Postgraduate Opportunities
Dr. Geetha Balakrishnan
Postgraduate Admissions Tutor
G.Balakrishnan@warwick.ac.uk
Why do a PhD ?
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Einstein’s reason: “I have no special talents. I
am only passionately curious” – because you are
interested in science, enjoy the thrill of
researching and the challenge it offers.
The “Career” reason – you want a career in a
scientific discipline and you consider that a
doctorate is a necessary or advantageous
qualification.
The “Student” reason – you still enjoy being at
University in an academic learning environment.
The “Default” reason – you can’t think of
anything better to do!
Why do a PhD ?
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A PhD programme usually lasts a minimum of
three years, your funding is now (mostly)
guaranteed for 3.5 years (4 years in some
cases). At the outset, it is best to think of it
as a commitment to a 3-3.5 year programme
of study.
It is important to choose both a project and a
supervisor of your liking, but equally
important to keep an open mind at the
choosing stage.
Sources of Funding
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Research Councils:
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences
Research Council)
 STFC (Science and Technology Facilities
Council)
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Scholarships
 Industry
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Sources of Funding
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Most students in Experimental Condensed
Matter Physics, Theory Group and Medical
Physics are funded by the Engineering and
Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
EPSRC funding comes either through the
Departmental Doctoral Training Account
(DTA) or directly as a Project Studentship.
When an academic has a Project Studentship
to offer, then he/she has guaranteed funds
for the project (between 3 and 4 years
depending on the project).
Sources of Funding
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The DTA is shared out over the academics in
the Department and we have to “compete”
for the studentships. Last year, the DTA
funded 9 students, who were spread around
the different groups. (We do not yet know
how many we will have this year but we
expect to be awarded a similar number).
The stipend for 2009-10 is £13,290. Your fees
are paid for you.
Sources of Funding
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Most students in Astrophysics, Astronomy and
Particle Physics are funded by the Science and
Technology Facilities Council (STFC). There are
a fixed number of studentships to offer.
Either EPSRC or STFC studentships can also be
CASE awards with a participating industry or
other body. This will usually (but not always)
increase your stipend and will give you an
additional supervisor/contact outside the
University.
Qualifications
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To qualify for an EPSRC or STFC grant and to
go on to the PhD Programme in this
Department, you should hold a 1st or 2(i)
MPhys degree or a 1st Class BSc degree.
[Students with a 2(ii) MPhys degree or a 2(i)
BSc degree can qualify for the grants and
obtain places, but will be considered second to
more highly-qualified students.]
However, qualifications will be considered
together with aptitude, suitability and
enthusiasm for the research opportunities
available in the Department.
What about an MSc ?
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MSc by research is 1 year full-time or 2 years
part-time.
Usually, there is no funding available for MSc, so
students self-fund.
MSc students make up a small percentage of our
annual PG intake of (2 or 3 out of ~40)
The annual full-time fee is £3330 and you will
need to find living costs on top. The part-time
fee is £1650 per year for each of the two years
and is a good option for many students.
What about an MSc ?
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Why do an MSc ?
(a) interested in research but not ready to
commit to a 3-4 year PhD Programme;
(c) seeking a post-graduate qualification to
recompense for not doing the 4-year degree.
(b) interested in research but did not achieve
highly-enough in first degree *
Overseas PhD/MSc Students
Need to find their own source of
funding
 Fees are £13,350 full time and £8010
part time
 Scholarships are available but limited
number of awards
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To Stay or not to Stay?
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Warwick has a first-class research Department
(RAE 5). The researchers here are all leaders in
their fields, so why go elsewhere ?
Friendly, accommodating Department,
dedicated to the well-being and first-class
training of its Research Students.
BUT, perhaps we don’t cater for a research area
you are passionately interested in or perhaps
you consider that broadening your experience
would be a good idea. If so, then certainly apply
elsewhere too.
To Stay or not to Stay?
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In general, it is not a disadvantage to stay on
in the same University for a PhD – it’s a
common thing to do. It’s a matter of personal
choice and opportunities available whether
you move or not.
It would be wise for all of you also to
consider other places even if Warwick is your
top choice.
Applications Procedure #1
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Fill in and submit an on-line application
form.
http://go.warwick.ac.uk/pgapply
This puts you “in the system.” To be
considered in the First Round, submit the
form by January 12th 2009.
You will need two academic referees who
will vouch for your ability to do research –
go and talk to these people now! You must
submit these references to PG Admissions
yourself.
