Simulation of Black Holes: Quantum Information, Scrambling, and Evaporation

Black holes push physics to its limits. Yet their most mysterious behaviours can now be explored using condensed matter systems. This PhD will develop and study quantum simulators that mimic black hole phenomena such as Hawking radiation, fast information scrambling, quantum information recovery, and black hole evaporation.<br /> <br /> You will investigate how simple many-body models can generate emergent horizons, thermal radiation, and extreme quantum chaos, providing new insights into the quantum nature of gravity. The project combines analytical work with advanced numerical simulations and offers opportunities to collaborate with experimental groups exploring next-generation quantum platforms.<br /> <br /> This project will put you at the forefront of a rapidly growing field that investigates quantum information, many-body physics by recreating black holes on a table-top.

<p data-end="818" data-start="360">Black holes are among the most fascinating and mysterious objects in physics, sitting at the crossroads of quantum mechanics and general relativity. This PhD project will explore how <em data-end="573" data-start="543">table-top quantum simulators</em>—such as spin chains, optical lattices, or superconducting qubit arrays—can reproduce key features of black holes, including <strong data-end="719" data-start="698">Hawking radiation</strong>, <strong data-end="747" data-start="721">information scrambling</strong>, and <strong data-end="785" data-start="753">quantum information recovery</strong> during black hole evaporation.</p> <p data-end="1213" data-start="820">The goal is to develop and study effective condensed-matter models that mimic the spacetime geometry and chaotic dynamics of black holes under controlled laboratory conditions. By combining analytical and numerical methods, the project will investigate how quantum correlations evolve across an emergent event horizon and how information can be lost, scrambled, or recovered in such systems.</p> <p data-end="1693" data-start="1215">The student will join an active research group working at the interface of <strong data-end="1363" data-start="1290">quantum information, many-body physics, and quantum gravity analogues</strong>, and will have the opportunity to collaborate with both theoretical and experimental teams exploring quantum simulation platforms. The project is ideally suited for candidates with a background in <strong data-end="1601" data-start="1561">theoretical or computational physics</strong>, and interests in <strong data-end="1690" data-start="1620">quantum field theory, condensed matter, or gravitational analogues</strong>.</p> <p data-end="1941" data-start="1695">This PhD offers a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the most ambitious questions in modern physics—understanding how quantum information behaves in the presence of gravity—through models that can be realised and tested in the laboratory.</p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study that you are applying for <em><strong>PHD Physics & Astronomy FT, </strong></em>in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <em><strong>Simulation of Black Holes: Quantum Information, Scrambling, and Evaporation </strong></em>as well as <a href="https://physicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/staff/122/dr-jiannis-pachos">Prof Jiannis Pachos</a> as your proposed supervisor and in the finance section, please state clearly <em><strong>the funding that you are applying for are EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2026/27 and School of Physics & Astronomy 2026/27</strong></em>.</p> <p>Applications will be considered after the closing date of Friday 30 January 2026.  Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application.  We also advise that you apply at the earliest opportunity as the application and selection process may close early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications or that a suitable candidate is appointed.</p> <p><strong>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of 30 January 2026:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date including grading scheme</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:24px"><strong>EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2026/27</strong></p> <p>A highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award, providing full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (£20,780 in academic session 2025/26) for 3.5 years.  Training and support will also be provided.<br /> <br /> This opportunity is open to UK applicants only.  All candidates will be placed into the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award Competition and selection is based on academic merit.</p> <p>Please note that there is only 2 funded places available to UK applicants only and this project is in competition with 4 other projects to secure this funding.  If you are successful in securing an academic offer for PhD study, this does not mean that you have been successful in securing an offer of funding.</p> <p>Please refer to the <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p> <p><strong>School of Physics & Astronomy Studentship 2026/27</strong></p> <p>A highly competitive School of Physics & Astronomy Studentship providing the award of full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (£20,780 in academic session 2025/26) for 3.5 years. There are no additional allowances for travel, research expenses, conference attendance or any other costs.</p> <p>You will be responsible for paying the overtime fee in full in your writing up/overtime year (£340 in Session 2025/26), but the scholarship maintenance allowance will continue to be paid for up to 6 months in the final year of award.</p> <p>Please note that there is only 1 funded place available to UK applicants only and this project is in competition with 4 other projects to secure this funding.  If you are successful in securing an academic offer for PhD study, this does not mean that you have been successful in securing an offer of funding.</p> <p>Please refer to the <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p>

<p>For further information about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about this project, please contact Professor Jiannis Pachos by email to <a href="mailto:J.K.Pachos@leeds.ac.uk">J.K.Pachos@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>