact our habilitation office.

• Habilitation Office
• doctor of physics
• doctorate degree in physics
• phd in physics education
• phd in quantum physics
• phd physics
• phd theoretical physics
• physics phd program
• postgraduate physics

Department of Physics

Doctoral studies at the department of physics.

The doctoral education gives you opportunity to deepen your subject knowledge and to learn more about the scientific methodology – define problems, use analytical and experimental methods to find results which you then evaluate. You are a part of a research group in an environment with researchers and other doctoral students who encourage and help you.

After four years of undergraduate studies (240 credits in Sweden) it is possible to start doctoral studies in order to obtain a Licentiate degree after 2-3 years and continue towards a PhD exam after totally 4-5 years.

At the Department of Physics, there are four research subjects within the postgraduate program: Physics, Theoretical Physics, Chemical Physics and Medical Radiation Physics . Within these subjects there are several research divisions, with different research activities. The activities of the research divisions are described by their  own home pages . However, the best way to learn more about the present research activities is to contact some of the group members. Do not hesitate to contact the Director of Postgraduate Studies to get more information before you apply for postgraduate studies.

Useful links for doctoral students

Eligibility, application and admission

Courses for doctoral studies

Study funding during postgraduate education

Study plan for PhD students

Half-time review or licentiate degree

PhD thesis defence

PhD Council

Handbook for Postgraduate Students from the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) .

Rules for doctoral education at the faculty of Science (in Swedish)

Rules for education and examination at doctoral level at university of Stockholm

Meet Sara, PhD student in chemical physics

Sara Boscolo Bibi is from Venice, Italy. She is in her second year of her PhD studies at the Chemical Physics division at the Department of Physics.

The aim of Sara’s project is to understand the fundamental processes behind the CO2 reduction to hydrocarbons in presence of a metal catalyst.

"I like the friendly international environment"

The Department of Physics PhD Council

The Department of Physics PhD Council (in Swedish "Fysikums doktorandråd") is the assembly of all PhD students at the Department of Physics at Stockholm University. Its purpose is to represent the interests of the PhD students in the different committees, boards and councils within the department and the university. This page is mantained by the PhD Council representative.

The Department of Physics PhD Council webpage

In order to be admitted to the postgraduate programme, the applicant must satisfy the conditions for basic eligibility and the conditions for special eligibility, and have the skills as needed to complete their education.

Once you have been admitted as a research student The PhD student Council can help you with different issues.

Financing the studies

A condition for admission, in addition to possessing the required educational qualifications, is that the student will have sufficient economic support during the whole period of study, normally 4 years full time study. In most cases you will be employed as PhD student for your period of studies.

Supervision

A supervision group consisting of two or more supervisors is appointed for each student in connection with admission at the Department of Physics.

One is appointed as the main supervisor, the others as assistant supervisors. Applications of change of roles or appointment of additional assistant supervisors should be made in writing to the subject responsible.

In each research division there is also a division responsible, who is the contact person in all issues concerning the division and its members.

Mentor system

The mentor system at fysikum.

It has been decided that every PhD student at Fysikum should have a mentor. A short description of the mentor system is given below.

Purpose of the mentor system:

• Give each PhD student an independent senior discussion partner.
• Meetings that give the opportunity to reflect over work environment, PhD studies and carrier.
• The PhD student has opportunity to discuss urgent or reoccurring problems with a person that follows the development.

Procedure around the meeting between the mentor and the PhD student:

• Meetings at least once each semester.
• The meetings are confidential.

Responsibility of the PhD student:

• Choose a mentor, a senior researcher, preferably from a different research division. A person you trust and can confide in.
• A mentor has to be selected within 2 months of starting the PhD studies, and the director of postgraduate education should be informed.
• It can be natural to change mentor during the postgraduate education, without having to feel that the mentor is insulted.
• Invite to and prepare for the meeting with the mentor.

Responsibility of the mentor:

• Agree  with the PhD student on suitable forms for the meeting.
• The mentor will not contribute scientifically.
• The mentor must independent from both supervisors and PhD student, and only in exception from the same research division or research environment.
• The mentor should have a PhD degree and several years of working experience from universities or companies.
• The mentor should show an interest in the development of the PhD student and engage discussions of questions or problems.
• If there a problems in the work environment, the PhD student should be recommended to contact the work environment representatives or ombud for equal rights.
• The mentor can also ask for permission to discuss certain matters with the head of the department, work environment representative och the director of postgraduate education.

Responsibility of the director of postgraduate education:

• To perform a yearly anonymous survey asking mentors for us information about their general impressions of the situation for the PhD students, and of reoccurring or serious problems.
• Assist those new students who find it difficult to identify a mentor with finding a suitable first mentor.
• Report these impression to KUF and at the yearly meeting for supervisors.

The individual study plan

The framework for doctoral education is given by the general syllabus for the subject. The education at this level is highly specific to the research programme conducted by the doctoral student. Therefore, each doctoral student must have an individual study plan (ISP). In connection with the annual revision of the study plan, the doctoral student has a development review .

Read more about Study plan for PhD students

The course requirement for a PhD is 60 ECTS credits. Courses on this level can look different. They can be "normal" courses at the advanced level or courses created by teachers in the Department of Physics research divisions which are tailored for PhD education. Periods of self-study with science texts or active participation in a summer school may also constitute a course. All planned courses should appear in your Individual study plan(ISP). Your supervisor decides on the value of a course, in terms of credits.

Courses for PhD students

All PhD students are expected to take an active part in seminars arranged by their own research group as well as those arranged within AlbaNova. Students should also give their own seminars.

