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Other PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships
We have 260 Other PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships
PhDs in Physics are doctoral research degrees that allow students to deeply explore a particular aspect of the physical sciences.
Specifics vary drastically between programmes, but may involve research into the complexities of quantum mechanics, the properties of materials, and the fundamental forces of nature.
Entry requirements typically include an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject such as Physics, Mathematics or Engineering. A relevant Masters degree may also be required depending on the programme.
Why study a PhD in Physics?
Develop Skills and Knowledge
A PhD in Physics allows you to not only develop your own knowledge of Physics, but also to make a unique, original contribution to the subject as a whole. By doing so, you will hone a variety of transferable skills, such as:
- Research and Analytical Skills: Ability to design, conduct, and analyse complex research projects.
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Expertise in evaluating physical theories and practices to address challenges.
- Communication and Presentation Skills: Proficiency in effectively conveying ideas and findings to diverse audiences.
Further Career Development
If you're hoping for a career in academia, a PhD is typically required. Other research-based careers may likewise require a PhD, and even when they don't, employers will value the research skills and knowledge developed during your degree. For more information, please visit our PhD employability guide.
After completing your PhD in Physics, a potential career option might be employment as an Academic Researcher. According to UK salary data from Glassdoor, an Academic Researcher earns an average of £33,747 per year, dependent on factors such as experience, employer and employment location.
Improve Employability
Completing a PhD may also improve your employability. According to the UK government's LEO Graduate and Postgraduate Outcomes survey, 78% of Physics PhD students were in further education or employment three years after graduation.
What do prospective Physics PhD students think about study?
We host the Pulse postgraduate survey to understand the motivations, concerns and expectations of students just like you. For prospective Physics PhD students in 2023:
- 74% were either positive or very positive about employment after graduation.
- 83% preferred on campus learning, 5% preferred online/distance learning, and 12% preferred a blended approach.
- 10% were interested in part-time study.
- In order of popularity, the top three study motivations were:
- Subject interest
- Career progress
- Challenge
If you'd like to make your voice heard, why not complete our survey? Your feedback will help us ensure our site is as helpful as possible for students like you!
Note: This guidance was produced with the assistance of AI. However, all data is derived from reliable, authoratitive sources, and all content has been reviewed by humans.
Actuator PHM exploiting multi- physics digital twin and machine learning PhD
To ensure safe and efficient operation, electric actuators should be controlled on a suitable operative environment, which includes temperature and pressure as well. Read more
Rapid MRI scanning for population-level neuroimaging
Commercial partner: Siemens Healthineers. The UK Biobank (UKB) is the largest research database of brain images in the world, having recently reached 90% of its target of 100,000 neuroimaging participants. Read more
Exploring multiscale dynamical landscapes and hierarchies of tipping points in the Earth System
The Earth is a complex system featuring variability on a vast range of spatial and temporal scales. One of its features is metastability, i.e. Read more
Predicting Hydrogen Embrittlement in Metallic Alloys using Multiscale Numerical Modelling (Ref: UF-AR-2024-4)
The structural integrity of metallic components when exposed to a hydrogen atmosphere for long durations is known to get compromised. Read more
Mechanics of materials (Ref: UF-VS-2024)
In the last decades, Mechanics of Materials as a discipline has experienced a type of revival. The main reason for this has been a continuing introduction of new materials (or even their classes) with extraordinary microstructures, properties and performance. Read more
Mechanics of biomaterials (Ref: UF-VS-2024-1)
Understanding mechanical properties and performance of various biological materials and tissues and their responses to different loading and environmental conditions is becoming increasingly important for development of new medical procedures and devices. Read more
Dynamic deformation, damage and fracture of composites (Ref: UF-VS-2024-2)
In the recent years, the use of composite materials has demonstrated a continuing increase in aerospace, wind-energy, transportation, naval, defence and sports systems and products. Read more
MRes: Measuring the expansion of waxes upon melting at high pressure
The Materials and Physics Research Group at The University of Salford has recently developed a new all-optical method to directly measure the pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) equation of state (EOS) of fluids and transparent solids in the diamond anvil high pressure cell by measuring the volume of the sample chamber. Read more
Nanotechnology: Fully Funded EPSRC and Grove Materials Ltd PhD Scholarship: Designer nanoparticles for biomedicine and energy: Physics meets biology and chemistry
Funding providers: EPSRC (CASE) with co-sponsor, Grove Nanomaterials Limited. Subject areas: Nanotechnology, physics, chemistry, biotechnology. Read more
Ultra-compact chromatic confocal sensor implementing metasurfaces for rapid surface topography evaluation using coordinate measuring machines
As part of the £5.5M EPSRC grant, ‘Next Generation Metrology Driven by Nanophotonics’ awarded to the Universities of Huddersfield and Southampton, we are… Read more
Fully Funded Coating PhD Studentship with Rolls Royce Thermally Sprayed Coatings to inhibit bondcoat – Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) Interactions - (ENG 211)
UK & Overseas Applicants are invited to undertake a 4 year, fully-funded PhD studentship (fees and stipend) within the Centre of Excellence in Coatings and Surface Engineering (CE-CSE) at the University of Nottingham and Rolls Royce. Read more
Agent-Based and Machine Learning Models for understanding the Economic Impacts of AI and/or the Green Transition
Research Focus. Economies worldwide are undergoing transitions driven by new technologies and the move toward a green economy. These transitions, if not done carefully managed, can increase inequality and political polarisation, but under the right policies they can contribute to a more equitable and prosperous future. Read more
University of Reading PhD Opportunities
Our thriving and diverse community of researchers leads the way in understanding the issues that most concern the world today. Join us as a postgraduate researcher at Reading and we will support you at every stage, helping you to deliver research that counts. Read more
Last chance to apply
Quantification of dynamic ion correlations in highly concentrated liquid electrolytes and of their implications for charge- and mass transport
43,000 students and 8,000 employees in teaching, research and administration, all working together to shape perspectives for the future – that is the University of Münster. Read more
sing machine learning to classify microglia. MRC GW4 BioMed DTP PhD studentship 2025/26
About the GW4 BioMed2 Doctoral Training Partnership. The partnership brings together the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff (lead) and Exeter to develop the next generation of biomedical researchers. Read more