Looking for interdisciplinary institutes/groups (Europe preferred)

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on seeking interdisciplinary PhD opportunities in Europe, particularly in physics-related fields. The individual is open to both theoretical and experimental research, with a background in semiconductors and cold atoms/condensed matter. They express interest in engaging with topics in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Informatics, and potentially biology or chemistry, although they lack strong expertise in the latter. They highlight the challenge of applying for interdisciplinary positions without a specific research topic in mind, noting that this approach may be unconventional. A resource for finding physics-related PhD openings in Europe is shared, indicating a variety of interdisciplinary projects available.
Sangunity
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Hi everyone, first time posting here! ;)

Does anyone have good suggestions for interdisciplinary groups (preferably based in Europe), focusing on a physics topic/problem? I am considering doing a PhD, and currently, I am doing the broadest research for places. I don't mind if the research is theoretical or experimental, and my best-case scenario would be a position with a good balance of theory-experiment. Currently, the areas of physics in which I have experience (student) of doing research are Semiconductors, and Cold atoms/Condensed matter (theoretical), but I am super open to other topics. Besides my BSc in Theoretical Physics and my MSc in General Physics, I have experience with EDA chip design, informatics, and a strong math background.

DIEP is an excellent example of what I am looking for, but I was wondering if there are similar places. For example, this PhD https://www.d-iep.org/phdtopoinfo they offer is in the ballpark of what I am looking for.
 
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Besides physics and math, what other disciplines are you interested in for your PhD research?
 
I am more than willing (plus comfortable and curious) to engage with topics in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or Informatics. Potentially something connected with biology/chemistry would be fine too (in the line of devices for biology or biophysical topics), but these are not my strong suit. ;)
 
Usually the way this works is someone has a research topic in mind that crosses the boundaries between disciplines. This is different - you want to do something interdisciplinary but don;t have a strong preference as to what it is. I think this will be a hard sell, not least because its "backwards" compared to most applications.
 
Sangunity said:
I am more than willing (plus comfortable and curious) to engage with topics in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or Informatics. Potentially something connected with biology/chemistry would be fine too (in the line of devices for biology or biophysical topics), but these are not my strong suit. ;)
Here's one listing of physics-related PhD openings in Europe;

https://www.findaphd.com/phds/physics/?10M7W0&Keywords=europe

A quick glance indicates many interdisciplinary projects involving the fields you've listed..
 
I’ve been looking through the curricula of several European theoretical/mathematical physics MSc programs (ETH, Oxford, Cambridge, LMU, ENS Paris, etc), and I’m struck by how little emphasis they place on advanced fundamental courses. Nearly everything seems to be research-adjacent: string theory, quantum field theory, quantum optics, cosmology, soft matter physics, black hole radiation, etc. What I don’t see are the kinds of “second-pass fundamentals” I was hoping for, things like...
I graduated with a BSc in Physics in 2020. Since there were limited opportunities in my country (mostly teaching), I decided to improve my programming skills and began working in IT, first as a software engineer and later as a quality assurance engineer, where I’ve now spent about 3 years. While this career path has provided financial stability, I’ve realized that my excitement and passion aren’t really there, unlike what I felt when studying or doing research in physics. Working in IT...

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