Seminar on ethical questions

All PhD students must attend a seminar on ethical questions in science. The seminar is arranged by the mathematical-physics section of the science faculty once per semester. Invitations are emailed.

Licenciate thesis and Doctoral thesis

The Licentiate thesis should be based on research corresponding to at least 60 credits (out of 120 credits required for the degree). The PhD thesis corresponds to at least 180 credits (out of 240 credits required for the degree). The licentiate as well as the PhD thesis can be written as a monograph or it can comprise a collection of separate articles. In the latter case the thesis consists of a summary and referenced articles published in scientific magazines. The Science Faculty has issued a document with rules and recommendations regarding the content and organization of the PhD thesis, found here (in Swedish only so far). More information on rules for dissertations can be found in the  Handbook for Postgraduate Students from the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) .

Read more about the Licenciate degree Read more about the PhD dissertation

Please contact the Director of Postgraduate Studies if you for exampel have questions regarding the development of programmes and courses or the assignment of teachers to the various courses or other general questions related to postgradate studies at the Department of Pysics.

Last updated: October 24, 2023

Source: Department of Physics

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"The experience is super valuable"

Fysikum has agreements with several universities, mainly within Europe. In addition, Stockholm University also has central agreements with universities around the world.

Postgraduate education is the highest form of education you can study at a university. As a research student, you are trained in problem solving, critical thinking, and using the scientific method

Last updated: January 19, 2024

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PhD in Theoretical Physics

A PhD is the highest academic qualification in the Netherlands. It generally involves four years of original research on a specific topic. Students who have a Master's degree can apply for a position, and are selected on the quality of their (educational) background.

The programme

A regular PhD programme takes 4 years of independent research, supervised by a professor. The programme is concluded by a thesis (dissertation) and/or a series of articles in scientific journals. As PhD student you get the opportunity to contribute to the development of deep knowledge in your subject. 

There are several ways to obtain a PhD. Most PhD candidates in the Netherlands are not students but employees of the university. The primary criterion for admission to a PhD programme is the quality of the candidate. 

Candidates can obtain a PhD:

• As an employee of the UvA. Job vacancies at the Institute of Physics can be found on this page .
• On a scholarship, for example from a foreign government, an international organisation or a Dutch fund.

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International Programmes 2023/2024

Physics (PhD) Physics (PhD)

University of göttingen • göttingen.

• Course details
• Costs / Funding
• Requirements / Registration

Participants can choose to write their PhD theses in either German or English.

The PhD programme in Physics is part of the Georg-August University School of Science (GAUSS), which offers a structured doctoral education and promotes excellent research in mathematics and natural sciences ( http://www.gauss.uni-goettingen.de ). The Faculty of Physics offers you a wide range of physical sub-fields such as the following:

• astrophysics
• materials physics
• dynamics of complex systems
• particle physics
• semi-conductor physics
• theoretical physics
• X-ray physics

For further information, please visit our website: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/488933.html .

As a doctoral student in physics, you will be affiliated with one of the research groups of the programme. Each PhD project will be supervised by a three-member thesis committee that will advise on research questions and study content. To broaden and deepen your knowledge of physics in your speciality area as well as in other areas, you will participate in advanced lecture courses. In addition to your research activities, you will gain teaching experience.

For further information, please visit our website: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/requirements-during-the-doctorate/501108.html .

• International guest lecturers
• Integrated study abroad unit(s)
• Language training provided
• Training in intercultural skills
• Study trips
• Projects with partners in Germany and abroad

We have many options to participate in a research visit abroad. Nevertheless, this is not mandatory.

Teaching is welcome (as well as mandatory) and is credited.

Fees are around 400 EUR per semester. The fees include a prepaid semester ticket that entitles students to use regional trains (in Lower Saxony and Bremen) and city buses in Göttingen free of charge. Students of the University of Göttingen receive discounts for cultural events. Meals and drinks are also available at reduced prices at all university canteens. Fees: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/fee Semester ticket: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/16432.html

The average cost of living in Göttingen is modest compared to other major university cities in Germany. Currently, expenses for accommodation, food, health insurance and books are about 850 EUR per month. Please note that fees for health insurance may vary according to age. For further information, please see the following link: www.uni-goettingen.de/en/54664.html .

1. Academic admission requirements include an excellent Master's degree in physics, mathematics, or other natural sciences. If the degree was not awarded in Germany, eligibility will be assessed according to the guidelines of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the federal states in the Federal Republic of Germany (documented at http://www.anabin.de ). For the assessment of eligibility, the respective certificate should be submitted to the Dean's office of the Faculty of Physics. 2. Acceptance by an authorised supervisor For further information, please visit our website: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/how-to-become-a-phd-student/501047.html .

• English or German native speakers: none
• other applicants without a previous degree taught in English: proof of proficiency in English (at a level equivalent to PBT TOEFL 550)

For further information, please visit our website: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/phd-physics/488933.html .

Application steps:

• Decide on a research topic and contact potential supervisor
• Assemble a thesis advisory committee (TAC)
• Apply for admission (programme, supervision agreement)

https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/577087.html

The university supports students in finding part-time jobs in local industries and businesses. A number of student jobs are also available at the university. They are announced on the following website: www.stellenwerk-goettingen.de

Please note that restrictions may apply with your scholarship or visa. Non-EU students are subject to special regulations.

Foreign applicants should note that it is not easy to find a job to finance their studies, as German students are also searching for jobs. Some proficiency in German may be indispensable to your job search. Non-EU students are permitted to work a maximum of 120 full days (240 half days) per year.

