PhD Opportunities
Explore a range of exciting PhD opportunities in physics offered through SEPnet's partner universities. Whether you're interested in cutting-edge research or advancing your academic career, find the perfect program to take your studies to the next level.
PhD Scholarships at SEPnet Universities
SEPnet is a consortium of six world-class universities focused on the future of physics. Each university offers a range of fully-funded, competitive PhD scholarships within their varied research programmes, tackling the grand challenges in physics.
Scholarship opportunities can be found via the research links in the main menu. Many scholarships are restricted to students from the UK, but some are awarded to students from around the world. Unfunded places are usually also available for self-funded students, e.g. holding foreign government or industry funding awards.
GRADnet – SEPnet’s graduate network
GRADnet is SEPnet’s collaborative physics graduate school, providing one of the most dynamic postgraduate training environments in the UK. GRADnet conducts an annual programme of discipline-specific training and also more generic postgraduate skills training for physics PhD and MSc by Research students to enhance their knowledge, skills and future career opportunities. The planning and delivery of the collaborative programme is jointly delivered by both academic and industry course leaders.
GRADnet events include industry workshops and challenges to expand your horizons, enabling you to discover first hand the ways in which physics PhD graduates have applied the knowledge and skills developed during their research. Courses range from 1-day training sessions, to 3-4 days residential schools. SEPnet-arranged industry placements are also available to PhD students, either during or shortly after the completion of their degrees. Opportunities like this can enhance your competencies and abilities, as well as strengthen your CV when applying for new roles in the future.
Why do a PhD in the first place?
You may not be sure what you want to do after your physics PhD but whether your plan is to remain in academia or to take your PhD training into a career in industry, the GRADnet programme can help you decide and prepare you for what comes next.
Unsure whether you fit the PhD mould?
There is no one stereotypical physics researcher and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds.
SEPnet is extremely proud of its diverse team of researchers – people who come from many backgrounds, cultures, ways of life, religions, countries and span a wide range of ages, united by a fascination for the workings of the universe that transcend human limits. All SEPnet partners are committed to equality and diversity, and have achieved a range of Athena SWAN awards and Institute of Physics Project Juno awards. These demonstrate their continuing commitment to improving organisational practices to promote equality throughout SEPnet and in its interactions with the world we inhabit, leading to the creation of a better working environment for all.
