Join the group
We welcome enquiries from prospective PhD students and postdoctoral researchers with backgrounds in physics, chemistry, materials science or engineering.
Doing a PhD in the group
PhD students work on problems at the frontier of light–matter interaction, nanoscale physics and physical chemistry, across our four research areas. Projects range from ultrafast spectroscopy and microscopy, including the development of new instruments, to the design of new materials and devices. Many students are jointly supervised with groups in other departments, including Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Engineering, and Materials Science and Metallurgy.
Funding is highly competitive. As a general guide, successful applicants have research experience and a first-class Master’s degree or equivalent: for example, a CPI of at least 9/10 from a leading Indian university, a GPA of at least 3.8/4 from a leading US university, or a mark of 90% or higher from a leading Chinese university. Full details are given in the University’s entry requirements.
Applications are made through the University’s PhD in Physics course page, which lists the current deadlines. The deadline for University funding usually falls in early December for entry the following October, so please contact us well in advance.
Postdoctoral researchers and fellows
We welcome applications from outstanding researchers with backgrounds in physics, chemistry or materials science. In addition to any advertised posts, we support candidates who wish to join the group with an independent fellowship, and we help with preparing applications.
Current members of the group hold Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships, Junior Research Fellowships at St John’s College and a Swedish Research Council fellowship. Other suitable schemes include Junior Research Fellowships at other Cambridge colleges, Research Fellowships of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 and Royal Society Newton International Fellowships.
Current vacancies: PhD positions for October 2027
We are recruiting PhD students to start in October 2027 across all of the group’s areas of research. We welcome applicants with a background in physics and chemistry who are curious about how materials work and enjoy experimental science.
Closing date: 9 December 2026
How to get in touch
Email Akshay at ar525 at cam.ac.uk with a CV, a short description of your research interests and experience, and your preferred start date. If relevant, please also say which fellowship or funding scheme you intend to apply for.
Internships and summer projects
We are not able to support research internships or summer students at present.