phd physics in new zealand

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A doctorate is the highest research qualification obtainable within the university system. Completing a PhD typically takes 3–4 years, and involves developing, conducting and writing up original research in a thesis that contributes significantly to the student's chosen field.

A PhD enables you to become a leader in science and a member of the next generation of researchers, and is a required qualification for most University academic positions. However, a PhD in physics can also lead to many other high level careers in industry, business, government, and private scientific institutions.

See our Careers page for more information.

Prerequisite

Entry to the PhD programme is determined on the basis of the student's performance in one of the following:

• BSc Honours (with research component)
• MSc degree (with research component)
• Equivalent research experience

The formal entry decision is made by the University's Graduate Research Committee, who must be satisfied that the student has demonstrated the ability to complete a successful doctorate.

Requirements for degree

The degree is awarded on the basis of a thesis presented after a minimum of two and a half years of full-time research or four years of part-time research. The maximum period for the degree is normally eight years.

The research is conducted under the supervision of one or more members of the academic staff of the Department of Physics. Usually there is one primary supervisor and a secondary supervisor, but in some cases an additional joint supervisor from another department or research organization may also be appointed.

For some students who require specific background for their chosen thesis area, one or two graduate (400 level) papers may be required.

Probation and Annual Progress Reviews

The first year of a PhD is probationary, and continuation beyond one year is dependent on the student demonstrating satisfactory progress to their PhD committee. The PhD committee includes the supervisors and other academic staff members assigned by the Head of the Physics Department. The committee meets at least twice with the student in the first year, and assesses progress and helps identify problems or difficulties that may arise. Most students continue their programme and then meet annually with their committee to ensure the project is on track.

Some recent PhD theses from our department

Winter sea ice growth in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica Sea ice near an ice shelf The 17–19 January 2005 atmospheric electron precipitation event

Instrumentation and Inference

Application of Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods in electrical impedance tomography

Energy Studies

Renewable energy projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) An investigation on the co-production of biodiesel and methane from microalgae Theoretical & experimental investigations of transient Rayleigh-Benard-Marangoni convection enhanced mass transfer Numerical study of heat pump contact drying

Experimental Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics

Quantum computing hardware based on Rare-Earth-Ion doped Whispering-Gallery mode resonators Optical rephasing techniques with Rare Earth Ion dopants for applications in quantum information science Optical motion detection Isolating and manipulating single atoms A versatile collider for ultracold atoms

Quantum Theory

Theoretical Study of the Trapped Dipolar Bose Gas in the Ultra-Cold Regime The Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov theory of BEC Dynamic effects of a feshbach resonance on Bragg scattering from a Bose-Einstein Condensate Theory of cold dipolar and toroidal gases Anomalous Dissipation in Bose Gases: Analytic Theory of Energy Damping Quantum Analogues of Two-Dimensional Classical Turbulence

Applying to do a PhD

Applications from well-qualified candidates for PhD study in Physics are welcome at any time. The degree can commence at any time during the year, and applicants may be of any nationality. Please follow the steps outlined below.

• Our Research , which gives the general areas of research and provides internal links to individual research groups.
• Research Expertise , which has a table of key words and links to staff profiles.

When you have chosen a research area of interest, send an email to our Research Committee at [email protected] stating that you are interested in applying to do a PhD in our department, noting the area you wish to work in, and naming the staff member(s) you are interested in working with. Please include the following information:

• a recent academic CV,
• academic record with explanation of grading
• your country of citizenship,
• contact information for at least two academic referees, and
• a brief statement of why you want to study for a PhD in our department.
• You will shortly be informed by our Departmental Research Committee as to whether or not there is a staff member who wishes to consider you as a potential PhD student. If no staff member is available then unfortunately your application cannot proceed further.
• The interested staff member will contact you to discuss your application, and potential projects.
• Once you have obtained agreement from a staff member to supervise your PhD, you now submit an application to University of Otago for entry to the PhD programme , and usually also for a University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship. Your supervisor will assist you to write the section on the thesis proposal.

International students will need to provide certified evidence of English language proficiency.