The Accommodation Service of the International Office supports international students who are enrolled at the University of Göttingen in finding accommodation and serves as a point of contact for related queries. The Accommodation Service also publishes suitable offers from private landlords in Göttingen and collaborates with the Student Services ("Studentenwerk"). As the number of available accommodation options in Göttingen is limited, it is highly recommended to contact the Accommodation Service as early as possible. https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/617883.html

Please note: For doctoral students, accommodation services are only available if you have a low income.

The Career Service of the University of Göttingen offers individual support to facilitate your successful transition from the academic to the professional world — whether you want to work in Germany or abroad. Especially for international students aiming for a career entry in Germany, the Career Service provides topic-specific "Career Impulse Sessions", workshops, online learning modules, and a qualification programme in “Building International Careers” as well as digital career tools and a virtual community for international employment opportunities: www.uni-goettingen.de/en/292.html .

Office of the Dean of Studies

Career-related talks with physicists

• Specialist counselling
• Pick-up service

The International Office provides a complimentary pick-up service ("Buddy Exchange Service") from the Göttingen railway station to the accommodation. German students help newly arrived students to adapt to the university and the city during their first weeks. http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/49307.html

There is also an orientation week for new international students, which provides valuable information about Göttingen and the university. http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/196392.html

Study Buddy programme ( https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/112395.html ) as a part of the Integration and Diversity project at Göttingen University (InDiGU) https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/108275.html

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Support PSL

The Graduate Program in Physics offers a comprehensive curriculum of advanced study and research, from the Master's to the Doctorate degree, in fundamental physics and its applications. Through its association with ten laboratories and three LabEx laboratories at PSL, the graduate program offers a Master’s degree in which research plays a central role. Students may also choose elective courses designed to improve their transdisciplinary skills and broaden their curriculum.

Key figures

Theoretical physics and its applications

Quantum physics

Wave physics

Soft matter

Nonlinear physics and Hydrodynamics

A five-year track from Master’s to PhD

Upon entering the Master’s degree program, each student will define their scientific project with the graduate program's faculty and researchers. Students will have an academic advisor and will be heavily involved in research throughout the program.

Choose your Master’s degree and define your academic path

The graduate program offers the following Master’s degrees:

Enhance and customize your academic path: elective courses

Complementary university-wide courses.

Graduate program students at both the Master’s and PhD level have access to university-wide trainings in core competencies, both introductory and advanced, designed to supplement their academic study. Those complementary university-wide courses, available in all of PSL’s component schools, are eligible for ECTS credit.

Data science program

Career opportunities.

Trained in and through research, PSL alumni find numerous employment opportunities in the public, private and entrepreneurial sectors as well as in the academic world.

Pursue a PhD

Doctoral research is conducted in a PSL laboratory. Training is conducted in a doctoral school.

Graduate program doctoral schools

• École doctorale Physique en Ile-de-France - ED 564

Graduate program laboratories

Head of the Graduate program:

• Jean-François Allemand (ENS - PSL)
• Luca de'Medici (ESPCI-PSL)

[email protected]

PhD Program Physics

funding, physics, astronomy, astrophysics, particles

Objectives:

The program involves all the PhDs related to the Physics Graduate School. It covers all fields of physics, from fundamental to applied, from theory, modeling and simulation to instrumentation, from laboratory experiments to large instruments placed on large research infrastructures or in space, from the disciplinary core to interfaces. 

It also integrates numerous socio-economic issues at the interface with physics (energy, health, environment, etc.). 

Prerequisite :

The student must hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) and have the agreement of the thesis director.

Eligibility :

More information about my eligibility here :  https://www.universite-paris-saclay.fr/en/phd-program-physics-graduate-school-physics

For this program, each doctoral school has set a different deadline: 

How to apply to ED PHENIICS  , ED AAIF and ED EDOM  :  https://www.universite-paris-saclay.fr/en/phd-program-physics-graduate-…

How to apply to ED PIF :  https://www.edpif.org/fr/recrutement/candid.php

Find the proposed thesis topics here :  https://www.adum.fr/psaclay/ptenpb?etab=302

Organisation

Attachments.

The responsibility for the funding offers published on this website, including the funding description, lies entirely with the publishing institutions. The application is handled uniquely by the employer, who is also fully responsible for the recruitment and selection processes.

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Found 161 PhD jobs

Principal investigator in modeling of plant stress responses.

• Umeå (Kommun), Västerbotten (SE)
• Competitive
• Umeå Plant Science Centre and Integrated Science Lab

Join our multidisciplinary and stimulative research environment as Associate Professor in Modeling of Plant Stress Responses

View details Principal Investigator in Modeling of Plant Stress Responses

• 31 days ago
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Group Leader at Católica Biomedical Research Centre and Assistant or Associate Professor at Católica

• Portugal (PT)
• Commensurate with experience and merit and adhering to institutional norms/national legislation
• Católica Biomedical Research Centre

Group Leader + Assistant/Associate Professor, tenure-track position in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Data Science, Engineering, related fields.

View details Group Leader at Católica Biomedical Research Centre and Assistant or Associate Professor at Católica

• 15 days ago
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Expression of Interest – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (MSCA-PF)

• France (FR)
• not relevant
• Plateforme projets européens (2PE) -Bretagne

Academic institutions in Brittany are looking for excellent postdoctoral researchers willing to apply for a Marie S. Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship.

View details Expression of Interest – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (MSCA-PF)

• 25 days ago
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Mildred Dresselhaus Guest Professorship: call for nominations and applications

• Hamburg (DE)
• 10.000€ - 20.000€
• Universität Hamburg

  Mildred Dresselhaus Guest Professorship: call for nominations and applications Acknowledging Mildred Dresselhaus’ achievements in science and equ...

