Masters Compare - Find your perfect masters course.
Masters Compare - Find your perfect masters course.
Deadline: 14 February 2027
South West, All England
In this fully funded PhD project commencing in October 2027, you will combine scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) with quantum optics to investigate the ultrafast dynamics of individual molecules. The project forms part of LUMIN, an ambitious research programme supported by a European Research Council (ERC) grant.
When a molecule is excited by an STM, it can emit light or undergo a chemical reaction. The electronic states and ultrafast processes connecting light emission to molecular dynamics remain poorly understood. Your challenge will be to develop new optical techniques to investigate these processes and understand how energy deposited into a molecule determines what happens next.
You will combine STM-induced light emission with time-resolved photon correlation measurements to investigate individual molecular emitters. Using advanced single-photon detectors, you will explore how the timing and statistics of emitted photons reveal the evolution of electronic excitations. You will also develop quantum-optical approaches based on Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometry and entangled photons to investigate molecular excited states beyond the timing limits of conventional photon detection.
A key part of the project will involve designing and fabricating specialised photonic crystal fibres to generate heralded single photons and entangled photon pairs. You will integrate these sources with an STM to explore how quantum light can provide new ways to probe molecular excitations and potentially influence their dynamics. This project brings together experimental nanoscience, quantum photonics, optical engineering and advanced data analysis.
Supervised by Dr Kristina Rusimova, you will join an established research team at the University of Bath, working within the Centre for Photonics. You will work alongside experienced PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in a collaborative environment that values training, personal development and scientific independence. You will be encouraged to contribute ideas, participate throughout the research process and explore opportunities in outreach and career development.
We welcome applicants with a background in physics, photonics, quantum technologies, optical engineering or a related discipline. Experience in optical experiments, programming, instrumentation or fibre optics would be advantageous, but is not essential. Above all, we are looking for curiosity, initiative and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary experimental research. There may be some flexibility with the starting date, so please give details of your preferred start date in your application.
References:
P.J. Keenan et al. Measuring competing outcomes of a single-molecule reaction reveals classical Arrhenius chemical kinetics. Nat Commun 15, 10322 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54677-1
A. Lyons, et al. Fluorescence lifetime Hong-Ou-Mandel sensing. Nat Commun 14, 8005 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43868-x
K. R. Rusimova et al. Regulating the femtosecond excited-state lifetime of a single molecule. Science361,1012-1016(2018). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aat9688
C. McGarry, et al. Microstructure optical fibres for quantum applications: Perspective, APL Quantum 1, 030901 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0211055
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second Class UK Honours degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant subject. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.
Non-UK applicants must meet the programme’s English language requirement by the application deadline.
Candidates may be considered for a University of Bath studentship tenable for 4 years. Funding covers tuition fees, a stipend (£21,805 p/a in 2026/7) and access to a generous research budget.
This studentship is open to those that qualify for 'Home' fees only. You will likely need to hold UK or Irish citizenship, EU (Pre-)Settled status in the UK, or another form of indefinite leave to be eligible for Home fees. Additional information may be found on our fee status guidance webpage, on the GOV.UK website and on the UKCISA website.
Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Dr Kristina Rusimova, [email protected].
Formal applications should be submitted via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Physics prior to the closing date of this advert.
IMPORTANT:
When completing the application form:
Failure to complete these two steps will cause delays in processing your application and may cause you to miss the deadline.
More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.
PLEASE BE AWARE: Applications for this project may close earlier than the advertised deadline if a suitable candidate is found. We therefore recommend that you contact the lead supervisor prior to applying and submit your formal application as early as possible.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.
If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.
Home students only.
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