Bell Burnell PhD Scholarship in Physics and Astronomy

Overview

The Institute of Physics (IoP) and a renowned physicist Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell launched the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund to encourage greater diversity in physics. The Fund is for graduates wishing to study towards a doctorate in physics and from groups that are currently under-represented in physics. It is made possible thanks to Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell's generous donation of her £2.3m Breakthrough Prize.

We are looking for an outstanding student to do research in physics or astronomy. The available topics for a PhD with contact details of supervisors are listed here.

Number Of Awards:

1

Start Date:

September 2022

Award Duration:

4 years

Sponsor:

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund and the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics. The tuition fees will be paid by the Bell Burnell Fund and the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics (50:50).

Eligibility Criteria:

• Students must be from an underrepresented group in physics – please find full details in the ‘eligibility criteria’ section of the IoP guide (PDF:2.3MB).
• The studentship is available to Home applicants only
• You must have or expect a First Class or high 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent physics or astrophysics. Enthusiasm for research, ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are essential requirements
• If English is not your first language, you must have IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills)

How To Apply:

The application process consists of 2 stages:

1.   Internal selection by the School (Application deadline 12.12.2021). Please find instructions below

2.   External selection by the IoP (Application deadline 21.01.2022). Details will be communicated shortly after 12.12.2021 to the successful student from Stage 1

Applicants are required to choose the topic of their PhD from this list and discuss it with the named supervisor. Once agreed on a project with a supervisor, apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system:

Please speak to your supervisor to confirm whether your topic is theoretical or experimental.

• Theoretical - Insert the programme code 8221F in the programme of study section, select ‘PhD in Physics (Theoretical)’ as the programme of study
• Experimental – Insert programme code 8839F in the programme of study section, select ‘PhD in Physics (Experimental)’ as the programme of study
• Insert the studentship code MSP040 in the studentship/partnership reference field
• Attach a cover letter and CV - covering letter must state the title of the studentship, your supervisor, project title, quote reference code MSP040 & state how your interests and experience relate to the project. CV should list details of two references
• Attach a 2-page research proposal in conjunction with your chosen supervisor/project
• Attach a 1-page document discussing:

1. Potential benefits to student (why do they need the grant and what would it do for them?)
2. Student’s motivation
3. Student’s potential for being an ambassador for the Fund

• Attach degree transcripts, certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.