View details Mildred Dresselhaus Guest Professorship: call for nominations and applications

• 42 days ago
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Postdoc in development of atomic-layer deposited selective edge passivation of high-efficiency si...

• Aarhus, Midtjylland (DK)
• Aarhus University (AU)

Are you interested in atomic layer deposition, solar cells, physics, and microfabrication, and want to be part of developing the next generation hi...

View details Postdoc in development of atomic-layer deposited selective edge passivation of high-efficiency si...

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Konstruktionsmechaniker*in oder Industriemechaniker*in (d/m/w)

• Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Area of research:Technik Starting date:24.04.2024 Job description:Das GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt betreibt eine der fü

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Oberflächenbeschichter*in (d/m/w)

View details Oberflächenbeschichter*in (d/m/w)

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Master thesis - Frequency-Domain Characterization of Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Solar Cells

Work group:IEK-5 - Photovoltaik Area of research:Diploma & Master Thesis Job description:Your Job: Applying frequency domain techniques such as imped

View details Master thesis - Frequency-Domain Characterization of Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Solar Cells

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Postdoctoral Scientist (m/f/div) – Supported by the Ferenc Krausz Fellowship

• Garching bei München, Bayern (DE)
• Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPI MPQ)

Title: Ultrafast Field-Resolved Infrared Spectroscopy with Enhanced Detection

View details Postdoctoral Scientist (m/f/div) – Supported by the Ferenc Krausz Fellowship

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Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Coarse-Gained Modelling of Kinetochore-Microtubule Interaction

• Dundee City (GB)
• £36,024 - £40,527 (Grade 7, spines 29-33)
• UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE

The School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee is a world-class academic institution with a reputation for the excellence of its research,...

View details Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Coarse-Gained Modelling of Kinetochore-Microtubule Interaction

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University Professorship (W3) Thermal Turbomachinery

Area of research:Other Starting date:23.04.2024 Job description:The holder of the post will represent the area of thermal turbomachinery in research,

View details University Professorship (W3) Thermal Turbomachinery

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Office Manager (f/m/d)

Area of research:Administrative staff Starting date:23.04.2024 Job description:As a growing and internationally renowned research institute, we are e

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Postdoc in AI with HPC - Advancing Earth Observation through Foundation Models

Work group:JSC - Jülich Supercomputing Centre Area of research:Scientific / postdoctoral posts Job description:Your Job:You will join the Simulation

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Two postdoc positions in materials crystallography at Aarhus University

The candidates must have a PhD in chemistry, crystallography, physics, materials science or similar.

View details Two postdoc positions in materials crystallography at Aarhus University

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PostDoc (f_m_x) - Reactive transport simulation of radionuclide migration in argillaceous formations

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Scientist (f/m/x) - Phenology-based pollen forecasts using AI

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IMT 14-2024 Master Thesis: Numerical modelling of high-efficient regenerative elastocaloric cooli...

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Postdoc (f/m/d) High-Throughput Discovery and Characterization of Photovoltaic Materials

Work group:Structure and Dynamics of Energy Materials Area of research:Scientific / postdoctoral posts Job description:Reference No. SE 2024/12The De

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Postdoctoral Research Scientist (f/m/d) for the investigation of quantum magnets by experimental ...

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Postdoctoral Scientist (f/m/d) in the field of Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Materi...

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Best Universities for Medical Physics in Europe

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in Europe ranked based on their research performance in Medical Physics. A graph of 2.68M citations received by 101K academic papers made by 369 universities in Europe was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University College London

For Medical Physics

2. Heidelberg University - Germany

3. Imperial College London

4. University of Oxford

5. Radboud University

6. Medical University of Vienna

7. University of Amsterdam

8. King's College London

9. Catholic University of Leuven

10. Lund University

11. University of Erlangen Nuremberg

12. Charite - Medical University of Berlin

13. Karolinska Institute

14. Sapienza University of Rome

15. University of Munich

16. University of Bern

17. University of Manchester

18. University of Cambridge

19. Technical University of Munich

20. University of Milan

21. University of Liverpool

22. University of Zurich

23. Utrecht University

24. University of Leeds

25. University of Copenhagen

26. University of Sheffield

27. University of Groningen

28. Pierre and Marie Curie University

29. University of Tubingen

30. Maastricht University

31. University of Pisa

32. University of Birmingham

33. University of Bristol

34. Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

35. Erasmus University Rotterdam

36. University of Padua

37. Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

38. University of Lausanne

39. RWTH Aachen University

40. Ghent University

41. Hannover Medical School

42. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

43. University of Edinburgh

44. University of Nottingham

45. Federico II University of Naples

46. University of Liege

47. Uppsala University

48. Queen Mary University of London

49. Cardiff University

50. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

51. University of Glasgow

52. Catholic University of Louvain

53. University of Bologna

54. University of Hamburg

55. University of Aberdeen

56. University of Turin

57. Delft University of Technology

58. University of Oslo

59. University of Dundee

60. University of Munster

61. Vita-Salute San Raffaele University

62. Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main

63. University of Lubeck

64. University of York

65. University of Cologne

66. University of Vienna

67. University of Wurzburg

68. Heinrich Heine University of Dusseldorf

69. Newcastle University

70. Medical University of Innsbruck

71. Complutense University of Madrid

72. St George's, University of London

73. University of London

74. University of Gothenburg

75. Ulster University

76. Medical University of Graz

77. University of Florence

78. Free University Amsterdam

79. University of Verona

80. University of Bonn

81. Autonomous University of Barcelona

82. University of Ulm

83. Aarhus University

84. University of Southampton

85. Dresden University of Technology

86. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich

87. University of Leicester

88. Leiden University

89. University of Pavia

90. Paris Descartes University

91. University College Dublin

92. University of Genoa

93. Queen's University Belfast

94. Umea University

95. Stockholm University

96. University of Leipzig

97. University of Basel

98. University of Geneva

99. University of Freiburg

100. University of Barcelona

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Electrochemists Wanted for Vocational Degrees

This article is part of a series of pieces on advances in sustainable battery technologies that Physics Magazine is publishing to celebrate Earth Week 2024. See also: Research News: Lithium-Ion “Traffic Jam” Behind Reduced Battery Performance ; Q&A: The Path to Making Batteries Green ; News Feature: Sodium as a Green Substitute for Lithium in Batteries .

