Available Supervisors/Projects for Autumn 2025
Please see below a list of potential supervisors and projects for PhDs in Theoretical Physics in the London area. Projects shown in random order.
Note that this is a partial list and more information can be found in the application pages of the different universities and you can also approach other staff members not listed here for potential supervision. You should apply to all universities that you are interested in and not only to your top choice. Please visit our how-to-apply page for links to the different application portals.
Please see below a list of potential supervisors and projects for PhDs in Theoretical Physics in the London area. Projects shown in random order.
Note that this is a partial list and more information can be found in the application pages of the different universities and you can also approach other staff members not listed here for potential supervision. You should apply to all universities that you are interested in and not only to your top choice. Please visit our how-to-apply page for links to the different application portals.
Project titles
Petr Kravchuk (KCL): Numerical and analytical conformal field theory
George Papadopoulos (KCL): Geometry with applications to physics
Gerard Watts (KCL): Defects and related structures in two dimensional field theory
Christopher Herzog (KCL): Charting the Landscape of Defect and Boundary Quantum Field Theory
Katy Clough (QMUL): Numerical relativity for fundamental physics
Masanori Hanada (QMUL): Quantum Simulation of QCD and String Theory
Nadav Drukker (KCL): Nonlocal observables, conformal anomalies and conformal manifolds
Neil Lambert (KCL): Non-Lorentzian Field theories and Gauge/Gravity duality
Andreas Stergiou (KCL): Conformal Field Theory and Quantum Computing
Sameer Murthy (KCL): Black holes and the quantum structure of spacetime
Pau Figueras (QMUL): Gravitational waves in higher derivative theories of gravity
Alessandro Torrielli (Surrey U.): AdS_2 integrability and deformtions
Dionysios Anninos (KCL) : Group theory & the de Sitter universe
Martin Wolf (Surrey U.): Higher Geometry and Fluid Dynamics
Damian Galante (KCL): Quantum features of expanding spacetimes
Po-Shen Hsin (KCL): Topological physics in mixed quantum systems
Martin Wolf (Surrey U.): Homotopical algebra and Quantum Field Theory
Tarek Anous (QMUL): De Sitter matrix models and field theory
Alessandro Torrielli (Surrey U.): Lukyanov approach to form factors
Eleni Kontou (KCL): Quantum energy inequalities for interacting fields
Fedor Levkovich-Maslyuk (City U.): Integrability and exact correlates: from spin chains to field theory
Other Phd projects at QMUL physics can be found here.
Petr Kravchuk (KCL): Numerical and analytical conformal field theory
George Papadopoulos (KCL): Geometry with applications to physics
Gerard Watts (KCL): Defects and related structures in two dimensional field theory
Christopher Herzog (KCL): Charting the Landscape of Defect and Boundary Quantum Field Theory
Katy Clough (QMUL): Numerical relativity for fundamental physics
Masanori Hanada (QMUL): Quantum Simulation of QCD and String Theory
Nadav Drukker (KCL): Nonlocal observables, conformal anomalies and conformal manifolds
Neil Lambert (KCL): Non-Lorentzian Field theories and Gauge/Gravity duality
Andreas Stergiou (KCL): Conformal Field Theory and Quantum Computing
Sameer Murthy (KCL): Black holes and the quantum structure of spacetime
Pau Figueras (QMUL): Gravitational waves in higher derivative theories of gravity
Alessandro Torrielli (Surrey U.): AdS_2 integrability and deformtions
Dionysios Anninos (KCL) : Group theory & the de Sitter universe
Martin Wolf (Surrey U.): Higher Geometry and Fluid Dynamics
Damian Galante (KCL): Quantum features of expanding spacetimes
Po-Shen Hsin (KCL): Topological physics in mixed quantum systems
Martin Wolf (Surrey U.): Homotopical algebra and Quantum Field Theory
Tarek Anous (QMUL): De Sitter matrix models and field theory
Alessandro Torrielli (Surrey U.): Lukyanov approach to form factors
Eleni Kontou (KCL): Quantum energy inequalities for interacting fields
Fedor Levkovich-Maslyuk (City U.): Integrability and exact correlates: from spin chains to field theory
Other Phd projects at QMUL physics can be found here.
