EPSRC CDT in Quantum Information Science and Technologies

4 year PhDs at the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Information Science and Technologies (2025)

What you get

The scholarship covers 4 years of:

-  Maintenance allowance above UK Research Council rates (£20,237 in 2024-5)

- PhD fees

- Research and training allowance

Type of award

4 year PhD scholarship

PhD project

Whether you're an engineer with an interest in quantum computing, a physicist with a passion for practical technologies or a mathematician with an aptitude for experimental work, this programme is the next step to a successful career in quantum technologies.

Our EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Information Science and Technologies (QIST) welcomes candidates with backgrounds in mathematics, engineering, computer science, chemistry or the physical sciences. 

This programme is the next step to a successful career in quantum technologies, whether you are: 

• a computer scientist with interest in developing quantum algorithms 
• a chemist intrigued by the modelling power of quantum simulators 
• a mathematician with a passion for quantum computing 
• a physicist excited to implement practical technologies 
• an engineer inspired to deploy a quantum-enabled communications network 

 Our programme:  Our four-year programme has been designed by leading academics and industry partners and includes a broad range of taught modules at Sussex and at Bristol in year one leading to a three year research project phase. Postgraduate researchers at Sussex and Bristol will benefit from:

• Guided and self-inspired learning with a broad range of PhD research projects available
• Experience of practical application as well as a sound theoretical understanding of quantum physics
• Developing complementary skills – such as commercialisation and science communication – necessary for academic and industrial excellence
• Access to an international network of world-class academic and industrial collaborators
• Industry trip to USA to visit companies and research labs working in the quantum field
• Financial support for academic and industrial secondments
• Opportunity and funding to attend international and national conferences
• A cohort approach to learning, enabling students to learn from each other in a rapidly evolving field
• Access to a broad technology base and state-of-the-art facilities at Sussex and Bristol

Our Master Class: Postgraduate researchers at Sussex will also benefit from a new exciting Master Class "Microwave Trapped-Ion Quantum Computing". This Master Class is being led by world-leading quantum computing theorist Gerard Milburn (FRS), including a software engineer formerly working at Google (Joe Swainston) and two talented PDRAS (one with focus on quantum gates (Chris Knapp) and the other focussing on electronics engineering for quantum computing (Pedro Taylor Burdett)) 

• The Master Class is only open to QIST-CDT doctoral students.
• Students will receive training in critical skills for microwave trapped-ion quantum computing during first year of the CDT in order to enable students to focus on their actual research challenges during the 3 years of their subsequent PhD project. This will enable such PhD students to realize similar achievements as their peers in the American system where a PhD project typically take 4-5 years to complete.

Eligibility

Applicants should have at least an upper-second class undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as Physics, Mathematics or Engineering (or equivalent qualification).

Scholarships are available for UK and International applicants, but 70% of the awards will be for UK applicants.

UK candidates include UK nationals resident in the UK for the last 3 years and EU nationals with pre/settled status in the UK . 

Candidates for whom English is not their first language will require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in any section - English language requirements

Applications are particularly welcomed from UK candidates with protected characteristics – e.g., from Black and other ethnic minorities who are under-represented in postgraduate research at our institution.

Number of scholarships available

Up to 10 per year

Deadline

How to apply

Please follow the guidelines below on how to apply to our new four-year QIST PhD programme: 

Apply on our Postgraduate Admissions system here 

• Start a new application and choose QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES (PhD) start date September 2025 
• In the “Finances/Funding” field write “ EPSRC QIST PhD”  
• Upload all required documents (CV, personal statement, degree certificates and transcripts and English Language Certificate is applicable) 

 Please also ensure you complete an additional form on our QIST CDT webpage which is COMPULSORY for your application to QIST. Pre-application form

Contact us

For further information about the programme at Sussex contact Prof Winfried Hensinger 

For questions about the application form please contact mps-pgrsupport@sussex.ac.uk

Timetable

Deadline for applications: 10 February 2025

Visit/Interview days: commencing March 2025

Offers made: from March 2025