Read further important information on language proficiency

Scholarships and Fees

Typically our PhD students apply for a University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship , which is merit based, has a duration of three years, and is open to all nationalities. The scholarship pays the tuition fees and students find they can live comfortably in Dunedin on the scholarship stipend. Some staff members may be able to provide scholarships from their research grants.

International students

The Physics department, and the University, welcome international students.

A lot of useful information can be found on the international student web page

Related Info

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• Otago Scholarships
• International Office
• Maori Student Support

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PhD Physics

Course code.

Qualifications are made up of courses. Some universities call these papers. Each course is numbered using six digits.

The fourth number of the course code shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).

Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.

Course planning information

General progression requirements, textbooks needed.

There are no set texts for this course.

Get more information

Ask an Academic Adviser for more information about this course.

Enrol in this course

You can enrol to study this course in the student portal if you have already been accepted to study at Massey. New students need to apply for admission to a qualification first.

If you want to study a course without completing a qualification, you can apply for a Certificate of Proficiency .

Useful planning information

• Find more courses or qualifications
• Planning your study
• Application process overview
• Semester dates
• Fees and funding
• Scholarships and awards search
• International students’ information

We have 25 Physics (new zealand) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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Physics (new zealand) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Novel broadband terahertz (thz) wave sources using magnetic heusler alloys, phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Optical Frequency Combs

Fully-funded phd positions in bacterial experimental evolution and computational modelling at the university of auckland, new zealand, ultrafast spectroscopy and organic light-emitting materials, optical tweezers, optical coherence tomography (oct), spectroscopy and modelling of rare-earth ions in quantum-information candidate materials, approximating many-body quantum states using deep learning, superconductors that survive ultra-high magnetic fields: revealing the role of symmetry, optimization of superconducting devices by mean of quantum field theories, space optical communications, competition funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Mechanical Measurements using Ion Pipette Aspiration: Collaborative Experiments

Space domain awareness object characterisation, phd project: optical study of protein crystals in space, drop impacts on microstructured surfaces.

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Filtering Results

8 Best universities for Physics in New Zealand

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in New Zealand ranked based on their research performance in Physics. A graph of 3.16M citations received by 126K academic papers made by 8 universities in New Zealand was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Auckland

For Physics

2. University of Otago

3. University of Canterbury

4. Massey University

5. Victoria University of Wellington

6. University of Waikato

7. Auckland University of Technology

8. Lincoln University, New Zealand

The best cities to study Physics in New Zealand based on the number of universities and their ranks are Auckland , Dunedin , Christchurch , and Palmerston North .

Physics subfields in New Zealand

Why a New Zealand PhD?

New zealand’s phd package.

International PhD students in New Zealand enjoy the following benefits:

How to apply

Apply now to your preferred university:.

Victoria University of Wellington

The University of Waikato

The University of Otago

Massey University

Lincoln University

The University of Canterbury

AUT University

The University of Auckland

Jessica Patiño-Pérez | Colombian PhD student

Still have questions?

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Why study Physics?

In the  School of Science , Physics is taught at a postgraduate level. By studying with us you will develop a thorough understanding of theoretical physics and gain advanced knowledge in areas such as quantum theory and biophysics.

Many famous scientists, such as Einstein and Newton were physicists. Physicists are versed in mathematics, computer programming, experimental science and the design of complex instruments. They are among the most versatile scientists, able to easily cross boundaries into other disciplines such as chemistry, biology, medicine, Earth and planetary sciences. There are biophysicists, geophysicists, astrophysicists and neurophysicists.

At the University of Waikato our academic staff are leading the way in biophysics. both experimental and theoretical, including measuring and modelling  the electrical activity in the brain for applications such as anaesthesia and transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Career Opportunities

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School of Science

Study physics in these qualifications.

• Postgraduate Diploma
• Master of Philosophy
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Certificate
• Postgraduate Certificate

Physics papers

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Visit our  Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships.

Physics Subject regulations

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Medical Physics

Introduction.

Medical Physics applies the concepts and methods of physics to the diagnosis and treatment of human disease.

Modern medicine relies heavily on many physical tools, techniques, and principles which have been developed in the physical sciences. The complexity and precision required in the operation of modern-day diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, and the quest to constantly improve medical technology, has led to the subspecialty of Medical Physics.

