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Toy models of gravity

Research Group: Centre for Theoretical Physics
Number of Students: 1
Length of Study in Years: 3.5 years

Funding

Funding is provided via the Scientific Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

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

Project Description

In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that gravity and quantum physics are not incompatible; rather, they are intimately connected. The emergence of spacetime is believed to be related to the quantum entanglement of degrees of freedom in a 'holographic dual' quantum system. However, the nature of this emergence is not fully understood, and controlled models for emergent gravity would be immensely valuable. Therefore, the main objective of this project is to build toy models of quantum gravity. This project will involve studying existing models, such as AdS/CFT, the Sachdev–Ye–Kitaev model, Jackiw–Teitelboim gravity, matrix models, and important tools in the theory of integrability (e.g. the quantum spectral curve). The ultimate aim of the project is to identify a (possibly discrete) quantum gravity model and find its corresponding holographic dual description.

Application Method:

To apply for this studentship and for entry onto 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 of January 2026

Supervisor Contact Details:

For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Dr David Vegh

Email: d.vegh@qmul.ac.uk

 

SPCS Academics: Dr David Vegh

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