A funded PhD studentship is available in the field of computational inorganic chemistry. The project will involve prediction of new thorium compounds for next-generation clock devices.
The thorium-229 isotope has a nuclear excited state at 8.4 eV above the ground state that can be excited with a tabletop laser, as demonstrated for the first time in 2024 after a 50-year search. The transition holds great potential as a next-generation clock, outperforming atomic clocks by orders of magnitude. A major goal is development of a solid-state nuclear clock, where thorium-229 is present in a host crystal, which could be suitable for applications from millimetre-accurate GPS to earthquake prediction.
The performance of the clock device will be determined by the material used to make the crystal. In this project we will use electronic structure calculations guided by chemical understanding to discover new thorium compounds that could make good clocks. This will involve predicting structures, electronic properties, and optical spectra. This research area is highly interdisciplinary, and we anticipate opportunities to work closely with experimental and theoretical scientists from chemistry and physics. For relevant papers by our team, see: Physical Review Letters 133, 1, 013201 (2024); Nature 636, 8043, 603-608 (2024); Dalton Transactions 54, 10574-1058 (2025); Applied Physics Letters 126,11110 (2025).
Prior experience in computational chemistry is desirable but not necessary. This position is fully funded for UK home students.
Eligibility
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.
Funding
This 3.5 year project is fully funded. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax free stipend (depending on circumstance) set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26). We expect the stipend to increase each year. Tuition fees will also be paid. Home students are eligible.
Before you apply
This project is based in the recently established Morgan lab at the University of Manchester. We strongly recommend that you contact Dr Morgan (harry.morgan@manchester.ac.uk) before you apply. 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.
How to apply
Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425
When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.
Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:
If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).
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