A PhD studentship (3.5 years) is available from September 2025. There are 8 projects for applicants to choose from: x1 Neuroscience, x4 Biology, x1 Biochemistry, x2 Chemistry).
The chemistry and physics of atoms and molecules is governed by the laws of quantum mechanics. The solution of the Schrödinger equation, without the conventional separation of electronic and nuclear motion, makes it possible to approach the non-relativistic limit arbitrarily close. However, due to the exponential growth of dimension with number of degrees of freedom, all-particle treatments (where electrons and nuclei are treated on an equal footing) are limited to few particle systems. As with conventional quantum chemistry methods, the Schrödinger equation is usually solved as a generalized eigenvalue problem in matrix form, and the size of the matrices involved increases rapidly with basis set and system size. This results in calculations becoming increasingly complex and computationally demanding. Therefore, a key challenge in theoretical chemical physics is the development of more efficient computational approaches and techniques. Tensors are multidimensional generalizations of matrices. Recently we established the power of numerical tensor methods in quantum chemistry by demonstrating that we can collapse computational costs without compromising accuracy for all-particle three-body systems. This project will build on these initial findings to derive new quantum methods capable of solving the many-particle Schrödinger equation for quantum chemical physics systems with very high accuracy and at low computational cost.
Course: Chemistry PhD : University of Sussex
Supervisors: Prof Hazel Cox & Dr John Turner
Contact: h.cox@sussex.ac.uk
Deadline: 25 June 2025 23:45
Funding:
This School-funded position covers Home (UK) tuition fees and a stipend at standard UKRI rates for 3.5 years. Applicants with overseas fee status need to provide evidence of how they will fund the difference between Home and International tuition fees (approx. £20k per year).
How to apply:
Please submit a formal application via the Postgraduate application system attaching a CV, degree transcripts and certificates, and two academic referees. A research proposal is not required. Instead, please upload a personal statement describing your skills and experience, motivation for Doctoral Research, future goals, and why you are applying to this project.
On the application system, please select ‘funding obtained’ and complete the text boxes with “as stated in the advert”. Please state the supervisor’s name where required. If you apply to more than one project in the same course, please upload a personal statement for each project and list all supervisors.
Candidates should have or expect to obtain a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree. An MSc degree will be advantageous. You may also be considered for the position if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Candidates for whom English is not their first language will require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall or equivalent proficiency - English language requirements
Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates with protected characteristics – e.g., from Black and other ethnic minorities who are under-represented in postgraduate research at our institution.
