Postgraduate Opportunities

The University of Sussex Experimental Particle Physics group plays a critically important role in a number of experiments at the frontiers of our knowledge of particle physics, with main involvement in: the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider, the SNO+ neutrinoless double beta decay experiment at SNOLAB (Canada), and the NOvA, DUNE, and SBND neutrino oscillation experiments at Fermilab (USA). The group is also very active in detector development R&D for future experiments: we are one of the largest groups world-wide developing novel opaque scintillator detectors, particularly for the CLOUD experiment in France. Please see our list of currently available PhD projects.

Funding

Every year we offer fully-funded PhD studentships in experimental particle physics, supported by a variety of sources including the Science and Technology Facilities Council, SEPnet, ERC and others.

Funded studentships typically pay students a tax-free bursary (around £18,600 per annum), for 3.5 years, as well as fees at the home-student level (£4596 in 2023). UK students are eligible for home tuition fees, as are EU students with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Outstanding students not eligible for home fees may be considered for a partial tuition fee waiver above that level. Funding is also available for short and long term travel.

We also welcome applications from fully or partially self-funded students.

How and When to Apply

Please use our online application form.

Applications open in October at the start of the academic year and continue throughout the year. Early applications are encouraged. We typically conduct interviews of shortlisted candidates in February and March, with interviews continuing until positions are filled.

For more information please contact the EPP PGR admissions tutor Prof Iacopo Vivarelli, or members of the individual research teams.

Masters Programme

We offer a one year full time or two year part time Particle Physics MSc. You will follow part of the taught PhD programme and perform a research project in one of our experimental groups. These degrees are often an excellent opportunity to move on to a PhD. More information can be found at the Department of Physics and Astronomy postgraduate studies webpage.