A medical physicist applies scientific knowledge and technological skills to help prevent, diagnose, and treat many types of disease and health conditions. They are a mix of research and clinical scientists who play a pivotal role in providing physics support to various areas of the health sector to achieve better outcomes for patients. They also ensure the safety of staff and patients exposed to radiation.

A medical physicist is typically a member of multidisciplinary team and may be involved in several activities relating to diagnosis and/or treatment in radiology, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy.

UC offers both a clinical and a non-clinical option for Medical Physics. The clinical option is only chosen by students who are currently employed at an Aotearoa New Zealand District Health Board. The two options have an identical course structure and lead equally to potential clinical employment.

What will my study involve? keyboard_arrow_down

What will my study involve.

• Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury has the only internationally accredited medical physics academic programme in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Study Medical Physics as a clinical or non-clinical degree, preparing for either a career as a clinical scientist implementing treatment programmes, or as a research scientist studying scientific theories on medical diagnosis and therapy.
• Accessible experts: our teaching staff are actively involved in researching advanced radiotherapy techniques, x-ray detection and imaging, and neurological magnetic resonance imaging.

Courses keyboard_arrow_down

• See all postgraduate courses in Medical Physics

You can choose to major in Medical Physics or in Medical Physics (Clinical).

UC offers the following postgraduate programmes in Medical Physics:

• Bachelor of Science with Honours
• Postgraduate Certificate in Science
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science
• Master of Science
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Medical Physics (Clinical) programme is offered in the Postgraduate Certificate in Science, the Master of Science, and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

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Career opportunities.

Medical physics provides an intellectually stimulating, multidisciplinary environment; personally rewarding work that may have a direct effect on patient care; and excellent career prospects in a field with a recognised shortage of suitably qualified graduates.

Medical physics graduates are employed by hospitals in various department’s including radiation oncology, diagnostic radiology, and nuclear medicine. They are involved in creating new devices and technology, both in industry and academic environments. They also help to regulate the safe use of medical technology, including radiation safety.

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• General Discussion
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New to PhD in Control Systems?

• Thread starter Ricardo507
• Start date Jul 6, 2024
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Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora apologises after nursing graduates have job offers retracted

Isaac Davison

Some Wintec nursing graduates who sought matches with local workplaces like Waikato Hospital were emailed job offers only to have the offers withdrawn shortly afterwards. Photo / NZME

Nursing graduates are confused and “heartbroken” after being sent job offers by Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora last week before having those offers retracted.

A large number of graduates who completed their Bachelor of Nursing degree at Wintec in Hamilton were emailed by Health NZ last week with offers of full-time employment in their region.

However, those emails were recalled around five minutes later.

Graduates sought clarification from the Nurse Entry to Practice Programme (NETP) and a week later were told by email that the offers were sent in error.

One graduate in the Waikato programme said he believed that the majority of his class of 88 students received the emails.

“It came as a bit of a shock,” he said. “A lot of people felt they were led with a carrot on a stick, and now they’re left in the lurch.”

The ACE Nursing organisation, which is responsible for matching graduates with employers, had told them they would be in contact when vacancies arose, but they were unsure how long this would take.

The graduate nurse - who asked to remain anonymous out of concern about his job prospects - said that when he began his degree, students were advised that if they went through the NETP they were practically guaranteed a job.

“Then the day of actually hiring comes and they don’t need nurses, apparently.”

Health New Zealand regional director Waikato Chris Lowry acknowledged the error, which appeared to be limited to the Waikato region.

“We made a mistake and we’re really sorry about what has happened,” Lowry said in a statement.

“We apologise to the nursing graduates involved and will be contacting them again to reassure them of our commitment to working on finding them placements.

“This was a human error, and we are sorry for the distress this has caused.”

Lowry said Health NZ had sought to place as many graduate nurses as possible nationwide. It would continue to support those who had not found jobs in the 2024 intake to find employment within Health NZ or the wider health sector.

Last month, the organisation’s leadership denied there was a hiring freeze after claims by a nursing union that graduate transition programmes were being paused.

Chief executive Margie Apa later said Health NZ was aiming to place 535 nurse graduates into roles across the health network by the end of June.

