[Fully and directly funded for this project only. UKRI standard stipend for 48 months - £20,780 for 2025/26 academic year. Funding is for 48 months.] The University of Surrey invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship focused on the development of high light yield perovskite scintillators for nuclear security gamma applications. This project is part of a cutting-edge research initiative in the Physics Department, leveraging the recent advances made by the Surrey team in perovskite scintillator materials. These materials offer a unique combination of high scintillation light yield, high material density, excellent optical transparency due to a large Stoke’s shift, and fast response times, making them highly promising for gamma detection in nuclear security. The successful candidate will work on developing prototype perovskite scintillator gamma detectors using materials grown at Surrey. The research will involve innovating new growth methods for high light yield perovskite scintillators, studying the morphology and crystalline quality of perovskite crystals with advanced single crystal X-ray diffraction, and characterizing their optical performance through photoluminescence spectroscopy and decay time measurements. Additionally, the project includes investigating the radiation response of these scintillators to X-rays and gamma rays using radioisotopes and X-ray generators. This is a highly multidisciplinary project, offering access to state-of-the-art material characterization facilities in Chemistry and Materials Science, including Photoluminescence, Raman, Dynamic Light Scattering, SEM/TEM, and XRD. The Physics Department provides all necessary equipment for radiation-based characterization, such as X-ray luminescence and radioisotope gamma irradiation setups. The studentship is fully funded for 48 months, with a UKRI standard stipend of £20,780 for the 2025/26 academic year. The position is open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. Applicants must meet the University of Surrey’s PhD entry requirements, typically including a strong honours degree in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field. English language requirements apply for non-native speakers. The project is scheduled to start in April 2026, with flexibility for later start dates upon discussion with the lead supervisor. Supervision will be provided by Professor Paul Sellin, Professor Carol Crean, and Dr Ian Riddlestone, offering expertise across physics, materials science, and chemistry. For further information or to discuss the project, candidates are encouraged to contact Professor Paul Sellin. Applications should be submitted via the University of Surrey Physics PhD programme page. Instead of a research proposal, applicants should upload a document stating the project title and the name of the relevant supervisor. This studentship provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to the advancement of next-generation scintillator materials with significant impact on nuclear security technologies, while gaining multidisciplinary research experience in a leading UK institution.

[UKRI standard stipend for 48 months (£20,780 for 2025/26 academic year), full funding for tuition and stipend for UK/home rate candidates.] This fully funded PhD studentship at the University of Surrey offers an exciting opportunity to work on the development of high light yield perovskite scintillators for nuclear security gamma applications. The project builds on recent advances by the Surrey team in perovskite scintillator materials, which demonstrate high scintillation light yield, material density, optical transparency, and fast response times. The research aims to fabricate and characterise prototype gamma detectors using perovskite materials grown at Surrey, leveraging their unique properties such as solution processability, tuneable radioluminescence, and large Stoke’s shifts. Key objectives include developing new growth methods for perovskite scintillators, studying crystal morphology and quality using single crystal X-ray diffraction, investigating optical performance through photoluminescence spectroscopy and decay time measurements, and assessing radiation response to X-rays and gamma rays. The project is highly multidisciplinary, integrating expertise and facilities from Physics, Chemistry, and Materials Science. Students will have access to advanced characterisation tools including Photoluminescence, Raman, Dynamic Light Scattering, SEM/TEM, and XRD, as well as equipment for radiation-based material analysis. Supervision is provided by Professor Paul Sellin, Professor Carol Crean, and Dr Ian Riddlestone, ensuring strong academic support and guidance. The studentship is open to candidates eligible for UK/home rate fees, with a start date in April 2026 (later start dates possible upon discussion). Applicants must meet the University of Surrey’s PhD entry requirements, typically including a strong undergraduate degree in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field, and demonstrate interest in experimental research and material characterisation. Funding is fully provided for this project, with a UKRI standard stipend of £20,780 for the 2025/26 academic year, covering both tuition and living expenses for 48 months. Applications should be submitted via the Physics PhD programme page, with a document stating the project title and supervisor’s name in place of a research proposal. For further information or to discuss alternative start dates, candidates are encouraged to contact Professor Paul Sellin. This studentship is ideal for those seeking to advance their expertise in cutting-edge materials research with direct applications in nuclear security and radiation detection, within a collaborative and well-equipped academic environment.