PhD Studentship: 4-year Theoretical Position in Laser-Matter Interactions

[Fully funded for 4 years; stipend and tuition fees covered for International and Home students.] The Physics and Astronomy Department at University College London (UCL) offers a fully funded 4-year PhD studentship in laser-matter interactions, focusing on ultrafast phenomena instigated by core electron motion in X-ray Free-Electron Lasers (XFEL)-driven molecules. UCL, established in 1826, is renowned for its world-leading research and high-quality teaching, and its Physics department is consistently ranked among the top globally. The successful candidate will join the group of Professor Agapi Emmanouilidou, working on a Leverhulme Trust-funded project that aims to advance theoretical and computational techniques for investigating coherent excitation, ionization, and photoionization time delays in multi-centre molecules driven by ultra-short XFEL pulses. The research will explore quantum-interference signatures on ionization spectra, photoionization time delays of inner-shell electrons, and the interplay of electron and nuclear dynamics during the break-up of XFEL-driven triatomic molecules. The project is at the scientific frontier, leveraging the remarkable advances in generating ultra-short XFEL pulses. The PhD student will develop advanced quantum-mechanical techniques and collaborate closely with leading experimental groups at Stanford and the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics. The ideal candidate should possess strong knowledge of quantum mechanics and mathematics, excellent analytical derivation skills, and a willingness to acquire computational skills. The position is open to both International and Home students, with full funding covering tuition fees and a stipend for four years. The start date is flexible, with positions available immediately or from 1st October 2026. To apply, interested candidates should click the 'Apply' button, which redirects to the UCL job site for detailed application instructions. The application deadline is 31 March 2026. This studentship offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in theoretical physics, molecular dynamics, and ultrafast laser-matter interactions within a vibrant academic community at UCL.