Electronic and Electrical Engineering: Fully Funded EPSRC DTP PhD Scholarship: Diamond NV quantum sensor (RS599)

Funding providers: EPSRC DTP

Subject areas: Quantum technology, Applied physics, Electronic science and technology

Project start date: 

• 1 October 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisors:

• Professor Lijie Li (L.Li@swansea.ac.uk)
• Professor Karol Kalna 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Mode of study: Full-time 

Project description: 

Sensors play a critical role in many electronic systems, providing important data to power our decision-making. Apart from general physical and chemical sensors, quantum sensors reply on quantum particles to conduct measurement and are able to have many orders of magnitude more sensitivity than traditional sensors. Many quantum sensors are based on special materials, such as nitrogen vacancy centres in diamond (Diamond NV), which is a photoluminescent point defect in diamond. The Diamond NV have been extensively utilised to achieve quantum computing and processing in information technology, biosensing, microwave and magnetic field detecting, and various other applications in diverse fields, due to their superior performances in long-lived coherence time, single-photon generation, and many other properties. In this PhD project, built upon research group’s previous research on this topic, the student will be undertaking ground-breaking research in Diamond NV quantum sensors, from fundamental simulations of material properties using density functional theory to characterisation and integration of the material into functional sensing devices. 

Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Physics or Electronic Science, or equivalent degree in similar relevant science discipline. If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements (see country specific qualifications). Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 5.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here. 

This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.

EPSRC DTP studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students, once the limit has been reached, we are unable to make offers to international students. We are still accepting applications from international applicants.  International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements. 

ATAS

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website. 

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process, successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with scholarship course offer. 

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. 

This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and an annual stipend at £19,237.

Additional research expenses will also be available.

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:

1. Course choice – please select Electronic and Electrical Engineering / PhD / Full-time / 3 Year / October 

   In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

2. Start year – please select 2024
3. Funding (page 8) –

• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS599 - Quantum Sensor’

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

We encourage you to complete the following to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University: 

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form (online form) 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via e-mail). We strongly advise you to provide the listed supporting documents by the advertised application closing date. Please note that your application may not be considered without the documents listed:

• CV
• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
• Two references (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission (optional) 

Informal enquiries are welcome, please contact Professor Lijie Li (L.Li@swansea.ac.uk).

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.