Photo: PhD student David Crosby
Are you considering undertaking a PhD following your undergraduate degree? The School of Physics and Astronomy has research opportunities in astronomy, condensed matter, nuclear physics, particle physics experiment & particle physics theory.
The School also offers CDT (Centre for Doctoral Training) opportunities with partner institutions. These entail an additional year which centre around the development of technical and transferrable skills, which may include the completion of teaching courses, industrial placements, attendance at workshops and participation in outreach activities.
David Crosby graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2016 with an MPhys in Physics and is currently in year 3 of a SOFI CDT degree.
“During my degree I realised I wanted to pursue a career in research but wanted to focus on industrial relevant projects, so I applied for the SOFI (Soft Matter and Functional Interfaces) CDT training program.”
This multi-disciplinary CDT is a collaboration between the universities of Durham, Leeds and Edinburgh, and provides training in both academic and industrial-relevant soft matter research. Soft matter being the scientific term for anything squishy – this covers a vast range of materials such as foods, pharmaceuticals and paints.
“Being able to visit and work with different industries as well as gaining an understanding and appreciation for the different expertise and skills needed to solve real world soft matter problems is extremely beneficial.”
“After spending time in Durham and Leeds I am now back at Edinburgh working with Dr Tiffany Wood on characterising the structure and rheology of topical formulations, sponsored by GSK. The main focus of my project is to characterise the structure and rheology of skin creams as they are being applied to a substrate (i.e. skin).”
The School is currently a partner in two new CDTs: Soft Matter for Formulation and Industrial Innovation, and Mathematical Modelling, Analysis and Computation.
