Fully Funded ERC MSc by Research Scholarship at Swansea University

Fully Funded ERC MSc by Research Scholarship at Swansea University

Chemistry: Fully Funded ERC MSc by Research Scholarship: Controlling and Studying Rotational Quantum States of Molecules during Molecule-Surface Collisions

This scholarship is funded by Swansea University and the European Research Council (ERC).

Project Supervisors:

• Supervisor 1: Professor Gil Alexandrowicz, Department of Chemistry
• Supervisor 2: Dr Helen Chadwick, Department of Chemistry

Start date: October 2021

Project description:

The surface dynamics group in Swansea University is home to a unique molecular interferometry setup, capable of coherently controlling and measuring the rotational quantum states of a ground-state molecule as it collides with a surface. This is currently the only instrument world-wide which can perform such experiments, providing unique insight into the interaction of a molecule with a solid surface. This MSc project, which is part of our 5-year ERC consolidator research project “rotational waves”, will be aimed at performing quantum controlled collision experiments of hydrogen molecules with various metallic and insulating surfaces. The student will perform both the molecular beam measurements and the numerical simulation analysis of their results. The outcomes of this research project are expected to provide crucial benchmarks for checking the ability of state-of-the-art theoretical methods to model the interaction of molecules with surfaces.

The research activities are along the interface between physics and physical chemistry. Excellent applicants with degrees in either one of these disciplines are encouraged to apply. Depending on the progress of the research, and the availability of further funding, this MSc project could potentially be converted into a PhD research project.

Candidates must have a first or upper second class honours in Physics or Chemistry or closely related discipline.

Candidates must also have performed a research project during their undergraduate studies and be able to provide references from their project supervisor.

For candidates whose first language is not English, we require IELTS 6.5 (with 6.0 in each component) or equivalent. Please visit our website for a list of acceptable English language tests. We prefer candidates to have already met the English Language requirements at the point of application, although this is not a requirement.

This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.

This two-year scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and an annual stipend of £18,000.

Please visit our website for more information.