Совет по науке и технологиям Великобритании выделил 6 миллионов фунтов на поддержку семи молодых физиков

STFC announces latest Ernest Rutherford Fellows Seven early-career physicists have been awarded Ernest Rutherford Fellowships, supporting research from the search for dark matter to the physics of black holes. Backed by an investment of 6 million the new fellows will each lead their own research programme at a UK university over the course of the fellowship. The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has awarded this years cohort of seven researchers the 2025 Ernest Rutherford Fellowship. Supporting early-career researchers The fellowship is one of the main routes by which early-career physicists in the UK are supported to lead independent research in particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics, and to develop their careers. The 2025 cohorts work spans: - planetary defence - the search for dark matter at the Large Hadron Collider - new X-ray technology - the hidden oceans of icy moons - high-frequency gravitational waves - the earliest moments of the Universe - the internal structure of black holes Congratulations to the 2025 Ernest Rutherford Fellows Now in its 16th consecutive year, the programme has supported more than 100 early-career researchers, a number of whom have gone on to take up permanent positions at UK research institutes. Professor Grahame Blair, Executive Director of Programmes at STFC, said: Reading through the proposals from this years Ernest Rutherford applicants, what stands out is the range of questions our early-career researchers are choosing to take on, from the origins of the Universe to the physics of what happens inside a black hole. We had a strong field of applicants this year, which made the selection process a difficult one. Id like to congratulate the 2025 Ernest Rutherford Fellows, and I look forward to seeing where their research takes them. Meet the new Ernest Rutherford Fellows SPACEFORCE: studying planetary airbursts and Cratering: explosions and fluxes from objects resulting in catastrophic events Dr Aleksandra Sokolowska, The University of Glasgow Earths atmosphere usually protects the planet by slowing and breaking up incoming asteroids and comets, but occasionally larger objects still cause significant damage through airbursts or surface impacts. Historic events such as Tunguska (1908), Chelyabinsk (2013), and the ancient Chicxulub impact highlight the destructive potential of these events, which are now recognised as hazards requiring monitoring and mitigation efforts. A major challenge is the lack of reliable data: only two well-documented airbursts exist, and there are no direct measurements of thermal radiation from impacts. Current models rely heavily on outdated nuclear test data, despite clear differences in physics. To address these gaps, the proposed work focuses on studying similar events on other planetary bodies, especially Mars and the Moon, to improve understanding of airbursts, impact flashes, and associated thermal effects. The project aims to analyse planetary datasets, improve modelling of airburst impacts and radiation, and develop new computational tools that better simulate these processes. It also proposes an international collaboration to design a Mars mission dedicated to observing airbursts and impact events. The expected outcomes include improved risk assessment capabilities, advances in planetary defence, and broader scientific insight into impact phenomena. Additional benefits include informing policy, supporting future space missions, and engaging the public through citizen science initiatives. The research is expected to feed into planetary defence and risk assessment, as well as public engagement through citizen science. Scouting for dark sectors with the CMS experiment Dr Benedikt Maier, Imperial College London Dark matter remains one of the biggest mysteries in physics, and the Large Hadron Collider is a key tool for detecting it. However, current search methods, especially in CMS, miss many possible signals. This project aims to overcome these limitations by introducing AI-driven techniques into real-time data selection, improving sensitivity to previously undetectable dark matter scenarios. By advancing data acquisition and analysis capabilities for the LHC and its future upgrade, the work will enhance the chances of discovering dark matter. These innovations could significantly deepen our understanding of the universe and open new frontiers in particle physics. Next-generation ultrafast X-ray spectroscopy with laser-plasma accelerators Dr Brendan Kettle, Imperial College London This project develops advanced X-ray sources based on laser-plasma accelerators, which can produce extremely short and powerful X-ray pulses about 1000 times shorter than those used in conventional facilities. These ultrafast pulses enable scientists to capture snapshots of processes happening on the timescale of electron motion. This opens up new possibilities to study extreme conditions such as those in planetary interiors, fusion reactions, and advanced materials. The research aims to both improve the performance of these X-ray sources and demonstrate their capabilities through experiments in physics, materials science, and industry. By increasing brightness, stability, and spectral quality, the project will enable first-of-their-kind measurements and make high-end X-ray technology more accessible and affordable. This could expand scientific research globally and strengthen the UKs leadership in this rapidly growing field. Tidal magnetohydrodynamics of water and metallic ocean worlds Dr Hamish Hay, University of St Andrews This project focuses on understanding hidden oceans inside planets and moons, including both water oceans and molten metal cores, by studying how their flowing, electrically conductive fluids generate magnetic fields. Although spacecraft can detect these magnetic signals, current theories cannot fully explain how tidal forces and electromagnetic effects interact in these environments. The research will develop the first self-consistent models linking tidal flows and magnetic fields, enabling scientists to interpret upcoming spacecraft data from missions to Europa, Ganymede, and Mercury. It will also produce open-source tools to infer internal ocean dynamics and explore how tides may drive planetary magnetic fields. Overall, the project aims to transform our understanding of subsurface oceans and maximise the scientific return of major space missions. Unveiling the high frequency gravitational wave (HFGW) universe: from the lab to the stars Dr Jamie McDonald, The University of Manchester Gravitational waves have opened a new way to study the Universe, but research has mostly focused on low-frequency signals. This project targets high-frequency gravitational waves, which could arise from exotic phenomena such as primordial black holes, cosmic strings, or new fundamental physics, offering a unique window into previously unexplored energy scales. The research will both predict the strength and sources of HFGWs and develop new technologies to detect them, including advanced microwave cavities that can also search for axion dark matter. By contributing to experiments like Manchester Axion Novel Cavity eXperiment and international collaborations, this work aims to establish high-frequency gravitational wave detection as a powerful new tool. This will potentially lead to groundbreaking discoveries in physics. Revealing the hidden Universe with precision cosmology Dr Lucien Heurtier, Kings College London The Big Bang theory explains how the Universe began and successfully accounts for its expansion, early radiation, and formation of elements. However, major mysteries remain, including what caused the Universes rapid early expansion, what most of it is made of, and why matter dominates over antimatter. With powerful new observatories coming online, the next few years will provide unprecedented data to test these questions. This research programme aims to explore quantum effects in the early Universe, possible primordial black holes, and new cosmic phases, linking fundamental physics to observations. It will help interpret upcoming data and strengthen the UKs leadership in cosmology while advancing our understanding of the Universes origins and laws. Unravelling spacetime: classical, semiclassical, and quantum Dr Robie Hennigar, Durham University Black holes are extreme cosmic objects that strongly warp space and time, making them key testing grounds for Einsteins gravity and raising deep questions about predictability and information in physics. This project focuses on understanding how black holes form, evolve, and behave internally especially in regions where current theories break down, such as singularities and inner horizons. It explores whether quantum effects can resolve these issues and seeks consistent models that go beyond classical physics. The research is timely due to rapid advances in high-precision gravitational observations and efforts to connect black holes with quantum gravity and cosmology. By combining methods from dynamical gravity, quantum theory, and holography, the project aims to improve both fundamental understanding and interpretation of experimental data. It balances ambitious, high-impact goals with practical, lower-risk outcomes, leveraging the researchers expertise to advance a long-term, internationally significant research agenda. ( Press Release Image: https://photos.webwire.com/prmedia/7/358838/358838-1.jpg ) WebWireID358838 This news content was configured by WebWire editorial staff. Linking is permitted. News Release Distribution and Press Release Distribution Services Provided by WebWire.