Project descriptions
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Numerical and analytical conformal field theory
Supervisor: Petr Kravchuk (KCL) The goal of this research project is to explore the non-perturbative properties of general conformal field theories (mostly in 3 dimensions and higher) using both numerical and analytical approaches to self-consistency conditions (conformal bootstrap) or effective descriptions, with a view towards applications in critical phenomena, quantum field theory and AdS/CFT correspondence. Contact: [email protected]
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Geometry with applications to physics
Supervisor: George Papadopoulos (KCL) The projects I have on offer include an exploration of the geometry of the moduli space of connections with a view to apply the results in AdS/CFT. I am also interested in the application of the Perelman's ideas, used in the proof of the Poincare conjecture, to physics. Contact: [email protected]
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Defects and related structures in two dimensional field theory
Supervisor: Gerard Watts (KCL) Defects are ubiquitous in current studies of quantum field theory, providing both new results and fresh insights into old. This project could go in any number of directions in which I am currently working - the mathematical proof of the consistency of the topological defects in fermionic theories; the study of defects related to generalised Gibbs ensembles; the relation to non-invertible symmetries; numerical work on defect perturbations. It would start with the basis of two dimensional conformal and integrable field theory, and the subsequent direction would be decided by mutual agreement. Contact: [email protected]
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Charting the Landscape of Defect and Boundary Quantum Field Theory
Supervisor: Christopher Herzog (KCL) Most of the major progress in theoretical physics over the last quarter century is associated with gravity and quantum field theory (QFT) in mixed dimensional systems -- whether that means black hole horizons, topological insulators, D-branes in string theory, twist defects in computations of entanglement entropy, or the interplay between the boundary and bulk in AdS/CFT correspondence. This progress suggests major fundamental gaps in our formulation of gravity and QFT in mixed dimensional systems that cries out for reconsideration and development. The aim of this PhD project will be to chart the renormalization group landscape of quantum field theories in the presence of boundaries and defects. A variety of approaches will be used, from more conventional epsilon expansion and large N to newer AdS/CFT and numerical bootstrap techniques. Results in this project may have direct experimental relevance for graphene and carbon nanotubes and also for flux tubes and Wilson lines in gauge theories. Contact: [email protected]
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Numerical relativity for fundamental physics
Supervisor: Katy Clough (QMUL) The student will develop and use numerical relativity simulations to investigate fundamental physics in strong gravity regimes. The goal is to understand the behaviour of environments around black holes and how they might be observed from gravitational wave data, the effect of new fields in the early universe, and signals from exotic matter solutions of gravity. The student will use HPC (High Performance Computing) resources to solve the coupled non-linear partial differential equations of general relativity, using the numerical relativity code GRChombo (www.grchombo.org). Whilst C++ coding and use of HPC will be a key part of any projects, potential students will not be required to have prior experience in these fields. Enthusiasm, resilience, and a willingness to learn will be considered the most important attributes. Contact: [email protected]
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Quantum Simulation of QCD and String Theory
Supervisor: Masanori Hanada (QMUL) Quantum simulations may provide us with new experimental approaches to studying theoretical ideas. In this project, we will develop the frameworks to study QCD and quantum mechanical systems dual to string theory. The ultimate goals will be to create such systems on quantum devices and perform experiments, e.g., let a small black hole in (1+9)-dimensions form and then evaporate. Contact: [email protected]
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Nonlocal observables, conformal anomalies and conformal manifolds
Supervisor: Nadav Drukker (KCL) This project will straddle both sides of the AdS/CFT correspondence. On the field theory side we will study non-local observables, in particular surface operators in four dimensions. Their holographic duals are some high dimensional branes embedded in AdS_5 x S^5 space. To date, only the most symmetric configurations of this type have been studied and we will explore ways to find less symmetric ones. We will also compute using holography the conformal anomaly associated to them and correlation functions of local operators inserted on them. In the process you will learn a lot about the AdS/CFT correspondence, conformal field theory in general and many different conceptual and computational techniques. Contact: [email protected]
