Current PhD Studentships

School of Physical Sciences at The Open University

Based in Milton Keynes

The School of Physical Sciences offers one STFC CASE-plus and one STFC CASE fully-funded PhD studentships available to start in February 2025. 

A2. Spotting Ice! (SPICE): infrared light-field tracking of icy particles

A2 is a 3.5-year CASE-plus studentship funded by STFC with a potential for a 12-month working placement at the industrial partner. It is open to UK-based and international students, with an extended weekly working at the industrial partner who is co-located in Milton Keynes and being co-supervised by industrial supervisors.

SI1. Radiation damage in detectors: what really happens to silicon imaging detectors in orbit?

SI1 is a 3.5-year CASE studentships funded by STFC, open to UK-based and international students, with an extended working placement at the industrial partner and being co-supervised by industrial supervisors.

How to apply

If you would like to apply then please read the guidance on applying for a PhD studentship here and e-mail the following to STEM-SPS-PHD@open.ac.uk by the application deadline 23^rd August 2024:

• a completed Application form UK if you are classed as a home student, or Application form non-UK if you are an international student.
• an up to date CV.
• a list of individual courses taken and grades obtained.
• a personal statement.
• any other relevant information that you think may support your case for consideration.

You do not need to submit a research proposal, as it is already defined by us. You are encouraged to contact the lead supervisor of the project(s) for any informal enquiries.

Interviews will take place remotely on 5^th-6^th September 2024. 

Funding and Eligibility

The studentships are funded for 3 years and 6 months, attract a stipend of £18,622 per year (2023/24 rate) plus a CASE uplift directly payable to the student, and cover the home-student University fees. The studentships also include a £1,000 research training support grant per year. 

To be eligible for funding, applicants must meet the UKRI academic requirements. We normally require that the candidates have at least a 2:1 at UK BSc or MSc level, but some projects may differ – please check the project description or confirm with the main supervisor of the project you are interested in. 

 Advice and Guidance

Please contact STEM-SPS-PHD@open.ac.uk with any questions about general administration, eligibility, suitability, funding or the nature of the PhD research. Our PhD administrators Debbie Briggs/Charlotte Coakley and postgraduate research tutor Konstantin Stefanov will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

If you have questions about specific projects, please contact the lead supervisor named on the project.

We are committed to widening participation and awarding PhD studentships to a diverse community of applicants. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups. Equal Opportunity is University policy.