Filling in the form – FAQ’s
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(a)
(b)
(c)
13. ACADEMIC INTERESTS AND PURPOSE OF STUDY:
I am generally interested in the field of Experimental
Condensed Matter Physics. After looking at the
website/since doing my final-year project, I am interested in
working in the Semiconductor/ Surfaces
/Materials/Superconductivity Groups
I am generally interested in Theory group/Astro group/Particle
Physics/Medical Physics/Experimental Condensed Matter and would
like to be considered for any of the projects offered by this group.
I specifically want to apply for the project offered by Dr Bloggs
entitled “Bla bla bla” because this matches my long-held interests in
Bla or I very much enjoyed my final-year project on a closely-related
subject. If this project is not available, I would also consider other
projects in related areas or specifically, Proj 2 from Dr. Bloggs 2 or
Proj 3 from Prof. Bloggs 3.
I am interested in pursuing a research career because….
NO RESEARCH PROPOSALS REQUIRED
Finance –FAQ
15. FINANCE: How would you finance
yourself at Warwick?
Self/Employer/Family/Scholarship
 Name of Scholarship EPSRC/STFC
 Have you obtained the Scholarship yet?
Yes/ No
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These are the usual answers for UK/EU
students for Physics PhD (in red).
MSc students are almost always Self Funding.
Applications Procedure #2
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After we receive the application forms for
Round 1 (before Jan 12th 2009), we will rank the
applicants and invite those we are interested in
seeing for interviews and visits to a range of
groups, including any specific groups mentioned
on the form. These interviews will take place
late January-February.
Applicants for Round 1 may be held over for
consideration in the next Round. If so, they will
NOT be interviewed immediately.
All Warwick applicants will normally be seen by
me (not necessarily interviewed) after I receive
their applications.
Applications Procedure #3
The Round 2 exercise for those applying after
January, will give rise to interviews in MarchApril 2009.
 If you are offered a PhD place, it will come
with guaranteed funding from a Research
Council (EPSRC or STFC).
 MSc places are usually self-funded. MSc
applications do not have a closing date.
(Note: Not all the projects available are
suitable for MSc. Please enquire before
applying)
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Applications Procedure #3
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No absolute deadlines for applications.
We will consider applications until all
places are filled.
Please come and talk to me if you
decide to apply late – do not assume
that it is too late!
Research Areas at Warwick
Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
 Astronomy and Astrophysics
 Fusion, Space and Plasma Physics
 Elementary Particle Physics
 Theoretical and Computational Physics
 Medical and Biological Physics
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Research Areas at Warwick
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Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
Surface and Interface Science
Semiconductors and SIMS
Glass ceramics
Microscopy
Superconductivity and Magnetism
X-ray Scattering
Magnetic Resonance Studies (NMR,EPR, Diamond)
Crystallography and Ferroelectrics
Ultrasonics
Research Areas at Warwick
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Experimental Condensed Matter
Physics
Drs. Balakrishnan, Bell, Brown, Cooper,
Dixon, Dowsett, Duffy, Dupree,
Edwards, Hase, Holland, Leadley, Lees,
McConville, Newton, Paul, Petrenko,
Robinson, Sloan, Smith, Thomas, A.
Wilson, N. Wilson, Woodruff.
Research Areas at Warwick
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Astronomy and Astrophysics
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Group headed by Prof. Tom Marsh
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Stars and planets, how they live and die, exotic
physical processes.
An observational group - use of a wide range of
ground-based telescopes :ESO's Very Large
Telescope (VLT) in Chile, the Isaac Newton Group
of telescopes (ING),Canary Islands, NASA's Chandra
and ESA's XMM-Newton X-ray observatories and the
Hubble Space Telescope .
Dr. Wheatley, Dr. Gaensicke, Dr. Levan, Dr. Steeghs
Research Areas at Warwick
Elementary Particle Physics
 Group headed by Prof. Paul Harrison
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Research into the fundamental particles of
matter and the forces by which they interact.
 Experiments: BaBar, COBRA, T2K
 Neutrino Factory Physics
Dr. Ramachers, Dr. Barker, Dr. Boyd and Dr.
Gershon
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Research Areas at Warwick
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Fusion, Space and Plasma Physics
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Group Headed by Prof. Sandra Chapman
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plasma physics applied to the grand challenges of
fusion power, space physics, solar physics, and
astrophysics - theory, observation, and the analysis
of experimental data, combined with high end
computing (HEC).
joint work with UKAEA Culham, as well as with space
plasma and solar observation missions.
Prof. Nakariakov, Dr. Hnat, Prof. Dendy, Dr. Arber,
Dr. Verwichte, Dr. Peeters, Dr. Gericke, Prof.
Rowlands.
