Key Information
Funding provider: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Subject areas: Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science
Project start date: 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September)
Supervisors:
Joint first supervisors:
Dr James Ryan (J.W.Ryan@swansea.ac.uk)
Dr Emrys Evans (emrys.evans@swansea.ac.uk)
Aligned programme of study: PhD in Chemistry
Mode of study: Full-time
Project description:
The electron spin properties of ground and excited state levels in molecular semiconductors dictate the photophysics in optoelectronic and photonic technologies. By developing new materials based on open-shell organic radicals that operate outside the established photophysics of standard (closed-shell) materials, we aim to to push the boundaries of spin, optical and magnetic properties that could improve current technologies and enable new opportunities (Nature Materials 2020, Nature Communications 2022, Nature 2023). In a recent breakthrough, we demonstrated that organic radicals can initiate excited states for photon upconversion using multi-electron coupled states that exploit new energy and spin management mechanisms (ChemRxiv 2024). In this PhD project you will establish molecular structure-function relationships from magnetic and photophysical characterization of novel spin-optical phenomena related to energy upconversion in molecular semiconductors, as well demonstrating exploitation in working photonic and optoelectronic devices.
This project is hosted by and use the full facilities of the new Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM) – Swansea University’s flagship £55M facility for advanced semiconductor research and development. This is an outstanding opportunity for a chemistry, physics or materials science graduate to be part of the semiconductor for net zero revolution.
This studentship will also be part of an exciting new Doctoral Training Initiative called UK Semiconductor Industry Future Skills or UK-SIFS for short. UK-SIFS will create a vibrant, multi-disciplinary cohort experience for all our students and provide highly practical training of substantial value to those interested in careers in the semiconductor and related sectors such as optoelectronics and clean energy. You will also have a chance to work with a large range of industrial partners, who will not only deliver training content but also co-supervise research and host secondments. We would particularly welcome appropriately qualified applicants with experience from other industry sectors looking to embark on a new career journey in semiconductors. If you want to undertake cutting edge research in world class facilities closely linked to the rapidly expanding UK semiconductor sector, then UK-SIFS and this PhD project is your opportunity.
Eligibility
Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Chemistry or a related subject, or a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ in chemistry or a related subject (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). See – Country-specific Information for EU and International Candidates.
English Language
IELTS 6.0 Overall (with no individual component below 5.5) 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
Scholarship open to UK and international fee eligible applicants
UK Students: This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2024/25).
International: This scholarship will cover the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend if the applicant is successful in being offered a SUIPRES Scholarship as outlined below.
Swansea University is pleased to offer the Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES). This is a competitively awarded Scholarship open to overseas PhD and Professional Doctorate applicants eligible for the international rate of tuition fees who can demonstrate excellence in academic achievement.
The SUIPRES Scholarship covers the difference between the International and the Home tuition fee for the duration of the PhD/Professional Doctorate programme. Successful candidates will be charged fees aligned to the UK rate per year. The scholarship will be offset against your tuition fee liability.
All International applications will be considered for a SUIPRES Scholarship. You will be informed whether a SUIPRES Scholarship will be offered within your offer letter.
Additional expenses: £3000 per annum from Research Training Support Grant
How to Apply
To apply, please complete your application online with the following information
- Course choice – please select as per preferred mode of study, either:
(Full Time) Chemistry / 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 ‘RS787 – Spin’
*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 reference (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 James Ryan J.W.Ryan@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.
