Global Doctoral Scholarship – Bonn-StAndrews
Bonn-St Andrews PhD studentship: Continuities and discontinuities in understanding the origin of mass
The University of St Andrews and the University of Bonn are pleased to offer a scholarship funded by both institutions, to support an exceptional student undertaking doctoral research on this project.
Application deadline Friday 21 February 2025.
How to apply
Application assessment
Eligibility
Informal enquiries regarding this scholarship may be addressed to Isobel Falconer ([email protected]) and Bernadette Lessel ([email protected]).
Further details about the project, supervisors, the award, St Andrews and Bonn, etc, below.
Project description
The origin of mass is one of the deepest questions in science. Today’s quantum theoretic belief is that mass is a manifestation of the resistance particles experience when interacting with the so-called Higgs field. Why each particle type acquires a unique mass remains unclear, and mass itself becomes a problematic concept since its main physical role is to mediate the gravitational interaction between material bodies — yet no current theory of gravitation reconciles with quantum field theory.
The question has a long history. Western scientists, from Newton’s era until the late 19th century, viewed mass as a constant intrinsic property of material objects. Then, mathematisation of field theories of electromagnetism and gravitation by Maxwell and others opened opportunities for deeper explanations. The electromagnetic world view emerged in Germany and Britain around 1900. In this view, all properties of matter, including mass, were believed to be fully reduceable to properties of special states of the electromagnetic field. The idea is strikingly similar to that of the Higgs mechanism; in both cases the property of mass is not intrinsic to matter itself but is reduced to the specifics of something else — but is there a historical continuity?
While the historical study of mass is well developed, the history of ideas about how mass is generated remains under-explored. This project allows for a conceptual and philosophical comparison of theories of mass generation between the late 19th and 20th centuries. Its scope expects the student to define their own project within it, while ensuring strategic fit. One aspect of an investigation of the potential continuities and discontinuities between the electromagnetic framework, the Higgs mechanism, and potentially non-Western concepts of mass generation could be the direct mathematical and philosophical study and comparison of the models employed. An alternative, less formal, focus could be the role of the Scottish community of physicists, as both Peter Higgs, after whom the Higgs mechanism is named, and key figures in reducing matter to the electromagnetic field originated or worked in Scotland. Exploration of exchanges and movements by figures far less known than Maxwell, Einstein, or Higgs, around the local cultures of the global – including non-Western –community of physicists, could provide new insights into how knowledge circulated to bridge the gap between ideas around 1900 and those in the late 20th century. The PhD project, “Continuities and Discontinuities in Understanding the Origin of Mass” will provide new integrated philosophical and historical perspectives on the ideas of mass underpinning the building blocks of matter and fundamental interactions.
While a foundational knowledge of physics and mathematics is essential, the student can propose their approach to incorporating non-formal factors influencing historical developments. The anticipated schedule is:
- Sept 2025-Sept 2026 Bonn
- Sept 2026-Sept 2027 St Andrews
- Sept 2027-April 2028 Bonn
- May 2028 – Feb 2029 St Andrews
This provides ample opportunity for archival work in both countries, for which additional small grants will be sought. In Britain relevant archives are in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cambridge and London. From Bonn, close relevant archives are in Göttingen, Freiburg and Amsterdam.
The major output will be a thesis meeting the requirements of either Bonn or St Andrews (decided early, in consultation with the student). Should they wish, the student will be supported in exploring digital research methodologies and/or dissemination methods for wider impact and public engagement.
In summary, exploring continuities and discontinuities across time and place in ideas of mass generation will harness the power of interdisciplinarity to provide new understanding of how foundational concepts evolve across different scientific cultures. This project bridges historical inquiry with philosophical analysis, fostering a deeper comprehension of a fundamental concept in physics.
The project will be managed jointly between the History of Mathematics Group in the School of Mathematics & Statistics at St Andrews and the Lichtenberg Group for History and Philosophy of Physics within the Institut für Philosophie at Bonn. The lead supervisors will be Prof. Isobel Falconer (St Andrews) and Prof. Dennis Lehmkuhl (Bonn). The expanded supervisory team includes also Dr Alex Russell (St Andrews) and Dr Bernadette Lessel (Bonn), who will play a major role in ensuring coverage of all areas required for this highly interdisciplinary project.
