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Quantum Simulation of Out-of-Equilibrium Dynamics of Gauge Theories

This PhD project focuses on harnessing quantum simulators to explore lattice gauge theories, which are discrete counterparts of the gauge field theories underpinning the Standard Model. The research will design and analyse protocols that realise these models on Rydberg arrays or trapped-ion chains, and develop advanced numerical tools including tensor networks and exact diagonalisation to predict their real-time behaviour. Building on previous work on false-vacuum decay, the project will investigate metastability and bubble nucleation dynamics, examining how Gauss-law constraints and confining strings reshape the decay of false vacua. The research will also search for new forms of ergodicity breaking, extending the concept of quantum scars to settings with local gauge symmetries and exploring their impact on vacuum decay. Key questions include whether gauge constraints can stabilise scarred subspaces or fragment the Hilbert space in higher dimensions, and how scar-induced revivals interact with bubble formation and string breaking. By combining analytics, state-of-the-art simulations, and close interaction with experimental groups, this project will chart new territory where confinement, metastability and non-thermal dynamics meet.

EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2026/27: Physics & Astronomy

The EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award offers 2 talented budding researchers the opportunity to join the thriving community of leading researchers within the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Leeds. These are highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award Studentships offering the award of fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant (currently £20,780 for academic session 2025/26) for 3.5 years. Training and support will also be provided. This opportunity is open to UK applicants only and selection is based on academic merit. There are 2 funded places available and 4 projects in competition for this funding. Applicants can apply through specific projects in areas including quantum criticality, quantum simulation of gauge theories, black hole simulation, and topological quantum systems. The University of Leeds' research in physics is world-leading, with 99% of research rated as world-leading in REF 2021. Students will work in a professional research environment with UK-leading facilities and have access to extensive support through the Leeds Doctoral College.