Electric cars are growing in popularity, a trend that is increasing interest in so-called green batteries—fully recyclable batteries that have been designed and manufactured using sustainable materials and sustainable processes. Start-ups and established companies are betting big on green-battery technologies, which, because of their specialized nature, require a skilled workforce trained in electrochemistry and materials science. Often, people seeking a career in electrochemistry must complete a five-year PhD, says Paul Kempler, an electrochemist at the University of Oregon. Kempler is the director of a master’s program that gets students up to speed in as little as 15 months, while also giving them on-the-job vocational training. Physics Magazine spoke to Kempler about the program and about why he thinks this kind of training route is the way forward for myriad technology-relevant areas of science, including quantum physics and green-energy-related disciplines.

All interviews are edited for brevity and clarity.

Vocational training courses are rarely offered by physics or chemistry departments at traditional universities. Why do you think offering that kind of instruction is important?

If scientists genuinely want to train a workforce, then we need to go beyond teaching science for the sake of teaching science. The skills and knowledge a person needs to go and work in a battery start-up, for example, aren’t necessarily the same as those they need to be an academic. Of course, it’s still essential that universities offer degrees in fundamental physics and chemistry. But I think we are doing a disservice to students if we don’t also prepare them for life after university. And I’m not sure that we are doing the best we can on that front right now—we train PhD students as if they will all be academics even though we know that most of them will end up following other career paths.

Do you have an example of how a learning path is different in your course compared to a more traditional course?

Our training is tailored specifically to the interests of the student. For example, when we have a student who wants to work with fuel cells, we start by teaching them how to measure the activity of a thin film of catalyst particles. Next, we teach them how to build a fuel cell from scratch, one small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Then we help the student get a job in a company that develops fuel-cell stacks. The science behind how the fuel cell works is just one component of the training, whereas it might be the only focus of a more traditional course.

Vocational training is all about connecting the dots. The green-battery industry is not only hiring people to sit and think about electrochemistry, it also wants people who can assemble and operate battery packs of all sizes and who understand all the bits and pieces that go into making a cell work. Those people need to be able to fix cells when they break or optimize them to improve performance.

What does the electrochemistry course at the University of Oregon involve?

It’s an intense course. The students take classes for six to nine months, and during that period they don’t have time for anything else. Then they take six-month internships, which are fully paid. The students finish the course debt free and with a complete and realistic picture of what a job in industry entails and what a PhD and career in academia might look like. About 10% of the students so far have transitioned to a PhD after their master’s degrees—and that’s great. But either way, we are very honest and upfront with the students about their career options when they start on the course.

Many institutions advertise science-based master’s programs. How is this one different?

When putting together a graduate-level program in a topic, universities tend to pick out a few relevant courses from the list that they offer to PhD students who need to get a grounding in some aspect of that topic. We took the opposite route. Shannon Boettcher, the founder of the program, sat down with a blank piece of paper and put together a syllabus that would teach someone everything they would need to know for an industry-based career in electrochemistry. We also have industrial partners who we regularly check in with to find out what they want a job candidate to know, and then we update the content of the classes accordingly.

Technology in this area is constantly and quickly evolving. We need to stay nimble—an adjective rarely associated with academia—if we want to give our students the best possible start.

So, is the electrochemistry PhD dead?

No. Vocational courses such as the electrochemistry one at Oregon won’t replace PhDs—the two paths are complementary. Industry-focused learning pathways exist in other countries but are largely absent in the US, and undergraduate courses often miss the specific technical knowledge someone might need to transition to an industry job. In many fields, there is a huge need for scientists with specialized knowledge and training who, when they start a job, can hit the ground running. Battery technology is one of those fields. And the need is only going to get bigger as the world transitions from fossil fuels to renewable energies.

–Katherine Wright

Katherine Wright is the Deputy Editor of Physics Magazine .

Subject Areas

Recent articles.

Sodium as a Green Substitute for Lithium in Batteries

Interest in developing batteries based on sodium has recently spiked because of concerns over the sustainability of lithium, which is found in most laptop and electric vehicle batteries. Read More »

Lithium-Ion “Traffic Jam” Behind Reduced Battery Performance

Real-time in situ x-ray observations of new nickel-rich lithium-ion batteries reveal that reduced performance comes from lithium ions getting trapped in the cathode. Read More »

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By combining the world’s oldest photovoltaic material with today’s most used one, researchers have taken a step toward next-generation solar devices. Read More »

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Physics doctoral student earns award for space weather research

Tuesday, Apr 23, 2024 • Greg Pederson :

A doctoral student in physics at The University of Texas at Arlington received a top award at an international conference for his research about the effects of a solar eclipse on space weather.

Yu Hong earned an Outstanding Student Presentation Awards at the American Geophysics Union (AGU) 2023 Meeting in San Francisco in December. More than 25,000 participated in the competition, with only two percent of students receiving the OSPA distinction.

“I was surprised and excited to win, since this was my first time participating the AGU OSPA competition,” Hong said. “I've seen a lot of outstanding posters in the gallery and I knew it would be very competitive.”

