Key Information
Funding provider: EPSRC
Subject areas: Physics, Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Project start date: 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September)
Supervisors: Dr. Roland Gillen, Prof. Karol Kalna
Aligned programme of study: PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Mode of study: Full-time
Project description:
Thin-film layered materials composed of the group V elements materials (pnictogens) have attracted significant attention due to their outstanding electronic properties. At the same time, the comparatively strong interaction between bilayers of these materials offers interesting perspectives for materials design.
In this spirit, the successful applicant will use state-of-the-art atomistic simulation methods to study few-layer quasi-van-der-Waals heterostructures of antimony with other suitable layered materials, such as Indium Selenide, and assess their potential for applications in highly sensitive thin-film photodetectors or similar optoelectronic devices. The main focus will be exploring the possibility of using twist angle and/or mechanical homo- and heterostrain as tuning knobs for the electronic and optical properties of the heterojunction. Besides a sizeable band gap variation, the manipulation of the interlayer interaction might also lead to structural phase changes. A secondary focus will be put on the effect of structural defects on the electronic properties of the investigated heterojunctions.
While we will mainly use density functional theory (DFT) to achieve these goals, we will also exploit machine-learning techniques to train more approximate simulation methods with highly accurate reference DFT results. This will allow simulation of system sizes that are difficult to treat with fully ab initio theoretical approaches.
Due to the project nature, a base requirement for applicants is an interest in simulations of nanosystems using quantum-mechanical methods.
Ideally, applicants should have:
- prior experience with density functional theory or similar theoretical methods
- a basic knowledge of solid state physics
- Prior knowledge (or an interest to attain) of programming languages, such as Python or Julia
Eligibility
Scholarship open to UK and International fee eligible students
Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. See – Country-specific Information for European Applicants 2019 and Country-specific Information for International Applicants 2019.
EPSRC 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 rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements.
English Language
IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, 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 a scholarship course offer.
Funding
This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26).
Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.
How to Apply
To apply, please complete your application online with the following information.
- Course choice – please select:
(Full Time) Electronic and Electrical Engineering / 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 case, 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 ‘RS795 – Elec Eng’
*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.
Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.
As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):
- CV
- Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
- A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project
- Two references (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference
- Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable)
- Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
- Confirmation of EDI form submission
Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Roland Gillen roland.gillen@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.
