Theoretical Physics: Fully Funded STFC and Swansea University PhD Scholarship: Chern Simons Theory and Integrability

Funding providers: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering

Subject areas: Theoretical physics, Mathematical Physics, Quantum Field Theory, String Theory

Project start date:  

• 1 October 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Project supervisors: 

• Professor Daniel C. Thompson (d.c.thompson@swansea.ac.uk)
• Professor Tim Hollowood

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Physics

Mode of study: Full-time or part-time

Project description: 

Normally the equations that determine physical systems, be it quantum field theory describing particle physics, or string theory describing quantum gravity, are too hard to solve exactly. However there are very special systems that have deep hidden symmetries that allow one to exactly solve these equations instead of using e.g. perturbation theory. The study of these integrable systems is a critical area in the intersection of mathematical and theoretical physics and string theory. The group at Swansea led by Hollowood and Thompson has been pivotal in the recent discoveries of a landscape of integrable models known as Integrable Deformations. Very recently a new outlook on this topic has been provided by six-dimensional holomorphic Chern Simons theory which has been conjectured to provide an origin for all such integrable deformations. The goal of this project is develop a detailed quantum understanding of this approach and to apply it in a range of contexts in including to resugrence, holography and string theory.   

Eligibility

Candidates must hold a UK bachelor’s degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours or overseas bachelor’s degree deemed equivalent to UK Bachelor (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours OR a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University - see country specific qualifications. 

Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only.

Funding Details

Additional Funding Information

This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25).

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 will also be available.

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