Hong’s project was titled “Inter-Hemispheric Asymmetry (IHA) in the Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Thermosphere System Due to the December 04, 2021 Solar Eclipse: MHD-GCM Coupled Simulations”. Its focus was on exploring the different responses of the northern and southern hemispheres — known as “inter-hemispheric asymmetry” — during the solar eclipse which occurred in Antarctica on December 4, 2021.

Hong’s co-authors include his faculty supervisor, Yue Deng, UTA professor of physics, as well as collaborators from the University of Michigan, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, the University of Colorado Boulder, and the University of Newcastle in Australia.

“We aim to better integrate the modeling between the ionosphere and the magnetosphere, bridging two fields that have traditionally operated independently,” Hong said. “Using realistic ionospheric conductance will help us to understand the eclipse effect from Earth’s upper atmosphere to the magnetosphere.”

As stated in the project abstract, solar eclipses provide scientists with unique opportunities to investigate the geospace environment. Geospace is the region of space near Earth and includes the upper atmosphere, ionosphere and magnetosphere. The impact on Earth’s ionosphere-thermosphere (IT) system due to rapidly changing solar radiation is well understood, but the effects of eclipses on magnetosphere-ionosphere (MI) coupling dynamics by altering the conductivity has not been fully studied.

Through their research, Hong and his co-authors sought to help quantify the significance of inter-hemispheric asymmetries in the global IT system and their effects on the MI system to provide new insights into the magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere coupling process under extraordinary solar conditions.

During the April 8 total solar eclipse which was visible in the D-FW Metroplex, Hong was on the UTA campus working with students visiting from the University of Michigan. They used numerical models to predict the solar corona, which is the outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere and normally cannot be seen by the naked eye. The corona is visible during the short period of totality during a solar eclipse. The students used modeling tools from UM’s Space Weather Modeling Framework to study the whole Sun-to-Earth system.

The AGU award isn’t the first time Hong’s research has been honored. In 2022 he won first place in the poster competition at the international 2022 CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions) Workshop. That same summer he was chosen for the highly selective Graduate Visitor Program at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Using radar and satellite data as well as the global ionosphere-thermosphere model (GITM) and the NCAR 3D-electrodynamo model, he studied low-latitude electrodynamics and the hemispherically asymmetric storm-time responses in the upper atmosphere. In addition, he was one of the 2020 recipients of the Outstanding Graduate Presentation Award from the Texas Section of the American Physical Society (APS).

The UTA College of Science, a Carnegie R1 research institution, is preparing the next generation of leaders in science through innovative education and hands-on research and offers programs in Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Data Science, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Health Professions, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology. To support educational and research efforts visit the  giving page , or if you're a prospective student interested in beginning your #MaverickScience journey visit our  future students page .

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New EU legislation has iSchool connection

Thanks to new European Union (EU) legislation, those who perform on-demand work through an app or website, such as DoorDash or Uber, will enjoy better working conditions. PhD student Zachary Kilhoffer, who spent four years working as a researcher for the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) in Brussels prior to entering the iSchool's doctoral program, authored or co-authored several policy research pieces that informed the creation of the EU Platform Work Directive .

According to Kilhoffer, the legislation came about because the EU wanted to ensure that U.S. and international gig work (often called "platform work" in the EU) companies follow the EU's higher labor standards.

"Gig workers get the short end of the stick in many ways—inconsistent pay, shouldering risks rather than an employer, incentives to deliver too fast and risk injury, etc.," he said. "Fixing this could be done many ways, but one really good way is recognizing many gig workers as employees, so they receive proper benefits, such as insurance, paid injury leave, and minimum wage."

The new legislation also involves the transparency and fairness of algorithms/AI processes used by gig work companies. Algorithms are used by companies to determine how much a worker earns for a task, which tasks will or won't be offered to the worker, automated fraud detection (that often works poorly), and more. The law ensures that automated systems are monitored by qualified staff and that workers have the right to contest automated decisions. In addition, gig workers will be presumed to be employees until proven otherwise, reversing the burden of proof so that they can benefit from any labor rights to which they are entitled.

One of the papers that Kilhoffer authored, " Study to gather evidence on the working conditions of platform workers ," was not only influential in the bill's creation, but is among his most cited works. Kilhoffer led the study, which he described as a "huge, complex research project." It involved all (at the time) 28 EU member states plus Iceland and Norway, and mapped socioeconomic issues, legal issues, and workers' experiences.  

Kilhoffer holds an MA in international relations from Webster University Vienna and a BA in international relations from McKendree University. He is interested in how new and emerging technologies are regulated to ensure privacy and security, transparency and accountability, and fairness and ethics. He focuses on AI governance—especially concerning risk, compliance, and standardization.

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Congratulations, Linnea Kremer! PhD Spring 2024

April 24, 2024

Congratulations to Linnea Kremer (Armato Lab) who successfully defended his thesis on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Her thesis is titled: " MRI Radiomics for Imaging Genomics, Risk Classification, and Prediction of Disease Progression in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease ".

Linnea joined the GPMP at the University of Chicago in the fall of 2019 after completing her master’s in Bioengineering and playing competitive soccer at the University of Nottingham in the U.K. Her master’s research was on quantitative, multi-parametric MRI analysis of the effect of dialysis on the major organs at the Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre (SPMIC).

She joined Dr. Sam Armato’s lab to research polycystic kidney disease, specifically autosomal dominant kidney disease, using quantitative MRI for diagnosis, prognosis, and disease progression. Kremer also has a B.S. in physics with minors in math and Christian studies from Roanoke College.

