PhD in Physics

PhD Studentship on the SNO+ Neutrino Experiment (2025)

What you get

• Fully-paid tuition fees for three and a half years.

• A tax-free bursary for living costs for three and a half years (£19,237 per annum in 24/25).

• Additional financial support is provided to cover short-term and long-term travel.

• If you are not a UK national, nor an EU national with UK settled/pre-settled status, you will need to apply for a student study visa before admission.

Type of award

Postgraduate Research

PhD project

Applications are invited from talented and creative students for a PhD place in Experimental Particle Physics to join the Sussex group working on the SNO+ experiment under the supervision of Dr Elisabeth Falk. SNO+ offers a rich programme of neutrino physics, which includes neutrinoless double beta decay, antineutrinos from reactors and geothermal activity, solar neutrinos and a supernova watch. It is located at SNOLAB, 2 km underground in the Creighton mine in Canada. The experiment is taking physics data with the liquid-scintillator detector, with preparations for the introduction of the double beta decay isotope underway.

You will join the Sussex group in working on the analysis of antineutrinos from nearby nuclear reactors. The focus will be on an oscillation measurement that is expected to surpass the current world-leading result for the so-called solar mass splitting within the duration of the studentship. You will also contribute to the calibration of the experiment and to data quality assurance, as well as participating in SNO+ experimental operations. You will have the opportunity to spend an extended period of time at SNOLAB.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold, or expect to hold, at least a UK upper second-class degree (or non-UK equivalent qualification) in Physics or a closely-related area, or else a lower second-class degree followed by a relevant Master's degree.

This award is open to UK and International students.

Deadline

28 February 2025 23:45

How to apply

Apply through the University of Sussex on-line system. 

https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply/log-into-account

Select the PhD in Physics/Mathematics, with an entry date of September 2025.

In the Finance & Fees section, state that you wish to be considered for studentship no EPP/2025/01

Due to the high volume of applications received, you may only hear from us if your application is successful.

Contact us

If you have practical questions about the progress of your on-line application or your eligibility, contact mps-pgrsupport@sussex.ac.uk.

For academic questions about the project, contact Dr Elisabeth Falk at E.Falk@sussex.ac.uk.

Timetable

Deadline - 28th February 2025.

Due to the high volume of applications received, you may only hear from us if your application is successful.