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Non-Lorentzian Field theories and Gauge/Gravity duality
Supervisor: Neil Lambert (KCL) The mainstream examples of gauge/gravity duality involve Anti-de Sitter spacetimes and field theories with a conformal SO(2,D) symmetry. However in recent years examples have arisen where the field theory is not Lorentzian and the corresponding conformal group is not simply SO(2,d) for some d. This project will explore the construction of these theories and their symmetries at both the level of gauge field theory as well as their gravitational dual geometries. Contact: [email protected]
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Conformal Field Theory & Quantum Computing
Supervisor: Andreas Stergiou (KCL) Second order phase transitions display scale invariance and are typically described by conformal field theories (CFTs). The enhanced symmetry of these theories enables the study of their structure and properties with a plethora of analytic and numerical methods. Modern methods like the conformal bootstrap and the fuzzy sphere regularisation have produced impressive, non-perturbative results that have revolutionised our understanding of CFTs. These numerical methods have been efficiently implemented on classical computers. This PhD project aims to extend these implementations to quantum computers and explore more general applications of quantum computing to the study of CFTs. Contact: [email protected]
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Black holes and the quantum structure of spacetime
Supervisor: Sameer Murthy (KCL) Black holes are known to have thermodynamic properties like temperature and entropy. This is an important clue towards a quantum theory of gravity, and explaining these thermodynamic features from a more fundamental quantum-statistical point of view is an active topic of research. The project aims to explore questions about quantum aspects of black holes, within the framework of string theory and AdS/CFT, of the following sort: (1) What is the nature of the microscopic states underlying a black hole? (2) How does one describe the collective behavior (phases) of these microstates? (3) How does one describe the microscopic structure of spacetime from a gravitational path integral? A good knowledge of quantum field theory (including path integrals) and GR are prerequisites. Some knowledge of string theory is useful, this will be developed as one goes along. Contact: [email protected]
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Gravitational waves in higher derivative theories of gravity
Supervisor: Pau Figueras (QMUL) The aim of this project is to develop a mathematical and practical understanding of how to formulate the initial value problem in higher derivative theories of gravity from the point of view of effective field theory (EFT). The theories that we are going to consider are standard general relativity supplemented by higher curvature terms, such as Riemann3. These terms naturally arise as corrections from a microscopic theory of quantum gravity, but the resulting equations of motion are of order higher than two and hence it is not clear how to formulate the initial value problem. The analogous issues arises in relativistic theories of viscous hydrodynamics. In this context, the Israel-Stewart formulation of the theory in principle allows to modify the equations of motion in a way that they are well-posed while still (supposedly) capturing the long distance physics of interest and ensuring that the local entropy increases. Can a similar formulation be devised for higher derivative theories of gravity? Contact: [email protected]
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AdS_2 integrability and deformations
Supervisor: Alessandro Torrielli (Surrey U.) This project concerns studying the scattering matrix underlying the AdS_2 integrable string theory, and attacking the problem of constructing the massive dressing factor. We will also study the recently-discovered scattering matrix interpolating the AdS_2 and AdS_3 integrable systems and deduce the quantum group properties of the underlying algebra. Contact: [email protected]
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Group theory & the de Sitter universe
Supervisor: Dionysios Anninos (KCL) The project aims to develop the interplay between group theoretic aspects of the de Sitter isometries and quantum fields on a fixed de Sitter background. A particular emphasis will be placed on gauge fields, both of integer and half-integer spin. The structure of entanglement of these fields will be considered. Contact: [email protected]
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Higher Geometry and Fluid Dynamics
Supervisor: Martin Wolf (Surrey U.) Over the past few years, it has been realised that fluid dynamics, such as Navier-Stokes flows, can be analysed geometrically through Monge-Ampere geometry. In particular, Navier-Stokes flows in three dimensions are governed by higher (categorified) symplectic geometry. This project aims at using the tools of higher geometry to understand the underpinnings of Navier-Stokes flows with the aim of shedding light on the geometry of vortices. Contact: [email protected]
