FAQ - PhD in Particle Physics Experiment
Applying for a PhD is a big decision! Here are some questions that potential applicants often ask, along with our answers. We hope they help you with your application.
How do I apply?
Follow the procedure on the degree finder: https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/postgraduate-research/193-particle-physics This page will also give you lots of information about the programme and application requirements.
How many PhD students do you accept?
Typically around 6 or 7 per year. This usually includes a few students who bring external funding, such as a scholarship.
Do you offer funded positions?
Yes, every year we have a few funded PhD positions, available to both UK and international students. There are usually more good students than available spots, so if you think you may be able to secure alternative funding (perhaps from your home country’s government or international groups like the Commonwealth), it will improve your chances of getting a place - do speak to us if you think this is relevant.
Do I need to contact potential supervisors before applying?
No! If you’re selected for interview, you’ll have a chance to talk to potential supervisors. That’s the best time to speak to people, as by that point, we’ll have a good idea of which staff will be taking on a student in your year.
Do I need to choose a supervisor?
No - we have a centralised application process. When you apply, you’ll have the chance to tell us about your research interests. We’ll compare applications with potential projects, and suggest the best matches. If you get an offer, it will be to work with a particular supervisor.
Do I need to choose my topic in advance?
No! The final topic of your PhD will be decided based on your and your supervisor’s interests, and your collaboration/experiment’s needs. Topics often evolve over time to make a PhD experience that’s right for you and that produces useful scientific results.
Do I need to work on the same topic as I did in my master’s / bachelor’s dissertation?
Not at all! While research experience in your previous degrees is useful, the skills (technical and soft skills) gained will be applicable to many different experiments and projects. For a good candidate, picking up the specific techniques for a new experiment will only take a fraction of your PhD time - don’t worry about it at all.
What if I haven’t done a particle-physics research project before?
No problem! We understand that different students have had different opportunities. Think instead about skills you’ve learned in other areas of life and how they can be applicable to PhD study. This could include things like programming, data analysis, engineering, communication or lateral thinking.
Do I need a research proposal?
While the standard university form requires a “research proposal”, it is not actually needed for our application process! What IS important is that you fill in your research interests. Think about what you want from your PhD, and what skills you’d like to develop - do you prefer to work on software and data analysis only, or would you enjoy a hardware component, for example? Do you prefer a small or large collaboration? Do you want to become an expert in machine learning? Would you like to go on a long-term attachment, or do you prefer to stay in Edinburgh? We will use this information to match you to a compatible project. If you do have specific ideas of the science you want to do, include them - but if you’re open-minded, that’s fine too. We just want to see that you’ve thought about what a PhD could offer, and to find you an experience that will suit you.
What does Edinburgh’s PPE group look for in PhD applications?
We’re looking for good physics skills, of course! But equally important is to show that you understand what the PPE group does, and what a particle-physics PhD entails - we want people who are ready for and excited about the challenges ahead. You’ll need to be able to work independently, have your own ideas and vision, and be able to think laterally and come up with good ideas when you get stuck. As we work in collaborations, we also want to see evidence that you work well with others, and that you can communicate well.
What if I have my own source of funding?
Students with their own funding (eg through government scholarships) should make sure we are aware. Applications for this route may need to follow a different timeline from the main application process, and we are happy to accommodate that. In this case, you may want to approach a particular supervisor or have a particular project in mind, or you may ask us to help match you to a supervisor. Note that our entrance requirements still need to be met for these positions, and you will still need to pass an interview to check that you are suitable for the post.
I have another question!
Check the degree finder https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/postgraduate-research/193-particle-physics which has lots of information about the programme, entrance requirements, and how to apply.