Doctoral School of Physics

The Doctoral School of Physics of Eötvös Loránd University was founded in 1994. The Institute of Physics at Eötvös Loránd University, ranked highly on the various international lists (like CHE), employs almost one hundred highly qualified permanent staff members working in various branches of experimental and theoretical physics.

In addition, the Institute collaborates with the equally well-qualified research staff of the institutes of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Thanks to our supervisors coming from these institutions, our students can have access to the largest international research facilities (LHC at CERN, RHIC at BNL, LIGO, etc.) in particle physics, astronomy and astrophysics, as well as to a unique computing facility (200 PC's connected to form 'Poor Man's Supercomputer), which is used extremely successfully in large scale lattice QCD simulations. We collaborate with several additional research institutes and universities outside Hungary, and regularly have visitors from abroad doing research or giving courses here. Thus our students have many opportunities to join  international research activities and establish professional contacts early in their career.

STUDY PROGRAMME

The research topics covered by the School within the International Degree Programs are organized in three thematic programs:

• Materials Science and Solid State Physics
• Particle Physics and Astronomy
• Statistical Physics, Biological Physics and the Physics of Quantum Systems

The program is research-oriented, the students start to work on their chosen topic under the guidance of a supervisor, immediately after enrolling in the program. In the first two years, students are required to attend 8 courses as well, and complete the corresponding exams. In order to get the degree,  students must have at least two papers published (or accepted for publication) in internationally renowned journals. The degree can be defended after 6 semesters, the earliest. The students should submit a short progress report  after each semester.

Research at the School is done in close collaboration with all major research institutes of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (including Wigner Research Centre, Materials Science Research Institute, Astronomical  Institute, and Institute of Enzymology).

Courses to be taken in the first 4 semesters can be chosen,  with the consent of the advisor, from a list of courses depending on the research topic of the student. The list is available from here.

The current research topics you may find here.

For more information about the doctoral programme visit thehomepage of the Doctoral database.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Our graduates apply successfully for post-doctoral positions all around the world, and later many of them get tenure or tenure track positions at universities or research institutes. Some of our students will pursue their research career in the non-academic environment of large international research institutions, tied to high-tech development.

OVERVIEW PhD in PHYSICS

Admission requirements

The requirements listed here apply to Stipendium Hungaricum applicants, too.

A master's degree in physics or in a closely related field is a mandatory requirement. Applicants still pursuing their MSc studies should get their degree by the end of June 2018.

Research program plan arranged by one of the member of the faculty.

Language proficiency requirements

A good command of English is essential. If English is not the applicant’s mother tongue, or if s/he hasn’t pursued her/his university studies in English, a language certificate proving at least B2, but preferably C1 level of proficiency is required. Only language examinations recognised by the Hungarian Accreditation Centre for Foreign Language Examinations are accepted (e.g.: IELTS).

Required documents

• Bachelor-level degree
• Master-level degree
• Transcript of records
• CV
• Research plan
• Letter of recommendation (optional)
  
• Application form
• Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid)
• Passport photo
• Medical certificate
• Certificate of clean criminal records
• Copy of application fee transfer
• Certificate of English language skills (except if your mother tongue is English, or your previous studies was in English)
  

Application procedure

This applies to Stipendium Hungaricum applicants, too, and should run in parallel to their application for a scholarship at Tempus Public Foundation.

Well before submitting the application:

• Applicants should agree on their exact research topic with the relevant supervisor, and should make a research plan approved by her/him. Please, visit the Academic staff of Doctoral School of Physics here, and the current research topics here;

• Even if no thesis topics are announced by someone whose research field you find to be closely related  to your interest, please  contact her/him via email, and agree on a topic suitable for you, provided your knowledge and research experience are relevant to the subject;
• Upon mutual agreement, ask the potential supervisor to announce this new topic on the above referenced websites;
• Agree with the supervisor on the outlines of the research, and  prepare a research plan which should be submitted signed by the supervisor and  you;
• Fill in the application form that can be downloaded from here.

The application is done by sending all the admission requirements to International programme coordinator at inter[at]ttk.elte.hu by May 30. 2018 the latest.

Procedure of the entrance examination

This applies to Stipendium Hungaricum applicants, too.

The application package is reviewed by an admission committee. Then the applicant is expected to take an oral entrance examination in the period: late June, early July. If a personal meeting is impossible, the interview is held through Skype or telephone. On this interview conducted by tutors, applicants will be asked about their prior studies, research experience, thesis work, motivation and theoretical knowledge.

The decision on admission or rejection is made at the earliest date possible, but by the end of July 2017, the latest.

Criteria for ranking at the admission procedure shall include:

1. previous university achievement (examinations, comprehensive examinations, qualification of degree)
2. achievements related to previous research work (awards obtained in students’ academic circles, publications in the particular professional area)
3. the feasibility of the research program.

Application deadline

30 MAY 2018

Start date

01 September 2018

Application fee

 * Reduced tuition fee: 350 EUR, if you research outside the University territory.

Contacts

Head of the Doctoral School of Physics

Prof. Tamás TÉL

Program leader

Materials Science and Solid State Physics

Prof. István GROMA, groma[at]metal.elte.hu

Particle Physics and Astronomy

Prof. László PALLA, palla[at]ludens.elte.hu

Statistical Physics, Biological Physics and the Physics of Quantum Systems

Prof. Jenő KÜRTI, kurti[at]virag.elte.hu

International program coordinator

Ms. Éva NAGY, inter [at] ttk.elte.hu

Csatolmány: 
Doctoral_programme_Physics_2017-2018.pdf