Stellar Archaeology: the nuclear fingerprints of massive stars

The nuclear physics research group at the University of Surrey is seeking an outstanding doctoral student candidate to join its internationally renowned program of nuclear reaction studies for astrophysics.

Start date

1 October 2024

Duration

3.5 years

Application deadline

20 January 2024

Funding source

Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC)

Funding information

Standard UKRI stipend

Supervised by

Dr Matthew Williams

STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellow

Prof Gavin Lotay

Professor, Director of Research and Innovation

About

The successful applicant will be welcomed into our world-leading research programme investigating key nuclear reactions that underpin our understanding on the origin of the elements. To this end, the student will participate in experiments at several world-leading nuclear laboratories in the US, Canada and France. Results obtained from these experimental studies will be fed into state-of-the-art computational models to assess impact how elements were synthesised long ago in stellar environments. Skills in data analysis, scientific communication, radiation detection and measurement will be strongly developed over the course of the studentship. This scholarship will also facilitate opportunities for the student to present their findings at national and international conferences, as well as participate in educational summer schools and workshops.

Eligibility criteria

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information.

You will need to meet minimum entry requirements for our Physics PhD programme.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via the Physics PhD programme page. In place of a research proposal, you should upload a document stating the title of the project that you wish to apply for and the name of the relevant supervisor.