Physics and Astronomy PhD (Nuclear Physics specialism)

Nuclear-Physics-PhD

Postgraduate doctoral research degree in Physics and Astronomy PhD (Nuclear Physics specialism):

Our research is aimed at understanding the properties of atomic nuclei in terms of the behaviour of their constituents. These properties are investigated from low energy, where the nuclear constituents interact as individual particles, to very high energies, where nucleons can 'melt' into their component quarks and gluons. 

We are also interested in the use of nuclear physics in medical and industrial applications.

Course fact file

Type of Course: Doctoral research

Study Options: Full time

Duration: PhD: 3.5 years full-time; MSc by research: 1 year full-time

Start date: Contact the School directly for further information

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Admissions Tutor: Dr Peter Jones

Please complete our contact form and we will respond to your enquiry within two business days.

Alternatively, you can contact us on +44 (0)121 414 4677 or by email: physics-phd@contacts.bham.ac.uk 

  1. School of Physics and Astronomy
Course details

Details

Our research is aimed at understanding the properties of atomic nuclei in terms of the behaviour of their constituents. These properties are investigated from low energy, where the nuclear constituents interact as individual particles, to very high energies, where nucleons can 'melt' into their component quarks and gluons. We are also interested in the use of nuclear physics in medical and industrial applications.

The Charissa collaboration is using large detector arrays to investigate the properties of nuclei far from stability, near the neutron and proton drip lines. This work is undertaken at laboratories around the world, including the Grand Accelerateur National d’Ions Lourds (GANIL) in France, which is a leading facility for the study of exotic nuclei far from stability.

Information about sizes and shapes of unstable nuclei is obtained by the application of high-resolution laser spectroscopy at Jyväskylä in Finland at the CERN-ISOLDE facility. The group is also involved in preparatory work for experiments at the forthcoming Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) at GSI in Germany.

At very high-energy, collisions of heavy nuclei produce energy densities that would have occurred at times only several microseconds after the Big Bang. We are responsible for the trigger system in the ALICE experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider and are pursuing physics topics ranging from soft particle production and resonances through to jets and heavy flavour.

There is also the possibility of research projects related to the nuclear power industry, usually following-on from our MSc course on the Physics and Technology of Nuclear Reactors. These projects are normally run in conjunction with the UK and French industry.

Related links

School of Physics and Astronomy
Nuclear Physics Group: www.np.ph.bham.ac.uk  

Fees and funding

Standard fees apply
Learn more about fees and funding

Scholarships and studentships
We have a number of studentships supported by the UK research councils EPSRC and STFC available each year, including some CASE awards. These studentships cover the costs of tuition fees and provide a subsistence allowance for 3.5 years. They are available to UK nationals with at least an upper second-class Honours degree from a UK university, or equivalent. Preference is usually given to those holding four-year MPhys or MSci degrees.

We offer about half a dozen postgraduate teaching assistantships each year as top-ups to EPSRC and STFC studentships. There are also substantial opportunities for postgraduate demonstrators. EU nationals may be eligible for fees-only awards, which are occasionally supplemented by the School. Scholarships may be available, for more information contact the School directly or email sfo@contacts.bham.ac.uk

International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

Entry requirements

Learn more about entry requirements. 

International students
We accept a range of qualifications from different countries – learn more about international entry requirements.

Standard English language requirements apply.

How to apply

Learn more about applying

Apply now

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

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Contact

Read FAQs for this programme

Admissions Tutor: Dr Peter Jones

Please complete our contact form and we will respond to your enquiry within two business days.

Alternatively, you can contact us on +44 (0)121 414 4677 or by email: physics-phd@contacts.bham.ac.uk 

  1. School of Physics and Astronomy

Related links

Overview
Research interests

Research interests of staff

The School of Physics and Astronomy was placed among the leading research institutions in the latest (2008) Research Assessment Exercise.

Our research portfolio is wide-ranging, and covers three principal themes: Particle and Nuclear Physics; Quantum Matter and Nanoscale Science; and Astronomy. We have over 120 academic and research staff together with 120 graduate students with around 50 technical and clerical support staff. Our annual research income is over £8 million and more than 250 research publications are produced each year.

Visit the website for the Nuclear Physics Research Group research group for further information.

Related research

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Contact

Read FAQs for this programme

Admissions Tutor: Dr Peter Jones

Please complete our contact form and we will respond to your enquiry within two business days.

Alternatively, you can contact us on +44 (0)121 414 4677 or by email: physics-phd@contacts.bham.ac.uk 

  1. School of Physics and Astronomy
Course details
Employability

Employability

University Careers Network

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.

If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

Contact us

Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) 2010/11 (postgraduate taught graduates)

The DLHE survey is conducted 6 months after graduation.

Range of Employers for Birmingham's Physics and Astronomy Graduates

  • AWE (Atomic Weapons Establishment)
  • Deloitte
  • EDF Energy
  • Frazer-Nash Consultancy
  • KPMG LLP
  • National Health Service
  • Nuclear Technologies
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
  • Rolls-Royce plc
  • University of Birmingham

Range of Occupations for Birmingham's Physics and Astronomy Graduates

  • Accountant
  • Consultant
  • Nuclear Physicist
  • Postdoctoral Researcher
  • Radiotherapy Physicist
  • Research Scientist
  • Teacher
  • Trainee Clinical Scientist
  • Trainee Medical Physicist
  • Trainee Patent Attorney

Range of Courses of Further Study for Birmingham's Physics and Astronomy Graduates

  • MSc Intelligent Systems Engineering
  • MSc Medical and Radiation Physics
  • MSc Medical Physics
  • MSc Nuclear Physics
  • MSc Photonics and Optoelectric Devices
  • MSc Physics and Technology of Nuclear Reactors
  • PGCE Secondary Science - Physics
  • PhD Astrophysics
  • PhD Nanophysics
  • PhD Nuclear Physics

Visit the Careers section of the University website for further information.

Print this page

Download as PDF

Send to a friend

Apply to study here

Contact

Read FAQs for this programme

Admissions Tutor: Dr Peter Jones

Please complete our contact form and we will respond to your enquiry within two business days.

Alternatively, you can contact us on +44 (0)121 414 4677 or by email: physics-phd@contacts.bham.ac.uk 

  1. School of Physics and Astronomy
Research interests