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Quantum features of expanding spacetimes
Supervisor: Damian Galante (KCL) The Universe is currently experiencing a period of accelerated expansion. The same happened during the first instances of time. As a result, observers, like ourselves, do not have causal access to the whole spacetime but are instead surrounded by a cosmological event horizon. In the last 25 years, a new framework to understand quantum features of spacetime — known as holography — has been successfully applied to the study of black hole horizons. The aim of this project is to characterise quantum features of the cosmological horizon by understanding how to translate the holographic toolkit to incorporate spacetimes that undergo accelerated expansion. The use of concepts and techniques from quantum many-body systems and quantum information might play a crucial role in solving this problem. |
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Topological physics in mixed state quantum systems
Supervisor: Po-Shen Hsin (KCL) Mixed states are ubiquitous such as decoherence from the environment. This project will investigate topological properties of mixed state systems and understand the analogy and difference to the pure states such as topological orders and quantum phases. Contact: [email protected]
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Homotopical Algebra and Quantum Field Theory
Supervisor: Martin Wolf (Surrey U.) Homotopy algebras have recently been identified to underpin any quantum field theory. In particular, they provide a powerful mathematical framework to analyse the mathematical structures of quantum field theory.
Contact: [email protected]
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De Sitter matrix models and field theory
Supervisor: Tarek Anous (QMUL) The aim of this project will be to construct quantum mechanical systems (such as matrix models) and quantum field theories whose isometry group written as field operators coincides with the Killing symmetries of d-dimensional de Sitter space SO(1,d)---in analogy with how the isometry group of conformal field theory coincides with the Kiling symmetries of Anti-de Sitter space. A particularly interesting case example may be that of two-dimensional conformal field theory with c=0. In this special case, it is known that the left/right-moving Virasoro algebra admits unitary representations that coincide with the states of a heavy particle in two-dimensional de Sitter space. Is it possible to design a Lagrangian that has these properties? What lessons can we extract for cosmology? Contact: [email protected]
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Lukyanov approach to form factors
Supervisor: Alessandro Torrielli (Surrey U.) This project concerns applying the Lukyanov approach to form-factor calculation to the relativistic scattering theory obtained in the BMN limit of the massless left-left and right-right moving scattering matrix of the AdS_3 and AdS_2 integrable string theory. We will then compare with the formulas that are available in the literature, and in particular with the results of the recently developed AdS_3 hexagon program Contact: [email protected]
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Quantum energy inequalities for interacting fields
Supervisor: Eleni Kontou (KCL) In General Relativity, any spacetime geometry, including wormholes, solves the field equations for a particular distribution of energy. Thus, physicists introduced energy conditions: restrictions on contractions of the stress-energy tensor such as the energy density (review: https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.01815) It was proven that these conditions are all violated in the context of quantum field theory(QFT). However, quantum fields cannot admit unlimited negative energy. Quantum energy inequalities(QEIs) introduce restrictions on the negative values of the renormalized energy density. QEIs have been derived for free fields but few results exist for interacting QFTs. The goal of this project is to derive new QEIs for interacting QFTs. A starting point is the phi^4 perturbative interaction which is also important in the analysis of non-minimally coupled fields (https://arxiv.org/abs/2309.10848). The project will shed new light on whether there is a fundamental energy condition in QFT. Contact: [email protected]
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Integrability and exact correlators: from spin chains to field theory
Supervisor: Fedor Levkovich-Maslyuk (City U.) Quantum integrable models offer a fascinating way to explore non-perturbative physics as their hidden symmetries often lead to powerful exact results. The goal of this project is to develop new ways to compute key observables, in particular correlation functions, in integrable theories ranging from spin chains to 4d supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory and string theory. This project will also explore the associated deep mathematical structures (e.g. Yangian algebras, spectral curves, quantum separated variables), as well as important applications such as calculation of Feynman graphs. Contact: [email protected]
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