About the Project
Research into intense laser–plasma interactions for compact particle accelerators and advanced radiation sources has attracted considerable interest over the past few decades, driven in particular by the development of high-intensity laser technologies such as chirped-pulse amplification (CPA). Plasma-based accelerators can sustain accelerating electric fields that are orders of magnitude higher than those achievable in conventional radio-frequency (RF) accelerator structures, offering the…
potential to dramatically reduce the size, cost, and infrastructure requirements of future accelerators.
Intense laser–plasma interactions provide a route to compact accelerators and table-top X-ray and gamma-ray sources with unique properties. This PhD research encompasses both gaseous plasmas and emerging solid-state and nanostructured plasma concepts, including carbon-nanotube-based systems. These advanced accelerator concepts have potential applications across fundamental physics, industry, medicine, and national security. The radiation sources provide ultrashort pulse durations reaching the femtosecond or attosecond regime, high peak brightness, and potentially high photon flux. Such sources could enable new applications in ultrafast imaging, medical imaging, photonuclear physics, high-energy-density science, and strong-field quantum electrodynamics (QED). The availability of state-of-the-art multi-hundred-terawatt (TW) and petawatt (PW)-class laser facilities, including the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) facilities in Europe and high-power laser facilities in the UK, creates exciting opportunities to explore these regimes experimentally.
This is a 3–3.5-year PhD position starting in October 2027. The project will investigate novel schemes for compact particle acceleration and high-energy X-ray/gamma-ray generation. The research will combine theoretical and computational approaches, including classical electrodynamics, plasma physics, accelerator physics, particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, high-performance computing (HPC), and advanced machine-learning methods.
The student will be registered at the University of Manchester and will work closely with collaborators across the Cockcroft Institute and its partner universities and ELI collaborators. An important component of the project will be the development of concepts and simulations that can contribute directly to future experimental proposals for X-ray and gamma-ray generation at multi-hundred-TW and multi-PW laser facilities in the UK and Europe. The project therefore offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of plasma physics, accelerator physics, high-power lasers, computational physics, machine learning, and advanced radiation sources, with a strong connection to future experimental programmes. If you want to more about this position, please contact Dr. Guoxing Xia.
This project is expected to start in September 2027.
Before you apply:
We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisors for this project before you apply.
How to apply:
To be considered for this project you must complete a formal application through our online application portal. If you already have an applicant account this link will directly open an application for PhD School of Natural Sciences Scholarships. If you don’t already have an applicant account, please follow the instructions here.
When applying, please specify the full title and supervisor/s of the project, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. You must also upload a Supporting Statement describing your motivation to apply to the project, your CV and transcripts of awarded and in-progress university qualifications. Please note late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester and central to all our activities. A diverse research community strengthens creativity, productivity and quality, while increasing the societal and economic impact of our work. We welcome applicants from all career paths, backgrounds and sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation or transgender status.
We welcome applications from candidates returning to study after a career break or experience in other roles. Flexible study arrangements may be available, including part-time study at 50%, 60% or 80%, subject to the requirements of the project and funder.
Eligibility: The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in Physics or Engineering (or international equivalent) OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit in Physics or Engineering (or international equivalent).
This project will remain open until filled.
If your application is submitted by 1st November 2026, you can expect a decision by 18th December 2026.
If your application is submitted by 15th January 2027, you can expect a decision by 30th March 2027.
Self or externally funded students can also be considered for this project.
Funding Notes
Funding covers tuition fees, an annual stipend at the UKRI minimum rate (currently £21,805 per year), and a research training support grant of up to £2,500 per year for the full 3.5-year programme.