PhD Studentship: High Light Yield Perovskite Scintillators for Nuclear Security Gamma Applications University of Surrey in United Kingdom

[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.