Research Areas at Warwick
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Theoretical and Computational Physics
Ab-initio electronic Structure
• Molecular Simulations
• Quantum Transport and Dynamics
• Quantum Condensates
• Soft Condensed Matter
• Non-linearity and Self Organisation
Prof. Ball, Prof. Staunton, Prof. Allen, Dr.Turner,
Dr. d’Ambrumenil, Dr. Roemer, Dr. Somfai,
Dr. Szymanska, Dr. Nicodemi
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Studentships
EPSRC/STFC Project Studentships are
often available, some with start dates
mid year.
 Look out for these advertised on our
web pages.
 For more information please contact me
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Warwick Postgraduate Research
Scholarships
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Are you an outstanding student who is interested in
studying for a PhD at one of the UK’s top researchled universities?
Would you like to receive an attractive funding
package to support your studies?
For Entry in October 2009, Warwick Graduate School
is delighted to offer the Warwick Postgraduate
Research Scholarships, which include:
The payment of your academic fees (Home/EU rate)
A maintenance grant in line with the UK Research
Council standard stipend (£12,940 for full-time award
holders in 2008/2009)
further details and how to apply for the WPRS
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http://go.warwick.ac.uk/graduateschool/scholarships
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Research Centres
Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics
(CFSA)
 Interdisciplinary Research:
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Complexity Science Doctoral Training
Centre
 Centre for Scientific Computing
 Molecular Organisation and Assembly in
Cells (MOAC) Doctoral Training Centre
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Centre for Fusion, Space and
Astrophysics
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Up to 6 (STFC and EPSRC) PhD studentships
are available from October 2009 within the
Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics in
the Physics Department at Warwick.
Studentships in High End Computing (1year
MSc+3year PhD)
For information on research within the CFSA
see: http://www.warwick.ac.uk/go/cfsa/
Complexity Science Doctoral
Training Centre
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Our new Centre is devoted to developing the key mathematically and
statistically based skills to research these areas and address real world
applications.
Students should have mathematical and practical motivation, and
anticipate a good degree in a mathematically based subject.
Research students are offered an integrated 4 year training combining
PhD by research with supporting taught MSc courses. Research
themes include:
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Agent-based modelling
Networks and Emergent Behaviour
Self-Organisation and Assembly
Non-linear Dynamics
Spatio-temporal Complexity
Management & Bounding of Complexity
Application details:
http://go.warwick.ac.uk/complexity
email: complexity@warwick.ac.uk
Prof. Robin Ball
Research Centres
Centre for Scientific Computing
 Molecular Organisation and Assembly
in Cells (MOAC) Doctoral Training
Centre
 Please see academics from these Research
Centres on the concourse for further
information
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Warwick Physics is part of the Midland
Physics Alliance Graduate School (MPAGS).
Birmingham, Nottingham and Warwick
The Alliance is built on current high quality
research in each of our departments (all RAE
grade 5)
In 2007 the Departments received initial
funding of £4 million from HEFCE to develop
the graduate school over the next five years.
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The Midlands Physics Alliance Graduate
School (MPAGS) provides a step change in
the graduate experience for the 250-plus
research students in our three departments,
by offering a stimulating and thorough set of
taught modules initially covering the EPSRC
areas of our research. Teaching is provided
via the Access Grid, enabling course sharing
across the Alliance.
MPAGS Prize Studentships
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MPAGS offers a number of prestigious, fully-funded
PhD prize studentships. These will be awarded
competitively to attract extremely able physics
graduates from around the world into the Midlands
region.
Warwick expects to offer 2 fully funded studentships
for Oct 2009
http://www.mpags.ac.uk
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Director: Dr. David Leadley
E-Mail:
D.R.Leadley@warwick.ac.uk
Applications for MPAGS studentships
should be made through the normal
University route.
Research at Warwick
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Interested applicants should consult
our web pages:
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http://go.warwick.ac.uk/physics/research
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http://go.warwick.ac.uk/physics/postgraduate
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Also go through the list of projects on
offer in the different research areas under
“Project Opportunities”
Contacts
Dr. Peter Wheatley
Astronomy
Dr. Yorck Ramachers
Particle Physics
Dr. Bogdan Hnat
CFSA
Dr. Gavin Bell
Condensed Matter
Dr. Geetha Balakrishnan
Condensed Matter
Contacts
Dr. Geetha Balakrishnan
Postgraduate Admissions Tutor
Room 236, Physics
G.Balakrishnan@warwick.ac.uk
Tel: extn 73879 (024 76 573879)
Postgraduate Coordinator: Dr. Ben Parkinson
Room 533, Tel: extn 23396