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Onrí Jay Benally receives 2024 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

Doctoral student Onrí Jay Benally is a 2024 recipient of the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Benally is currently pursuing his doctoral research under the guidance of Distinguished McKnight Professor and Robert F. Hartmann chair Jian-Ping Wang exploring the world of quantum computing and spintronic devices. 

A Navaho (Diné) tribesman and carpenter, Benally comes to us from the mountains of Red Valley and Oak Springs, Arizona. After graduating from tribal high school, he found himself building off-road electric vehicles at a Utah State University lab led by Professors Curtiz Frazier and Jared Barrett. Two years later, in 2017, he transferred to the University of Minnesota and accepted a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) through the NSF-funded Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at the University. During this time, he worked with Professor Vlad Pribiag (School of Physics and Astronomy) building nanoelectronic devices in the cleanroom for Majorana fermion research. The REU was Benally’s first brush with quantum technology exploration. He returned to the MRSEC REU in summer 2018 and this time he worked with Wang on micro and nanoscale magnetic tunnel junctions for classical computer memory and logic applications. He earned his bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies from the University in 2021. 

While Benally was working on his undergraduate degree, he earned an IBM certificate in quantum computation using Qiskit, and began hypothesizing how metallic-based spintronics and new architectures could be used to support the expansion of quantum supercomputing worldwide. The initial hypothesis motivated him to enter ECE’s doctoral program in fall 2022. 

Reflecting on his interest in quantum technology and his skills as a carpenter, Benally says, "Carpentry was my livelihood on the tribe before completing my undergraduate degree. It is a big part of who I am and has indirectly led to my success as a nanofabricator of spintronics and quantum chips." Benally shares that one of his first toys as a kid was a toy hammer. 

Benally’s research interests revolve around the engineering of quantum computing hardware and spintronic devices. An interdisciplinary area, his research involves the nanofabrication of ultrafast nanoscale magnetic tunnel junctions, cryogenic magnetic random-access memory (cryo-MRAM), and hybrid spintronic quantum processing units (QPUs), systems that can form scalable, sustainable quantum hardware architectures. Under the guidance of Wang, Benally designs and fabricates these systems at the Minnesota Nano Center at the University. Benally addressed these new developments in his keynote speech at the Arizona State University-led Quantum Collaborative Summit this past fall in San Antonio, Texas. Over the upcoming summer, Benally will be a graduate intern with IBM Research in Yorktown Heights, New York. As a quantum hardware engineer, he will be working on cutting edge cryogenic electronics for large-scale superconducting quantum computers.

Benally has accepted the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and feels honored to start delivering on his proposed ideas on supporting quantum supercomputing through spintronics and new architectures. 

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program helps “ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States.” Learn about the program and eligibility requirements.

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• Burhaneddin Yaman recognized with best dissertation award
• Renata Saha's team wins third place at MMM 2022 Magnetic Sensor Challenge
• Alumnus Thomas Coughlin is 2023 IEEE President-Elect
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Engineering student studying flight physics of birds

Sameer pokhrel is working towards advancement in unmanned aerial vehicles.

After earning a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in Nepal, Sameer Pokhrel came to the United States to further his education. From an early age, he had a lifelong fascination with aviation. As an adult, he transformed this fascination into a career, pursuing a doctoral degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati's historic program. Here, he has succeeded in research, instruction, and was named Graduate Student Engineer of the Month by the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Why did you choose UC? What drew you here?

Sameer Pokhrel is a doctoral candidate in aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati. Photo/provided

I chose the University of Cincinnati primarily because of its strong reputation in aerospace engineering and research.

From an early age, I was fascinated by airplanes and rockets. UC's esteemed reputation in the field of aerospace engineering made me feel like it was the perfect place for my graduate studies. Even though I didn't have the opportunity to visit campus before applying, hearing positive feedback about the university's facilities, resources, and faculty helped my decision.

UC offers the ideal environment for me to grow academically and is preparing me to thrive in my field. I'm glad I chose to be a Bearcat!

Why did you choose your field of study?

When I was young, I would often go plane spotting whenever possible. I remember I used to get very excited when I saw space exploration documentaries on TV.

Later, I realized I could turn this fascination into a career, so I chose mechanical engineering for my undergraduate degree. As aerospace engineering was not directly available at the time in Nepal, I chose it as my minor.

After completing my undergraduate studies, I worked as a design engineer on a fixed wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for medical delivery in the hilly region of Nepal. There, I realized my interest in dynamics and control, which led me to pursue a graduate degree in aerospace engineering, focusing on dynamics and control. 

Describe your research work. Why does it inspire you?

In my research, I focus on studying the application of unconventional control techniques in bio-inspired systems of UAVs. My work can be divided into two main parts: theoretical developments and applications. On the theoretical front, I work nonlinear control techniques, particularly Extremum Seeking Control, which is a model-free, adaptive control technique. I aim to develop tools to better analyze and improve the structures of such control systems for real-life applications. On the application front, I explore the flight physics of soaring birds, which fly long distances without flapping their wings. I investigate whether we can mimic the optimized flight of these birds in UAVs by examining the relationship between extremum seeking control and their flight patterns. 

What inspires me most about this research is the opportunity to push the boundaries of current literature and bridge the gap between theory and practice.

I'm driven by the prospect of developing novel control techniques that are versatile and less dependent on specific models. Furthermore, if we can replicate the dynamic soaring flight maneuver of birds, it could lead to substantial technological advancements in UAVs. Imagine the possibility of flying UAVs for hundreds of kilometers like soaring birds.

This perspective is truly miraculous and motivates me to continue exploring and innovating in this field. 

What are a few accomplishments of which you are most proud?

Academically, I'm proud to have published my research work in prestigious journals such as the SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics, the International Journal of Control, Automation and Systems, and Bioinspiration and Biomimetics.

