PhD Studentship - Exploring Competing Interactions in Disordered Quantum Magnets

Application deadline: All year round

Positions: 1

This 3.5 year PhD is fully funded; tuition fees will be paid and the successful candidate will receive an annual tax free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25). We expect this to increase each year. This position is for UK applicants only.

The advert will be removed once the position has been filled.

Applications are invited for a PhD opportunity in condensed matter physics at the University of Manchester. This is an exciting opportunity to explore exotic phases of matter driven by the complex interplay of spin, orbital, and lattice degrees of freedom in crystalline solids. These interactions drive phenomena ranging from quantum-entangled states to topologically non-trivial magnetic order, which are both of fundamental scientific interest and hold great promise for future quantum technologies.

In interacting spin systems, the presence of geometric frustration and anisotropic interactions are known to enhance quantum fluctuations leading to the formation of long-range entanglement and quantum spin liquid states. The introduction of geometric (lattice) disorder, in the form of magnetic vacancies or bond variation, presents another route towards exotic phenomena, such as quantum criticality, many-body localisation, and percolating clusters which carry a fractal dimensionality. The interplay between geometric frustration, anisotropy and disorder remains poorly understood.

This project will investigate how competing interactions in disordered magnets gives rise to new phases of matter, with entanglement over different length scales. The successful candidate will achieve this by combining both theoretical modelling using analytical and numerical tools, with neutron scattering measurements conducted at large-scale facilities. There is significant scope for project methodologies to be tailored to the interests of the candidate – including a pure theory or combined theory/neutron scattering focus.

The successful applicant will:

1. Develop advanced theoretical tools to study magnetic systems with complex interactions.
2. Have the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge inelastic neutron scattering measurements at large-scale facilities such as ISIS Neutron and Muon Source (UK) and Institut Laue-Langevin (France).
3. Take part in the development of software to analyse and model neutron scattering data.

The project offers unique opportunities to acquire expertise in modelling interacting spin systems, neutron scattering and advanced data analysis.

This position will be based at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, the site of world leading institutions such as the Central Laser Facility, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source and Diamond Light Source. The campus is located less than thirty minutes from Oxford, with convenient transport links to London. This location will allow the successful candidate to develop close ties with major UK research facilities such as Diamond Light Source and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, whilst benefiting from connections within the University of Manchester. The possibility of hybrid working with the candidate based primarily in Manchester will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a Physics or a related discipline.

To apply, please contact Dr. Harry Lane - harry.lane@manchester.ac.uk, please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

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