Theoretical Cosmology, Physics: Quantum Fields, Information, and Next-Generation Cosmological Probes (RS985)

Closing date: 31 October 2026

Key Information

Open to: UK fee eligible applicants only
Funding Providers: STFC
Subject Area: Theoretical Physics
Project Start Dates: January 2027

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.

Supervisors: Azadeh Maleknejad, Gianmassimo Tasinato
Aligned programme of study: Physics, PhD
Mode of study: Full time
Place of study: Swansea University (Singleton Campus)

Project description:

Quantum Fields, Information, and Next-Generation Cosmological Probes

This PhD project will investigate theoretical aspects of quantum field theory in cosmological spacetimes, with a particular focus on the physics of the early Universe. It will explore the behaviour of quantum fields in expanding backgrounds, including particle production, the dynamics of cosmological perturbations, and the emergence of effectively classical observables from primordial quantum fluctuations.

A central theme of the project will be the role of quantum information concepts in cosmology. Notions such as entanglement, quantum coherence, and information flow offer new perspectives on the quantum-to-classical transition, as well as on the structure and evolution of quantum correlations generated during the early Universe. These questions will be addressed using frameworks from open quantum systems, decoherence, and non-equilibrium quantum dynamics, providing a unified description of quantum fields interacting with a cosmological environment.

The project will further aim to connect these theoretical developments with potential observable signatures. In particular, it will investigate how quantum information theoretic features may be encoded in cosmological and astrophysical observables, and how they could be accessed through next-generation probes, including gravitational-wave observatories, measurements of the cosmic microwave background, and emerging concepts inspired by quantum sensing technologies.

The research will be primarily theoretical, relying on analytical methods from quantum field theory, general relativity, and cosmology, with interdisciplinary links to statistical physics and quantum information theory.

Eligibility

PhD:

Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level or a master s degree with a minimum overall grade at Merit (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University).

English Language

IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.0) or Swansea University recognised equivalent.

Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

Funding

UK fee eligible applicants 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)

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently 21,805 for 2026/27).

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

How to Apply

To apply, please complete the entire application form here .

Applications may be submitted in Welsh and any application submitted in Welsh will be treated no less favourably than an application submitted in English. Please refer to the University s Welsh Language Policy on Awarding Grants

To be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required.

In section Programme Related Information please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS985
In section Research you will see Proposed project title/studentship title * (Mandatory) In Proposed project title/studentship title please input: the RS Code, RS985 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 )

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.

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

Apply for the same course with the next available start date (e.g., select January if October is unavailable).
Email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with your student number and the relevant scholarship RS code, requesting the start date be amended to match the advert.

Admissions staff will then update your application accordingly.

Important : If you have previously applied for the same programme & intake, do not re

apply using a different email address. Applications submitted with an email address that differs from the one used in your original application will not be accepted or considered.

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

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 - please note that you do not need to hold a valid English Language test at time of application, as any offer made can be conditional upon the appropriate level of English. Please find further information on what we can accept via our English Language policy pages here ).
Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
Confirmation of EDI form submission

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact: Azadeh Maleknejad Azadeh.Maleknejad@Swansea.ac.uk

*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.