PhD with Integrated Study Topological Design

The Centre for Doctoral Training in Topological Design draws on expert researchers from across the Sciences and Engineering, who use topological principles to make new discoveries and design new materials and devices with unusual mechanical, optical, electronic and magnetic properties.

Topological Design is concerned with the functionality of an object or device derived from its shape rather than the material it is made from. Topology is the branch of mathematics that describes properties of objects which are preserved under continuous deformations (such as stretching, bending, twisting and crumpling).

Our programme, 1 year taught + 3 years research, includes:

• 1st year taught courses covering all aspects of Topological Science (including Condensed Matter Physics, Electromagnetic and Microwave Engineering and Materials Science);
• 1st year mini-projects in theoretical and experimental groups, and an industrial internship;
• A 3-year cutting-edge research project in specialist research teams with world-leading research profiles and facilities, with themes in quantum physics and technology, mechanical and vibration engineering, electromagnetism and photonics, manufacturing and 3D printing, soft matter and chemistry, health and life sciences and many more.

Why study Topological Design PhD with Integrated Study at Birmingham?

• Topological Design is concerned with the functionality of an object or device derived from its shape rather than the material it is made from. Topology is the branch of mathematics that describes properties of objects which are preserved under continuous deformations (such as stretching, bending, twisting and crumpling).
• In the last few years, topological concepts have reshaped our understanding of Condensed Matter, Optics and Photonics, Ultra-cold atoms and the Mechanics of Materials, and exploiting topological properties has the potential to revolutionise technology.
• The University of Birmingham has been at the forefront of Topological Science. Historically, the worlds of Topology and Physics merged with the seminal work of Profs Tony Skyrme, David Thouless and Michael Kosterlitz at Birmingham, the latter two received the Physics Nobel prize in 2016 for opening “the door on an unknown world where matter can assume strange states”.

University Careers Network

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