Current PhD Studentships

School of Physical Sciences at The Open University

Based in Milton Keynes

The School of Physical Sciences offers four full-time, fully funded PhD studentships available to start in October 2025. The projects available this year fall within the following research themes: Astronomy, Planetary and Space Science, Physics, Space Instrumentation, and Physics Education Research. 

P1. Spotting Ice! (SPICE): infrared light-field tracking of icy particles

(This is a 3.5-year CASE-Plus studentship funded by STFC, co-supervised by industrial supervisors, with the potential post-PhD submission for a 12-month working placement at the industrial partner. It is open to “home” and international students, is based in laboratories on the OU’s MK campus, and includes weekly day-release at the industrial partner who is co-located in Milton Keynes.)

 

We expect to recruit to 3 of the following projects:

 

P2. Tracking the fate of ocean carbon within the ice shells of icy moons

P3. Assessing the potential of resource extraction and utilisation of lunar and terrestrial materials through microwave processing

P4. Detectors and Science Implications for the Habitable Worlds Telescope 

P5. Simulating interstellar icy grains in the laboratory

P6. Ab initio studies of Interparticle Coulombic Electron Capture

P7. Mysteries of the sulfur cycle on Venus

P8. A new direction for conceptual assessment in physics 

 

How to apply

If you would like to apply then please read the guidance on applying for a PhD studentship here and e-mail the following to STEM-SPS-PHD@open.ac.uk by the application deadline 23rd January 2025 :

  • a completed Application form UK if you are classed as a home student, or Application form non-UK if you are an international student.
  • an up to date CV.
  • a list of individual courses taken and grades obtained.
  • a personal statement.
  • any other relevant information that you think may support your case for consideration.

You do not need to submit a research proposal, as it is already defined by us. You are encouraged to contact the lead supervisor of the project(s) for any informal enquiries.

Interviews will take place remotely on 5-7 February 2025. 

Funding and Eligibility

The studentships are funded for 3 years and 3 months with a possibility of an extension by 3 months. They attract a stipend of £19,237 per year (2024/25 rate), and cover the home-student University fees. The studentships also include a £1,000 research training support grant per year. 

To be eligible for funding, applicants must meet the UKRI academic requirements. We normally require that the candidates have at least a 2:1 at UK BSc or MSc level, but some projects may differ – please check the project description or confirm with the main supervisor of the project you are interested in. 

 Advice and Guidance

Please contact STEM-SPS-PHD@open.ac.uk with any questions about general administration, eligibility, suitability, funding or the nature of the PhD research. Our PhD administrators Debbie Briggs/Charlotte Coakley and postgraduate research tutor Richard Greenwood will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

If you have questions about specific projects, please contact the lead supervisor named on the project.

We are committed to widening participation and awarding PhD studentships to a diverse community of applicants. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups. Equal Opportunity is University policy.