PhD Studentship: Machine Learning Density Functionals from Quantum Computing

University of Nottingham
Nottingham
1 week ago
Create job alert
Area

Science


Location

UK Other


Closing Date

Sunday 19 April 2026


Reference

SCI3057


Project Overview

Data is more valuable than oil, so it has been said. Quantum computing offers new unusual datasets thereby presenting new opportunities for AI approaches. Quantum computing is raising the prospect of calculations on a hardware architecture that matches the inherent nature of quantum chemistry electronic structure calculations and with it the opportunity to capture some of the inherent physics, albeit with the noise associated with near‑term quantum devices. This in turn offers an exciting new dataset from which it will be possible to use machine learning to train a more accurate functional for use in density functional theory. In collaboration with Phasecraft, a leading quantum algorithms company, this project will explore the generation of new quantum computing datasets and the development of machine learning techniques to utilize the datasets to train improved density functionals for use in quantum chemical electronic structure calculations.


Eligibility and Application

Applicants should have, or expected to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent if from other countries) in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science or Natural Sciences or a related subject. A MChem/MSc‑4‑year integrated Masters, a BSc + MSc or a BSc with substantial research experience will be highly advantageous. Experience in computer programming will be essential. Studentships are open to home students only. The deadline to have completed and submitted your formal application is Sunday 19th April 2026. Start date is 1st October 2026.


Stipend & Funding

Annual tax‑free stipend based on the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27) plus fully‑funded PhD tuition fees for the 3.5 years.


Supervisors

Jonathan Hirst (School of Chemistry), Katherine Inzani (School of Chemistry), Adam Gammon‑Smith (School of Physics & Astronomy)


Contact

For further details and to arrange an interview please contact Prof. Jonathan Hirst - (School of Chemistry)


#J-18808-Ljbffr

Related Jobs

View all jobs

PhD Studentship - Data Science

PhD Studentship - Data Science | Brentford FC

PhD in Data Science for Elite Football Performance

Fully Funded Football Data Science PhD Fellowship

UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Environmental Intelligence: Data Science & AI for Sustaina[...]

PhD in Machine Learning & AI Research (UK)

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many Machine Learning Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Machine Learning Job?

Machine learning is one of the most exciting and rapidly growing areas of tech. But for job seekers it can also feel like a maze of tools, frameworks and platforms. One job advert wants TensorFlow and Keras. Another mentions PyTorch, scikit-learn and Spark. A third lists Mlflow, Docker, Kubernetes and more. With so many names out there, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you must learn everything just to be competitive. Here’s the honest truth most machine learning hiring managers won’t say out loud: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every tool. They hire you because you can solve real problems with the tools you know. Tools are important — no doubt — but context, judgement and outcomes matter far more. So how many machine learning tools do you actually need to know to get a job? For most job seekers, the real number is far smaller than you think — and more logically grouped. This guide breaks down exactly what employers expect, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to structure your learning for real career results.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Machine Learning Job Applications (UK Guide)

Whether you’re applying for machine learning engineer, applied scientist, research scientist, ML Ops or data scientist roles, hiring managers scan applications quickly — often making decisions before they’ve read beyond the top third of your CV. In the competitive UK market, it’s not enough to list skills. You must send clear signals of relevance, delivery, impact, reasoning and readiness for production — and do it within the first few lines of your CV or portfolio. This guide walks you through exactly what hiring managers look for first in machine learning applications, how they evaluate CVs and portfolios, and what you can do to improve your chances of getting shortlisted at every stage — from your CV and LinkedIn profile to your cover letter and project portfolio.

MLOps Jobs in the UK: The Complete Career Guide for Machine Learning Professionals

Machine learning has moved from experimentation to production at scale. As a result, MLOps jobs have become some of the most in-demand and best-paid roles in the UK tech market. For job seekers with experience in machine learning, data science, software engineering or cloud infrastructure, MLOps represents a powerful career pivot or progression. This guide is designed to help you understand what MLOps roles involve, which skills employers are hiring for, how to transition into MLOps, salary expectations in the UK, and how to land your next role using specialist platforms like MachineLearningJobs.co.uk.