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Semiconductor Physics Group Annual PhD Thesis Competition

This annual prize is for the PhD thesis that makes the strongest contribution to the understanding and development of semiconductor physics and technology. 


Terms of reference

The Committee of the Institute of Physics Semiconductor Physics Group offers an annual thesis prize for the author of the PhD thesis that makes the strongest contribution, in the opinion of the committee, to the understanding and development of semiconductor physics and technology.

The prize will consist of £250 and an invitation to present a talk at the UK Semiconductors Conference.

Eligibility

Applications for the 2025 prize are open to all students from an institution in the UK or Ireland, whose PhD examination has taken place between 1 August 2023 and up to the deadline for submissions (1 November 2024).

The thesis subject must be related to semiconductors, falling into at least one of the following categories:

  • physics in semiconductors
  • optical devices
  • electronic devices
  • semiconductor materials and nanostructures
  • mid-IR and THz
  • organics, organic-inorganic hybrid semiconductors and perovskites
  • semiconductor quantum technology

Submission format

  • A two-page (A4) list of major achievements obtained during the PhD, including publication list, attendance to conferences, prizes, etc.;
  • PDF of PhD thesis document;
  • Confirmation of the date of PhD examination, that the student passed and whether the thesis has also been submitted to another IOP group for a PhD thesis prize (e.g. official letter from the supervisor or the school where the examination was taken);
  • A one-page (A4) letter of support/reference written by an academic referee, summarising the major achievements included in the PhD thesis; and
  • Entries (PDF documents preferred) and any queries should be submitted by email.

Candidates should note that if a similar thesis prize is offered by another IOP group (such as the Computational Physics Group), the Committee intends to liaise with that group so that both prizes will not be awarded to the same applicant.

Rules

The PhD thesis will be judged by an expert panel according to the following criteria:

  • clarity of the research goal;
  • scientific content;
  • originality;
  • research impact;
  • complexity;
  • suitability of methodology and analysis;
  • overall coherence;
  • presentation; and
  • clarity of structure and writing.

How to apply

Send applications and any queries to group secretary Edmund Clarke: [email protected].

Deadline

The submission deadline is 23.59 on Friday 1 November 2024.

Previous winners

2023/2024

A headshot of Dr Julian Barrier at a graduation ceremony

Dr Julien Barrier, University of Manchester

Electronic properties of graphene heterostructures below 1K.

2022/2023

A headshot of Dr Pedro Vianez, IOP Semiconductor Physics Group thesis prize winner 2023

Dr Pedro Vianez, University of Cambridge

Semiconductor nanodevices as a probe of strong electron correlations.

2020/2021

Dr Thomas Roy Hopper, IOP Semiconductor Physics Group Annual PhD Thesis Competition winner

Dr Thomas Roy Hopper, Imperial College London

Ultrafast Photophysics and Energy Losses in Emerging Photovoltaic Materials and Devices.

2019/2020

Dr Adam Wright Semiconductor Physics Group PhD Competition winner 2020

Dr Adam Wright, University of Oxford

Electronic Processes in Metal Halide Perovskites.

2018/2019

Dr Mojtaba Abdi Jalebi

Dr Mojtaba Abdi Jalebi, University of Cambridge

Chemical Modifications and Passivation Approaches in Metal Halide Perovskite Solar Cells.

2017/2018

Dr James Palles-Dimmock, Imperial College London

Realisation of Hot Carrier Photovoltaic Cell.