PhD Student Experience
A PhD in Condensed Matter Physics at Leeds means becoming part of an active research group rather than working in isolation on a single project. Our PhD students work alongside academics, postdoctoral researchers and other students across experimental, theoretical and computational condensed matter physics.
Doing research
From the start of the PhD, you will work on an original research problem with guidance from your supervisory team. Depending on the project, this may involve developing numerical simulations, running calculations on high-performance computing systems, fabricating and characterising nanoscale devices, growing new materials, analysing experimental data, or combining several of these approaches.
As the project develops, you will take increasing responsibility for defining research questions, choosing methods, interpreting results and deciding what to investigate next. The aim is not simply to complete a prescribed programme of work, but to develop into an independent researcher.
Part of a research community
PhD students are an integral part of the Condensed Matter Physics group. Day-to-day research includes discussions with supervisors, postdoctoral researchers and other students, as well as group meetings, seminars and informal scientific discussions.
Because the group spans experiment, theory and computation, there are many opportunities to learn from researchers working with different techniques and to collaborate across projects. Students are encouraged to engage with the wider School of Physics and Astronomy and with collaborators elsewhere in the UK and internationally.
Developing your skills
The techniques you develop will depend on your research project, but PhD students in the group work with a broad range of advanced experimental and computational methods.
Experimental projects can involve thin-film and materials growth, using techniques including magnetron sputtering, molecular-beam epitaxy, pulsed-laser deposition and evaporation. Our facilities include the multi-chamber Henry Royce Institute thin-film deposition system, which allows metals, magnetic materials, topological materials, superconductors, oxides and organic materials to be combined into complex heterostructures.
Many projects progress from materials growth to nanoscale device fabrication. Students can gain experience with photolithography, electron-beam lithography and focused-ion-beam techniques in the University cleanrooms, producing structures with dimensions down to tens of nanometres.
Our research also requires detailed magnetic, electrical and structural characterisation. Depending on the project, this can include SQUID and vibrating-sample magnetometry, magneto-optical Kerr measurements, low-temperature electrical transport, X-ray diffraction and reflectometry, Raman spectroscopy, and microscopy techniques including AFM, MFM, STM and SEM. Some experiments extend to temperatures below 1 K and magnetic fields of several tesla.
Computational and theoretical projects develop complementary skills in scientific programming, numerical modelling and high-performance computing. Students may develop and analyse large-scale simulations, work with CPU- and GPU-based computing resources, implement numerical algorithms and use computation to interpret experiments and investigate microscopic models of magnetic and electronic materials.
Many projects combine several of these approaches. A student might, for example, grow a magnetic multilayer, fabricate it into a nanoscale device, measure its transport or magnetic response and compare the results with numerical modelling. This breadth gives students experience not only in individual techniques, but in designing experiments or simulations, assessing uncertainties, analysing complex data and deciding what to investigate next.
Alongside these specialist skills, students develop the broader abilities needed for independent research: scientific writing, reproducible data analysis, presenting results, critically evaluating the literature, collaborating with researchers from different backgrounds and communicating their work to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Conferences and collaboration
PhD students are encouraged to present their work at national and international conferences and to interact directly with the wider research community. Many projects involve collaborations with other universities, national facilities or industrial partners, providing opportunities to work with researchers beyond Leeds and to experience different research environments.
Where appropriate, students may also carry out measurements at large-scale facilities or spend time with collaborating groups.
Publishing your research
An important part of research training is learning how to communicate new scientific results. Students normally contribute to research papers during their PhD and are encouraged to take an active role in preparing manuscripts, presenting results and responding to scientific discussion and peer review.
The precise research outcomes vary between projects, but the objective is always to produce work that contributes genuinely new knowledge to the field.
Life after the PhD
A PhD in condensed matter physics provides training relevant to a wide range of careers. Our research develops skills in quantitative problem solving, computation, experimental methods, data analysis and scientific communication, alongside the ability to tackle complex problems independently.
Graduates may continue in academic research, move into research and development in industry, or apply their skills in areas such as scientific computing, advanced technology, engineering, data science and software development.
Talk to us
The best way to understand what a PhD project will be like is to speak to the people involved. If you are interested in one of our research areas or advertised projects, we encourage you to contact the relevant supervisor to discuss the science, the research environment and whether the project is a good fit for your interests.