Another Waikato graduate said many of her classmates were told by ACE in mid-July that they had not been matched with an employer within Health NZ and would have to find jobs elsewhere.

A week later, she and many others received the apparent job offers and the recalled email.

“This is incredibly heartbreaking and the uncertainty for our future is unbearable,” she said.

They were “in the dark” about whether they should be applying in other regions or overseas, she said. She was considering moving to Australia, which has run aggressive recruitment campaigns for New Zealand nurses.

She said the latest intake of nurses began their degrees during Covid-19 and expected there to be high demand for their skills when they graduated.

“For years we have been told there is a shortage of nurses, you are doing the right thing, good job. And then you get to the end and are told, actually there is no budget for you.”

Data published by Health New Zealand shows the workforce has gained 1200 nurses in the last quarter alone.

At a press conference last week , Apa said Health NZ had been more successful than expected in recruiting nurses to fill a workforce shortage. The vacancy rate had fallen from 12-15% when she took on the role to 6%.

That led to an overspend on nurse recruitment which, along with pay equity increases, had contributed to a deficit at the organisation.

Isaac Davison is an Auckland-based reporter who covers health issues. He joined the Herald in 2008 and has previously covered the environment, politics and social issues.

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WVU physicist explains the arrival of new radiation ring in Earth's magnetosphere

Extreme solar flares and a geomagnetic storm hit Earth on May 10-11, 2024 disrupting Earth’s magnetosphere and resulted in various disruptions including certain GPS functionalities. It also provided us with a stunning arrangement of colorful aurorae across the globe.  This geomagnetic storm was the most powerful storm on record since 1989.

A unique parting gift from this geomagnetic storm was a new radiation belt circling Earth. 

The radiation belts are called Van Allen belts. Named after the discoverer, Dr. James Van Allen, these rings are zones of energetic charged particles and take residence in Earth’s magnetosphere, responding to solar wind and cosmic rays, and contain harmful particles that can interact with Earth’s atmosphere. 

Normally, there are two resident Van Allen belts; an inner and outer belt. Both surround Earth but following the 2024 geomagnetic storm, a third Van Allen belt was discovered by NASA’s Colorado Inner Radiation Belt Experiment, CubeSat. This new, temporary radiation ring of charged, high-energy particles now circles the Earth and brings new questions forward for scientists. 

Scientists don’t know how long Earth will have the third Van Allen belt, so experts are keeping a close eye on it, particularly with watchful eyes as these radiation belts could present a hazardous radiative environment for spacecraft operating within it, or passing through it.

With the addition of this mysterious third belt, what can we expect? 

West Virginia University Physics Professor, Weichao Tu  (right) is an expert in Van Allen radiation belts and whose research focuses on modeling the trapped radiation environment in near-Earth space.  When asked about the newest belt, she gave valuable insight to the new discovery.

“The Van Allen radiation belts around Earth are truly fascinating,” states Dr. Tu. “This discovery offers an exciting opportunity for scientists, including my team at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at WVU , to investigate how this third belt forms after such intense solar activity, how long it might last, and what implications it could have for space exploration and satellite technology.”

Usually astronauts on the International Space Station don’t pass through a belt as they are under the sphere of concern, but missions that move beyond the belts will pass through a ring of radiation, specifically through the additional ring.

The upcoming NASA Artemis missions will transport astronauts through both inner and outer belts, but now they may need to add on precautions for a third radiation belt in the journey. 

When asked about the upcoming missions, like Artemis, Tu says “All missions passing through the radiation belts must be equipped with adequate shielding to protect their sensitive electronics from high radiation levels. The discovery of a third belt introduces increased radiation in areas typically free from it. Depending on the mission’s orbit, additional precautions may be necessary to account for this heightened radiation exposure. Therefore, understanding and predicting the behavior of radiation belts around Earth, including this new third belt, is crucial for the future of space exploration and satellite technology.” 

For more information on Van Allen belts and Tu’s research in the WVU Department of Physics and Astronomy and in the WVU Center for Kinetic Plasma Physics, see links below. 

https://tuweichao.wixsite.com/home

https://kineticplasma.wvu.edu/

hal/08/07/24

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