Physics : Fully funded PhD STFC and Swansea University in the Centre vortices as confinement mechanisms in QCD (RS754)

Funding providers: STFC (50% funded) and Faculty of Science and Engineering Studentship (50% funded)

Subject area: Theoretical Particle Physics

Project start date: 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisors: Professor Chris Allton & Dr Tim Burns

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Physics

Mode of study: Full-time, based at Swansea University

Project description:

There is a great deal of interest in the nature of QCD, the strong interaction force of particle physics. It has a fascinating personality - in all but the most exotic situations, it confines quarks together into hadrons such as protons and neutrons with a force of 15 tonnes (the weight of 3 elephants), but at large temperatures >1012C such as occurred just after the Big Bang, it is feeble and hadrons fall apart.

How confinement works in QCD, and how temperature affects it is not understood mathematically. Unsurprisingly, it is the subject of intense research and a $1M Millennium Prize. There are however a number of interesting, insightful ideas which may point to a more profound understanding. One of these is "Centre Vortices''. These are the non-perturbative part of the gluonic fields and distil important topological structures thought to contain the essence of confinement.

This project will use a first-principles approach in which large-scale simulations of QCD are performed on a discretised “lattice” version of space and time, similar to the finite difference approach in computational fluid dynamics. Using this Lattice QCD method, Centre Vortex fields will be analysed to understand particles called glueballs and the temperature effects of confinement.

The project will be based on performing computational simulations and theoretical calculations of QCD. It will involve applying quantum field theory and computational methods to understand the nature of the confinement mechanism of QCD.

Candidates must hold a UK Bachelor's degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours in Physics or a similar relevant science discipline or overseas Bachelor's degree deemed equivalent to UK Bachelor's (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours in Physics or similar relevant science discipline – see country-specific qualifications

OR a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University).

IELTS 6.5 overall (with at least 5.5 in each individual component) or Swansea recognised equivalent. Details on the Swansea University English Language entry policy can be found here.

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 the scholarship course offer.

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

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

Scholarship open to UK and international fee-eligible applicants. 

STFC 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 rates. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements. 

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

1. Course choice – please select:

Physics / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / 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 2025

3. Funding (page 8 on the application process) – · ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No · ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS754 - Centre vortices’

*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.

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.

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

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

· CV
· Degree certificates and transcripts
· A cover letter
· One reference
· Evidence of meeting English Language requirements (if applicable)
· Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
· Confirmation of submission of EDI Form

*For ALL scholarship applications from February 2023 an EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Monitoring Form is required.

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Chris Allton c.r.allton@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.