Our Experimental Condensed Matter and Nanoscience research involves seven groups: Nanoscience Nanometre scale structures and nanostructured materials play an increasingly important role in a wide range of scientific disciplines, ranging from solid-state physics through to molecular biology. Research interests reflect this multidisciplinary and involve intra- and inter-university collaborations with groups in Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Scanning probe microscopes are used extensively by the group. Semiconductors Extensive in-house semiconductor growth and fabrication facilities, including four MBE systems and nanolithography, provide the basis for wide-ranging studies of III-V arsenide and nitride semiconductor materials and devices. We are investigating novel alloys, self-organised quantum dots, superlattices and nanostructures using techniques including electrical transport, quantum tunneling, ultra-fast optical spectroscopy, phonon spectroscopy and imaging, and capacitance and magnetic force scanning probe microscopy. Granular Dynamics Granular materials are extremely unusual in that they can simultaneously display properties normally associated with solids, liquids and gases, together with other properties which are uniquely on there own. Our research aims to investigate the dynamical behaviour of various granular systems using a combination of experimentation, numerical simulations and analytical studies. Magnetic Levitation We use strong magnetic fields, up to 17 Tesla, generated by superconducting magnets to levitate water and biological organisms such as plants and bacteria. Within a magnetically levitated object, the force of gravity is balanced by a magnetic force at the molecular level. This means we can investigate the effects of weightless conditions, without needing a spaceship. We can also use the magnetic field to effectively increase the force of gravity, or to apply "differential" gravity to mixtures, such as granular materials, to achieve separation. Nanoelectromechanical Systems (NEMS) NEMS can be regarded as a natural continuation of a process of miniaturisation which initially led to the development of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and as such are likely to find a very wide range of applications in nanotechnology. A number of very promising prototype NEMS devices have already been developed. In particular, intensive effort has been devoted to developing detectors of mass, spin and charge, based on high frequency mechanical resonators. On a more fundamental level, nanomechanical resonators, with frequencies up to the GHz range, have been identified as having great potential for probing the transition from quantum to classical regimes. The fundamental limits set by quantum mechanics on the sensitivity with which a resonator's position can be monitored have been known for some time, but it is only very recently, using nanomechanical systems, that experiment has come close to reaching them Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; and Ultra-Low Temperature Physics Activities in this field include: * quantum molecular tunnelling * production and exploitation of hyperpolarised species for medical and materials sciences * quantum fluids * spin dynamics in solid xenon Further information on all of these areas can be found on the Experimental Condensed Matter and Nanoscience research website.

Those who take up a postgraduate research opportunity with us will not only receive support in terms of close contact with supervisors and specific training related to your area of research, you will also benefit from dedicated careers advice from our Careers and Employability Service. Individual guidance appointments, career management training programme, access to resources and invitations to events including skills workshops and recruitment fairs are just some of the ways in which they can help you develop your full potential, whether you choose to continue within an academic setting or are looking at options outside of academia. Average starting salary and career progression In 2013, 85% of postgraduates from biology taught courses and research opportunities who were available for employment had secured work or further study within six months of graduation. The average starting salary was £22,859 with the highest being £32,000.