A funded PhD position is available on the theory and simulation of ferroic materials, under the supervision of Dr Nicholas Bristowe at Durham University, UK. 

Symmetry breaking in materials often produces emergent physical behaviour. Common examples include time-reversal symmetry breaking in (ferro)magnetics and spatial-inversion symmetry breaking in ferroelectrics, but there exists a plethora of other types. ABX3 perovskites are sometimes used as a prototypical example of these materials, since they can undergo various kinds of electronic, atomic and spin orderings that break symmetry in different ways and induce new types of properties, often with potential for technological applications such as in memory elements or energy storage. This project will study these types of materials using a variety of computational and theoretical tools, including density functional theory (DFT). Several projects are available within this theme, including:

- Anti-ferroelectrics (AFEs): Due to the shape of their double hysteresis loop, AFEs have potential for energy storage but they are relatively rare and understudied. This project aims to provide new fundamental perspectives towards the design of new AFEs with enhanced properties.

- Dynamics and excitations of ferroics: This project will build “second principles” based atomic potentials, from DFT, in order to study phase transitions, thermal properties (such as negative thermal expansion), and topological objects (e.g. domain walls, vortices and skyrmions) in ferroics. 

- Complex oxide interfaces: Interfaces between or within materials can induce emergent phenomena not observed in the bulk, such as 2DEGs, hidden magnetic order, multiferroic behaviour, electric-field reversal of exchange bias, to name a few.

This PhD Studentship is due to start in October 2021. 

Entry requirements and Funding: Applicants should have or expect to obtain a first-class honours degree or upper second-class integrated Masters (or equivalent) in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or a related subject. The studentship will be offered at the standard UK Research Councils’ rate (currently £15,285; to cover living costs) and will additionally cover tuition fees at the Home/Islands rate only (currently £4,407 per annum) and may involve undertaking teaching/demonstrating duties during the period of study.

Applying for the Position: The closing date for applications is Friday 30 April 2021, but applications will be reviewed as they are received. The start date is October 2021, but there is flexibility to start later.

Applications are particularly welcome from people in under-represented groups in STEM including female and black and ethnic minority candidates.

For further information or informal enquiries, please contact Dr Bristowe ([email protected]), or the Senior Postgraduate Research Administrator ([email protected]).

Dr Bristowe’s group page: https://www.dur.ac.uk/research/directory/staff/?mode=staff&id=19439

To apply please go to Department of Physics : How to apply - Durham University https://www.dur.ac.uk/physics/postgraduate/prospectivestudents/and please note that you will be expected to provide personal details, education and employment history and supporting documentation (Curriculum Vitae, transcript of results, two academic references).

Applications can be made immediately and interviews will be held until the studentship is filled.

About the University: Durham University, founded in 1832, is the third oldest English University. It is in the Top 100 Universities in the world as ranked by Times Higher Education and QS, and the Department of Physics (https://www.dur.ac.uk/physics) is currently ranked 4th in the UK Complete University Guide. Materials Physics is one of the largest, most diverse and dynamic fields in modern physics, encompassing all aspects of the solid and liquid states of matter. This breadth is reflected in the research undertaken at Durham which spans a wide range of subjects from light emitting polymers and solar cell materials to nanoscale magnetics. Our work aims to push forward the forefront of our understanding in the physics of materials using experiment, theory and computation - Centre for Materials Physics (https://www.dur.ac.uk/cmp).