Topological Design PhD with Integrated Study

Program Overview

The Topological Design PhD program at the University of Birmingham combines research and coursework to train students in applying topological principles to create innovative materials and devices. Through a focus on the functionality derived from shape rather than material, the program equips graduates with interdisciplinary research skills and practical experience for careers in academia, industry, or government in fields such as materials science, engineering, and physics.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Topological Design PhD with Integrated Study is a 4-year, combined research and taught doctoral program offered by the University of Birmingham. It is designed for students interested in applying topological principles to design new materials and devices with unique mechanical, optical, electronic, and magnetic properties. The program focuses on the functionality of an object or device derived from its shape rather than the material it is made from. Topology, a branch of mathematics, describes properties of objects that remain unchanged under continuous deformations like stretching, bending, twisting, and crumpling. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to:

• Conduct cutting-edge, interdisciplinary applied research in topological design.
• Develop technical skills in topology and its applications.
• Enhance transferable skills for professional research.
• Gain practical experience through a 3-month internship with an industrial partner.

Careers:

The program prepares students for careers in research and development, particularly in fields like:

• Materials science
• Engineering
• Physics
• Optics and photonics
• Ultra-cold atoms
• The program is often co-funded by industry-leading partners and world-renowned institutions.
• The University of Birmingham has a long history of research in topological science, with notable contributions from Profs Tony Skyrme, David Thouless, and Michael Kosterlitz, the latter two receiving the Physics Nobel prize in 2016.
• The program emphasizes the potential of topological properties to revolutionize technology.
• The program explores material topology in both real space (leading to strong, lightweight materials) and reciprocal space (leading to topologically protected modes and channels).