Postgraduate study
We welcome applications for PhD and MSc positions in both experimental and theoretical particle physics. You can find out more about the different research areas using the Research pages on this website. We typically take on 15-20 new PhD students each year.
Deadline for the first round of consideration: 1st December 2025.
Applications submitted after this date will be considered for future rounds should positions remain available.
Contact
For informal enquiries please email the relevant PGR admission coordinators:
- Experimental particle physics: Dr Elena Gramellini (elena.gramellini@manchester.ac.uk) and Dr Michaela Queitsch-Maitland (michaela.queitsch-maitland@manchester.ac.uk)
- Theoretical particle physics: Prof Christoph Englert (christoph.englert@manchester.ac.uk)
Projects and Funding
We typically have PhD opportunities in all research areas, you can find out more details on the Research pages. To find potential supervisors, see the list of People in the group and browse their profiles on https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/organisations/particle-physics-group/persons/.
The main avenue of funding for PhD studentships in the group is through the UK national research council for particle physics, STFC, through which we have a limited number of studentships each year (including a limited number for international applicants). There are a number of other funding opportunities, including prestigious scholarships for both home and international applicants, which can be browsed here.
By applying for particle physics, you will automatically be considered for all potential funding schemes and projects. The source of funding or project are typically only decided after interview, at the point at which we make you an offer.
However, we have a number of special projects available this year which have slightly different application processes. Please see the dedicated adverts below for how to apply:
| Project | Supervisor(s) | Scheme (follow link for details) | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| The search for high-mass, weakly interacting particles that decay to a pair of tau leptons at the LHC: a vehicle for interdisciplinary research to develop physics-based AI methods | Prof. Terry Wyatt | AI CDT, Bicentenary | 5th December 2025 (AI CDT) 31st January 2026 (Bicentenary) |
| Developing a novel Machine Learning algorithm for discovering matter antimatter differences / Advancing searches for new fundamental physics through Artificial Intelligence | Prof. Chris Parkes | AI CDT Bicentenary | 5th December 2025 (AI CDT) 31st January 2026 (Bicentenary) |
| Developing tabletop levitating quantum sensors to detect dark matter and other fundamental interactions | Prof. Darren Price | Bicentenary | 31st January 2026 |
| Search for dark-matter particles using novel quantum technologies | Prof Mark Lancaster, Dr. Elena Gramellini | Bicentenary | 31st January 2026 |
Please note that we need several weeks to process your application, so please apply well in advance of the scholarship or other scheme deadlines.
How to apply
Application process
We run a competitive selection process in two steps, first evaluating candidates based on CV and research/professional experience, followed by interviews with a gender mixed panel. The minimum requirement for application is a strong 2:1 class UK Masters honours degree or equivalent. Substantial professional or research experience is advantageous.
The starting point for most applications is through the application portal which can be found in the links below:
PhD: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/programmes/list/05510/phd-particle-physics/
MSc: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/programmes/list/02353/msc-by-research-astronomy-and-astrophysics/
By applying for particle physics, you will automatically be considered for all potential funding schemes and projects. For some specific projects/schemes (listed in the table above), you must apply separately following the links from the project list above.
We do not require a detailed research proposal, please use this to describe which topics and/or projects you’re interested in applying for (a few sentences or stating the research field/ the experiment(s) of interest is sufficient; no preference for a particular experiment is also fine). You are also welcome to contact an academic to discuss potential projects before making your application.
The application form will ask for a “named supervisor”: if you do not have a preference, please put down the names of the admission coordinators.
You will see the full entry requirements and the documents needed. Please select PhD in physics, then select “particle physics” in the next step.
Disclaimer: usually it takes at least several days for the applications to be processed by the admissions office. Once you have applied please contact the admission coordinators, and send the ID of your application and you can send your documents for faster processing.
Interviews
Our main interview period is in late January/early February (with in-person interview dates TBA) with offers being made in March. However our admissions process for the 2026/27 intake runs from December 2025 until September 2026. All applicants will receive a notification of a positive or negative outcome. If you have not heard from us then your application is still being considered but you are welcome to inquire.