School of Physical Sciences at The Open University
Based in Milton Keynes
The School of Physical Sciences offers four full-time, fully funded PhD studentships available to start in October 2024.
UKSA studentship:
PS1. Preparing for Mars sample return – oxygen isotope analysis of Martian meteorites
(This is a 4-year studentship funded by UKSA. The application deadline for this studentship only is 15th March 2024, with the interviews taking place between 26-28th March. This studentship is available to both UK-based and international students.)
STFC CASE studentships:
SI1. Radiation damage in detectors: what really happens to silicon imaging detectors in orbit?
(Both SI1 and SI4 are 3.5-year CASE studentships funded by STFC, open to UK-based and international students, with an extended placement at the industrial partner and being co-supervised by industrial supervisors.)
A2. Spotting Ice! (SPICE): infrared light-field tracking of icy particles
(A2 is a 3.5-year CASE-Plus studentship funded by STFC with a potential for a 12-month placement at the industrial partner. It is open to UK-based and international students, with an extended weekly working at the industrial partner who is co-located in Milton Keynes and being co-supervised by industrial supervisors.)
How to apply
If you would like to apply then please read the guidance on applying for a PhD studentship here and e-mail the following to STEM-SPS-PHD@open.ac.uk by the application deadline 18th April 2024:
You do not need to submit a research proposal, as it is already defined by us. You are encouraged to contact the lead supervisor of the project(s) for any informal enquiries.
Interviews will take place remotely in the week beginning on 22nd April 2024.
Funding and Eligibility
Unless stated otherwise, the studentships are funded for 3 years and 6 months, attract a stipend of £18,622 per year (2023/24 rate) directly payable to the student, and cover the home-student University fees.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must meet the UKRI academic requirements. We normally require that the candidates have at least a 2:1 at UK BSc or MSc level, but some projects may differ – please check the project description or confirm with the main supervisor of the project you are interested in.
Advice and Guidance
Please contact STEM-SPS-PHD@open.ac.uk with any questions about general administration, eligibility, suitability, funding or the nature of the PhD research. Our PhD administrators Debbie Briggs/Charlotte Coakley and postgraduate research tutor Konstantin Stefanov will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
If you have questions about specific projects, please contact the lead supervisor named on the project.
We are committed to widening participation and awarding PhD studentships to a diverse community of applicants. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups. Equal Opportunity is University policy.