The University of Manchester has several funded PhD positions available across all areas of theoretical and experimental quantum science and engineering. These projects are summarised below, with a formatted version available here:
https://tinyurl.com/UoMQuantum2526
Additional, competitively-funded, projects are also available. Interested students are recommended to contact prospective supervisors.
MEQuN: Microfluidic Enrichment of Quantum Nanotechnology [x2]
Supervisory team: Patrick Parkinson (P&A), Finn Box (P&A)
High-speed spectroscopy + machine learning to identify and isolate single colour-centres in nanodiamonds - addressing the material bottleneck for quantum technologies https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/fse-bicentenary-phd-mequn-microflu...
Two studentships available: Bicentenary (home/international, competitive) and Photon Science Institute (home/international, guaranteed)
Indicative start date: September 2026
AI-Guided Spintronics Measurements under Noise and Variability
Supervisory team: Main supervisor Dr I Vera-Marun, Co-supervisor Dr Chris Anderson
This project seeks to transform experimental practice in spintronics by embedding artificial intelligence directly into the quantum transport measurement process. https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/ai-guided-spintronics-measurements...
This is a fully funded AI UKRI CDT 4 year program; Home tuition fees will be provided, along with a tax-free stipend (subject to individual circumstances), set at the UKRI rate (e.g. £20,780 for 2025/26).
Indicative start date: September 2026.
Turning on and off quantum switches using optical control in molecular spin qubits
Supervisory team: Dr Alice Bowen, Prof. Eric McInnes, Prof. Richard Winpenny
This PhD project proposes the use of optically excited chromophores to be used as optical switches to be combined with electron spin bearing molecules as the qubits, measurements will be taken using Electron Spin Resonance Methodologies. [FSE Bicentenary PhD] Turning on and off quantum switches using optical control in molecular spin qubits at The University of Manchester on FindAPhD.com
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
Indicative start date: September 2026
Complex structure in quantum dynamics (theory)
Supervisory team: Thomas Elliott
Quantum systems exhibit rich complexity and structure in their states and dynamics; this project will explore this structure, to understand how we can characterise and quantify it, and moreover, leverage it for beneficial uses.
https://tinyurl.com/UoMTJEPhD
Home fees-eligible only. Other competitively-awarded routes possible for international fees.
Indicative start date: Sept/Oct 2026
Quantum environmental engineering and coherent control from first principles
Supervisory team: Ahsan Nazir (Physics) & Joseph Prentice (Materials) https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/fse-bicentenary-phd-quantum-enviro...
Both home and international students eligible
Indicative start date: September/October 2026
EPSRC-Manchester-Cambridge Centre for Doctoral Training ‘2D Materials of Tomorrow’
Studentships for projects aimed at developing new materials for quantum technologies are available for home students in EPSRC-Manchester-Cambridge Centre for Doctoral Training ‘2D Materials of Tomorrow’ (start date in September 2026). More information about this CDT, its research missions and team, and admission process can be found on https://www.2d-materials-cdt.manchester.ac.uk/
Quantum Algorithms for Computational Fluid Dynamics
Supervisory team: Peter Brearly, Alessandro De Rosis, Alistair Revell
This project involves the adaptation of classical CFD algorithms, which are typically both non-linear and non-unitary, into a linear, unitary and probabilistic framework required for quantum computation. The project will incorporate theoretical algorithm design and implementation on quantum simulators as well as real quantum computers, with a particular focus on extracting utility from the noisy, imperfect devices that are available for the near-term. https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/quantum-algorithms-for-computation...
Home fees eligible only
Developing tabletop levitating quantum sensors to detect dark matter and other fundamental interactions
Supervisory team: Prof Darren Price, Dr Jayadev Vijayan
Developing new prototype dark matter detectors with optomechanical levitated quantum sensors. https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/fse-bicentenary-phd-developing-tab...
International fees eligible
Start: Sept 2026
Quantum-enhanced levitated mechanical sensors
Supervisory team: Jayadev Vijayan (EEE)
This PhD project aims to leverage quantum and many-body resources in levitated optomechanics to deliver proof-of-concept quantum acceleration sensors. https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/quantum-enhanced-levitated-mechani...
International fees eligible
Indicative start date: October 2026
Exploring the Quantum Universe: PhD Opportunities in Quantum Technologies for Fundamental Physics Supervisory team: Prof. Silke Weinfurtner (Primary Supervisor), Gravity Laboratory [gravitylaboratory.com] (Contact Email: QSimFP@gmail.com) The group develops synthetic quantum systems — laboratory setups that mimic phenomena from high-energy physics and gravity. These quantum simulators let us study how quantum fields behave near black holes and in the early universe, recreating processes of particle creation in curved spacetime that are otherwise impossible to observe directly. Depending on your background and interests, projects can emphasize experiment, theory, or a mix of both — but all involve a strong hands-on component within the collaborative Gravity Laboratory team. https://inspirehep.net/jobs/3075444 [inspirehep.net]
Fully funded PhD scholarships available for both Home and International students.
Indicative start date: 1 October 2025 (earliest start date)
Measurement of quantum-enhanced atomic tritium scattering cross sections to study the mass of the neutrino
Supervisory team: Ben Jones (80%) and Roxanne Guenette (20%)
The cross section for atomic T-T collisions is predicted to be strongly enhanced by the quantum effects of a near-threshold triplet bound state, but this process has never been measured; the project will involve the development of new methods to prepare cold tritium atomic beams at high fluxes to measure it, providing a crucial step toward for future neutrino mass experiments.
Home or international fees eligible
Indicative start date: Autumn 2025 (flexible)
A chemical quantum memory based on single molecule fluorescent readout of hyperfine qubits
Supervisory team: Ben Jones (40%), Ashok Keerthi (50%), Alice Bowen (10%)
Nuclear spins represent exquisite qubits due to their strong isolation from the environment, but their manipulation and readout is challenging for the same reason; This project will advance new chemical techniques for nuclear state readout via organic synthesis of surface layers.
Home or international fees eligible
Indicative start date: Autumn 2025 (flexible)
Quantum sensing of single ion spins via optically detected magnetic resonance
Supervisory team: Ben Jones (50%), Ashok Keerthi (25%), Alice Bowen (25%)
Readout of single nuclear spins via molecular fluorescence has been demonstrated only for a few systems, such as nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond and pentacene in p-Terphenyl; this project will prove the sensing of nuclear spins through development of novel techniques optically detected magnetic resonance techniques at self-assembled molecular layers.
Home or international fees eligible
Indicative start date: Autumn 2025 (flexible)
