Postgraduate research opportunities Ultra-high common-mode noise rejecting geomagnetic gradiometer
ApplyKey facts
- Opens: Friday 1 November 2024
- Deadline: Friday 7 February 2025
- Number of places: 1
- Duration: 4 years
- Funding: Home fee, International fee, Stipend
Overview
This 4-year PhD project is part of the EPSRC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training in Applied Quantum Technologies. As well as completing a PhD project in an aligned topic, CDT students will also benefit from technical and skills-based training in all aspects of quantum technologies.Eligibility
All applicants must have one of the following in a relevant subject:
- have or expect to obtain a first class or second class honours degree or,
- have or expect to obtain a Masters degree
Project Details
Alternative positioning, using time-series geomagnetic data for positioning relative to the Earth’s permanent crustal magnetic anomalies, relies on geomagnetic sensing of high sensitivity, low drift and compact portable form factor. Optically pumped quantum magnetometers (OPMs) meet these three criteria, exploiting resonant interaction between coherent laser light and alkali atomic vapour samples. These sensors achieve femto-tesla sensitivity (parts per billion of the Earth’s magnetic field), alongside self-calibrated measurement, and can be realised in compact pocket-sized packages. However, to use the high accuracy and sensitivity of these devices on magnetically noisy real-world platforms, such as airborne platforms, surface ships and unmanned drones requires a high degree of noise rejection and filtering. Common-mode spectral noise sources in these environments can be several hundreds of nano-tesla, requiring noise rejection ratios in the tens of thousands. Magnetic gradiometry, utilising alkali spin maser techniques in a unique microfabricated caesium cell, is under development at the University of Strathclyde. The technique under development targets very high common-mode noise rejection (CMNR) by cancellation of common-mode systematics, such as alkali density and optical noise, at source, ensuring the bandwidth, uniformity and linearity required for high CMNR.
By developing this device for alternative PNT, employing total field measurement to permit map matching in addition to partial gradiometric tensor output, the requirements of MBDA’s application will be embedded from the outset, maximising impact in this important set of end uses. The PhD project will include meaningful trials with MBDA on UAV platforms and in high-noise magnetic environments, as available. To realise a navigation capability, the availability of suitable resolution maps are a key concern. To this end, a review of support that can be drawn from parallel research at Strathclyde may prove beneficial. It is also important to note the dual-use value of high CMNR, high-sensitivity magnetometry in a range of healthcare and biomedical applications.
Further information
EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Applied Quantum Technologies
Funding details
The funding provided for these fully funded PhDs will include four years of both tuition fees and monthly stipend payments.
Fully funded studentships are available at the UK home rate and international rate.
Home Students
To be eligible for a fully funded UK home studentship you must:
- Be a UK national or UK/EU dual national or non-UK national with settled status / pre-settled status / indefinite leave to remain / indefinite leave to enter / discretionary leave / EU migrant worker in the UK or non-UK national with a claim for asylum or the family member of such a person, and
- Have ordinary residence in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or British Overseas Territory, at the Point of Application, and
- Have three years residency in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, British Overseas Territory or EEA before the relevant date of application unless residency outside of the UK/ EEA has been of a temporary nature only and of a period less than six years
International Students
There are a limited number of international studentships for exceptional candidates who do not meet the UK home status mentioned above.
Candidates should check if they require an ATAS certificate; eligible nationalities are listed on GOV.UK (UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office).
International candidates whose first language is not English must demonstrate their proficiency in the English language with IELTS certification or equivalent.
While there is no funding in place for opportunities marked "unfunded", there are lots of different options to help you fund postgraduate research. Visit funding your postgraduate research for links to government grants, research councils funding and more, that could be available.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Dr Stuart Ingleby
Additional supervisor: Professor Paul Griffin, MBDA
Apply
Applications should be submitted via the AQT website in the first instance.
Number of places: 1
To read how we process personal data, applicants can review our 'Privacy Notice for Student Applicants and Potential Applicants' on our Privacy notices' web page.