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School of Physical and Chemical Sciences

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  1. School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
  2. Centre for Condensed Matter Physics
  3. PhD at CCMP
  4. PhD Projects in CCMP
  5. Disordered crystals for new functional materials

Disordered crystals for new functional materials

Research Group: Center for Condensed Matter Physics
Number of Students: 1
Length of Study in Years: 4 years
Full-time Project: yes

Funding

Funding is provided via the China Scholarship Council.  

  • Available to Chinese applicants only.
  • Applicant required to start in September 2026
  • The studentship arrangement will cover overseas tuition fees for the duration of the studentship.

Project Description

It is now widely recognised that the average crystallographic structure is merely a foundation point for understanding functional materials. In systems ranging from perovskite solar cells to metal-free ferroelectrics, dynamic disorder is not just a curiosity or inconvenience, but contributes directly to the functionality.

Examples of such functionality in which I can offer PhD projects include:

  • Barocaloric materials, which can be cycled between high- and low-entropy states as a function of applied pressure, and which can hence be used for environmentally friendly refrigeration. This technology promises to reduce the significant carbon cost of cooling, which currently relies on vapour-phase refrigerants with global warming potentials thousands of times higher than carbon dioxide. My group currently has two EPSRC-funded projects in this field, covering the full range from materials discovery to device design.
  • Negative thermal expansion materials, which contract in size rather than expanding when they are heated. This phenomenon is linked to other counterintuitive thermodynamic properties such as pressure-induced softening, and has applications in heat-resistant glasses and ceramics from stovetops to spacecraft.
  • Molecular ferroelectrics and dielectrics, which offer powerful technological possibilities and can be used to avoid lead and other toxic, rare, or expensive metals.

My group has a particular experimental focus on advanced neutron and X-ray scattering techniques. We perform many experiments at central facilities in the UK, Europe, and beyond. We also have a full range of in-house synthesis and characterisation facilities. We complement our experimental work with simulations ranging from highly accurate quantum chemical methods to empirical and machine-learning potential models.

If you are interested in describing our material world at an atomic scale, working at the boundary of physics, chemistry, and materials science, and using a combination of experiment, simulation and theory, I’d love to hear from you. You will gain experience working in a multidisciplinary team, and complete your PhD well equipped for careers in emerging technologies in academia, industry or business.

Requirements

Application Method:

To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Physics programme (Full Time) please follow the instructions detailed on the following webpage:

https://www.qmul.ac.uk/spcs/phdresearch/application-process/#apply

Deadline for application – 28th January 2026

Supervisor Contact Details:

For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Prof Anthony Phillips

Email: a.e.phillips@qmul.ac.uk

Requirements

  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
  • If English is not your first language you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in all categories.  English language certificate will be required at application. 

SPCS Academics: Professor Anthony Phillips

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