Theoretical Cosmology, Physics: Quantum Fields, Information, and Next-Generation Cosmological Probes (RS980)

Funding Providers: STFC

Subject Area:  Theoretical Cosmology

Project Start Dates: October 2026

** (Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates.)

Supervisors:

• Azadeh Maleknejad
• Gianmassimo Tasinato

Aligned programme of study: Physics, Ph.D.

Mode of study: Full time

Place of study: Swansea University (Singleton Campus)

Project description:

Quantum Fields, Information, and Next-Generation Cosmological Probes

This PhD project will investigate theoretical aspects of quantum field theory in cosmological spacetimes, with a particular focus on the physics of the early Universe. It will explore the behaviour of quantum fields in expanding backgrounds, including particle production, the dynamics of cosmological perturbations, and the emergence of effectively classical observables from primordial quantum fluctuations.

A central theme of the project will be the role of quantum information concepts in cosmology. Notions such as entanglement, quantum coherence, and information flow offer new perspectives on the quantum-to-classical transition, as well as on the structure and evolution of quantum correlations generated during the early Universe. These questions will be addressed using frameworks from open quantum systems, decoherence, and non-equilibrium quantum dynamics, providing a unified description of quantum fields interacting with a cosmological environment.

The project will further aim to connect these theoretical developments with potential observable signatures. In particular, it will investigate how quantum information–theoretic features may be encoded in cosmological and astrophysical observables, and how they could be accessed through next-generation probes, including gravitational-wave observatories, measurements of the cosmic microwave background, and emerging concepts inspired by quantum sensing technologies.

The research will be primarily theoretical, relying on analytical methods from quantum field theory, general relativity, and cosmology, with interdisciplinary links to statistical physics and quantum information theory.

**In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level or a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University).

English Language
IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.0) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

Note for applicants holding international and/or European qualifications: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page. 

If you have questions regarding your academic eligibility based on the above, email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the link to the scholarships you are interested in. 

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 a scholarship course offer.

UK fee eligible applicants only  

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA (Full list of categories for HE in Wales)

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £21,805 for 2026/27).

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.

To apply, please complete the entire application form here.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh and any application submitted in Welsh will be treated no less favourably than an application submitted in English. Please refer to the University’s Welsh Language Policy on Awarding Grants   

To be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required.  

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS980  

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory)  

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:  

• the RS Code, RS980  
• the scholarship title  

• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank  
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank  
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload? *’(Mandatory) Please select Yes  
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.  

*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.  

If you’ve previously applied for this programme, the system will display an “Application Submitted” warning and block a new submission. In this case:   

1.            Apply for the same course with the next available start date (e.g., select January if October is unavailable).   

2.            Email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with your student number and the relevant scholarship RS code, requesting the start date be amended to match the advert.   

3.            Admissions staff will then update your application accordingly.   

Important: If you have previously applied for the same programme & intake, do not re‑apply using a different email address. Applications submitted with an email address that differs from the one used in your original application will not be accepted or considered 

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

NOTE:  Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.  

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):  

•           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.  

•           One reference (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 - please note that you do not need to hold a valid English Language test at time of application, as any offer made can be conditional upon the appropriate level of English. Please find further information on what we can accept via our English Language policy pages here).  

•           Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)  

•           Confirmation of EDI form submission  

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact:  

NAME: Azadeh Maleknejad

EMAIL:  Azadeh.Maleknejad@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.