I believe these publications have not only validated my research efforts but have also contributed to the academic community. Moreover, presenting my research at conferences like the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics SciTech, the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) Conference of Control and its Applications, and the SIAM Conference on Life Science was immensely beneficial. 

These experiences allowed me to share my work with peers and experts while simultaneously providing me with valuable learning and networking opportunities.

Additionally, participating in events like the Graduate Student Mathematical Modeling Camp and the Mathematical Problems in Industry Workshop 2023 helped me experience practical industry problems. The time I spent with bright minds during the brainstorming sessions is something I will never forget.

Also, I'd like to give a huge shoutout to the UC Piloting Club for providing me with a real flying experience by putting me in the co-pilot seat of a real airplane. All of these experiences have been instrumental and impactful in shaping my academic and personal journey during my time at the university. 

When do you expect to graduate? Do you have any other activities you'd like to share?

I expect to graduate in the summer of 2024 and hope to get experience in industry before returning to academia. I also love to travel and experience new things. Traveling provides the necessary break between projects and reenergizes me for my upcoming work. I also love watching and playing sports, especially soccer, which I play on a regular basis. 

Want to learn more?

Explore graduate programs at the College of Engineering and Applied Science. 

Featured image at top: UAV flying. Photo/pixabay

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Engineering students showcase capstone projects at ceas expo.

May 6, 2022

Graduating engineering undergraduates from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Engineering and Applied Science gathered for the inaugural CEAS Expo in April to showcase their senior capstone projects to more than 500 attendees, including faculty, staff, alumni and industry representatives. The event, organized by the college and CEAS Tribunal student government, was held in downtown Cincinnati at the Duke Energy Convention Center.

Engineering students present senior capstone projects digitally

April 24, 2020

Engineering students present at third annual Expo

April 24, 2024

This spring, senior students at the University of Cincinnati's College of Engineering and Applied Science came together to present their final capstone projects at the third annual CEAS Expo. College faculty, staff, alumni and industry professionals attended the event to witness the innovation that is created at CEAS.

Australia's Katherine Bennell-Pegg graduates from European Space Agency astronaut program

It's been a journey of countless small steps, along with a few giant leaps into the unknown, but Katherine Bennell-Pegg is hoping her future as a space traveller is finally on the launch pad as she graduates as a fully qualified astronaut.

"It's still so surreal that this is happening," said the 39-year-old Adelaide resident, who grew up on Sydney's northern beaches.

"When I dreamed of becoming an astronaut, as a child growing up in Sydney, I never thought it possible to do so representing Australia."

For the past 12 months she's been training to become an astronaut at the European Astronaut Centre in Germany.

The mother-of-two was initially among 22,500 other applicants for the training program with the European Space Agency.

Ms Bennell-Pegg is one of six to graduate.

"It's been such an intense year and … I'm yet to take a breath and step back and realise that, 'Today I become an Australian astronaut and I'm spaceflight ready'," she said.

"It's really 'pinch me' stuff.

"I'm filled with gratitude, because this isn't my accomplishment alone. Throughout my life, throughout this year, I've been very well supported by my family, by my schools, by my colleagues. It's just incredible."

While her graduation from the astronaut training program is not in itself a guarantee of being selected for a future space mission, Ms Bennell-Pegg joins a select group of "space-ready" individuals eligible for consideration.

"There's no flight guaranteed for me. That's not unusual for astronauts when they graduate," she said.

"For my class, I'm graduating with five others. All five of them will go to space by 2030 and I'm so excited to see them go up and I'll be cheering them on.

"And who knows, maybe one day I'll see them up there too, but the decision for if or when I fly is a decision for Australia to take in the future when the time becomes right to take it."

If that happens, Katherine Bennell-Pegg will not be the world's first Australian-born astronaut.

That distinction already belongs to Paul Scully-Power who joined a NASA mission in 1984.

Fellow Aussie Andy Thomas also went to space with NASA in 1996.

Both men were United States citizens when they went to space.

But Ms Bennell-Pegg has pushed into a new frontier by becoming the first person to be trained as part of Australia's own space program.

At the front of the line

That means she is well-placed to potentially become the first person sent into space as part of an Australian mission.

"Well, the future is full of promise, but still unknown," Ms Bennell-Pegg said.

"Australia has a long and proud history in space, but we've only just accelerated our capabilities in recent years.

"Our space agency is quite young, so it's early days.

"And I really stand on the shoulders of giants here as well. Not only the first Australians to go to space in recent decades, but the many others who have worked to build Australia's space sector over the years."

With her training secondment to the European Space Agency at an end, Ms Bennell-Pegg returns to her day job as director of space technology at the Australian Space Agency.

It was an arduous 12 months for the Sydney woman as she tackled the rigorous training required to help her become accustomed to the physical and mental demands of space flight.

That included learning to speak Russian, long hours underwater in scuba equipment practising how to perform spacewalks, and stints in centrifuges and oxygen low-pressure chambers.

Simulated weightlessness flights have been a particular favourite.

"Oh, it's absolutely incredible," Ms Bennell-Pegg.

"When we go on zero-G flights, as they're called, you experience weightlessness for about 22 seconds at a time.

"You lift off the floor and your belly goes into your throat and stays there, but as the gravity kind of drops off, you just get the biggest smile on your face.

"It's the most different feeling. You just have this feeling of absolute freedom."

Regardless of whether she travels into space one day, Ms Bennell-Pegg hopes she can be a trailblazer for future generations of Australian kids ready to set their sights sky-high.

"For those that want to become astronauts, it's absolutely as fun as you can imagine," she said.

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