Development of new Particle in Cell capability for High Energy Density Materials

About the PhD Project for October 2025 start

Supervised by Prof. Jeremy Chittenden

Are you passionate about developing novel research and keen to shape the future of energy transfer technologies in areas such as, laser interactions, plasma physics, RF technologies, materials science and engineering? We are recruiting a motivated PhD candidate to undertake an exciting project within the EPSRC Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub. As a student of the Hub, you will receive an enhanced stipend of £24,780 per year, plus additional funds of £7,000 a year for travel, conferences and research equipment. This project is co- funded by DSTL.

The studentship will focus on the development of a new state of the art particle in cell modelling capability for the study of high energy density materials.

 The main objectives of this project are: 

·        Investigation of the physics of intense particle beams generated using pulsed power systems or intense lasers and the effects of these intense particle fluxes on a background material.

·        Development of a new particle in cell code utilising advanced implicit methods for exact energy and charge conservation which enable longer physical timescales to be simulated. The model will also be built with the ability to utilise GPU computing architecture to enable massively parallel, large-scale computing

·        Implementation of models for intense particle fluxes in high energy density materials including the self-consistent modelling of electric and magnetic fields due to the particle space charge and currents as well as neutralisation or suppression of these fields by electrons within a surrounding plasma. Further models will be included for the slowing and scattering of the particle flux by the background material and the corresponding thermal and hydrodynamic response of the material.

·        Research into multiple applications such as the generation of intense X-ray sources using electron beams or for inertial confinement fusion concepts such as proton driven fast ignition as well as high yield fusion burn propagation driven by intense alpha particle fluxes.

The Hub

The Doctoral Hub specialises in developing research and training the next generation of leaders in energy transfer technologies for defence and related sectors. The successful candidate will be based at Imperial College and throughout their PhD will benefit from the support and expertise of our diverse academic community, a community of students working towards similar goals, as well as our specialist industrial network.

Why Join Us?

·        Industrial Collaboration: Each PhD student within the Hub is partnered with an industry collaborator, providing placement opportunities to work and train alongside industry experts

·        Comprehensive Training: The Hub offers a blend of academic and industrial training, preparing you for diverse career pathways in research or industry

·        Cohort Experience: Build your research network through inclusion in a vibrant cohort of PhD students that conduct research with academic leaders across leading UK institutions. Engage in online and face-to-face activities, including cohort-building events and collaborative learning exercises

·        Funding: A generous fully funded studentship (no fees and a monthly personal payment) with additional support for conferences, travel, training, consumables and extended placement with industry collaborators.

Key Details

·        Host Institution: Imperial College

·        Industry Partner: DSTL

·        PhD Duration: 4 years

·        Start Date: 1st October 2025

·        Enhanced stipend of £24,780

The industrial partner, DSTL, is one of the principal government organisations dedicated to science and technology in the defence and security field. The partner will provide PhD supervision, a placement and be part of the larger Hub community benefiting in the diverse academic and industrial network offered by the Hub.

Please check the hub website for further details: Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub - Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub - University of Liverpool

Eligibility

PhD Candidates must hold a minimum of an upper Second-Class UK Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline. Candidates must be UK Nationals and be willing to apply for and able to obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor for this PhD project before you apply.

How to apply

Please contact Prof. Jeremy Chittenden (j.chittenden@imperial.ac.uk) for more details before applying. Further details on the research group at Imperial College are available here along with details of the application process.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

The Hub is committed to improving diversity within the sector and as such we aim to provide an inclusive environment in which all students can thrive. We particularly encourage applications from women, disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, and students from low-income/ non-typical backgrounds to apply. We can also consider part time PhD students. We encourage and support talented individuals from various STEM backgrounds with ambition and an interest in making a difference.

Funding Notes

The generous funding package includes full tuition fees and an enhanced stipend of £24,780 per annum. Additional support is available for conference attendance, specialised training, travel to industrial partners, and extended placements with industry collaborators. This studentship is open to UK Nationals and is available for home students only.

Application closing date: 31^st of March 2025

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/plasma-physics/opportunities/phd/lab-astrophysics/