Informal enquiries regarding this scholarship may be addressed to Isobel Falconer ([email protected]) and Bernadette Lessel ([email protected]).
Eligibility – University of St Andrews
Admission and scholarship criteria of both universities must be met.
For St Andrews, please refer to details of how to apply and of entry requirements here: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/apply/postgraduate/research/.
Both universities are firmly committed to the progression of women, and other historically under-represented groups.
Domicile for fee status
No restrictions.
Geographical criteria
No restrictions.
Level of study
Postgraduate Research (Doctoral)
Mode of study
Full time
Students will enrol at both institutions from the outset. It is expected that the successful student will begin the programme of study at Bonn to initiate the research and move to St Andrews at a later date, full details to be agreed with the supervisory team and the respective institutions. Overall, the programme of study will include 50% at each institution. The student may start their degree at any point in the academic year 2025-2026 prior to a final entry date of 27 May 2026 subject to agreement with the supervisory team.
Schools
Mathematics & Statistics (St Andrews) and Philosophie (Bonn)
Application assessment
- Academic merit
- Research potential: e.g. previous research experience or employment, published papers
- Alignment of research interests with project description
- Personal and professional development: e.g. non-research work experience
- Communication skills, e.g. previous talks, writing or public outreach
Additional criteria
Applicants must not already (i) hold a doctoral degree; or (ii) be matriculated for a doctoral degree at either the University of St Andrews or the University of Bonn (or another institution).
About the award
Year of entry
2025-2026 academic year.
Duration of award
Up to 3.5 years. The student will be expected to spend approximately half of the award term at the University of St Andrews and half at the University of Bonn. The successful candidate will be expected to have completed the doctorate degree by the end of the award term. The award term excludes the continuation period and any extension periods.
Value of award
The funding comprises a scholarship equivalent of a full-fees award and stipend for a period of up to 3.5 years. It is expected that the student will spend half of the scholarship term at the University of St Andrews and half at the University of Bonn:
- For the period spent at the University of St Andrews, the scholarship will comprise a full fees award and a stipend paid at the current UK Research Council rate (£19,237 each year in 2024–2025)
- For the period spent at the University of Bonn, the scholarship will comprise a monthly maintenance grant of €1,500. The University of Bonn does not charge any tuition fees, but students must pay a so-called social contribution once per semester (currently €315 per semester).
Unless otherwise specified, the scholarships do not cover:
- Any continuation, extension, or resubmission period/fees.
- A research training grant or another equivalent award for research expenses.
- Support for travel, immigration, health insurance and related charges between the partner institutions.
Tuition or maintenance award
Tuition and maintenance.
About St Andrews
Doctoral Research at St Andrews
As a doctoral student at the University of St Andrews you will be part of a growing, vibrant, and intellectually stimulating postgraduate community. St Andrews is one of the leading research-intensive universities in the world and offers a postgraduate experience of remarkable richness.
St Leonard’s Postgraduate College is at the heart of the postgraduate community of St Andrews. The College supports all postgraduates and aims to provide opportunities for postgraduates to come together, socially and intellectually, and make new connections.
St Leonard’s Postgraduate College works closely with the Postgraduate Society which is one of the most active societies within the Students’ Association. All doctoral students are automatically welcomed into the Postgraduate Society when they join the University.
In addition to the research training that doctoral students complete in their home School, doctoral students at St Andrews have access to GRADskills – a free, comprehensive training programme to support their academic, professional, and personal development.
About Bonn
Doctoral Research at the University of Bonn
As a doctoral student at the University of Bonn you will be part of a vibrant and intellectually stimulating academic community. The University of Bonn is one of the leading research-intensive universities in the world. It is one of only 11 German Universities of Excellence and the only German university with six Clusters of Excellence.
In addition to the research training that doctoral students complete in their home Department, doctoral students at the University of Bonn have access to the Bonn Graduate Center, which is the central service department for doctoral candidates. It offers guidance on training and funding opportunities and offers a free and comprehensive training programme to support their academic, professional, and personal development.
How to apply
Note that this application is for the scholarship only; successful applicants must also apply for a PhD place and be admitted to each institution through normal routes.
Submit an application to Isobel Falconer ([email protected]) copying in Dennis Lehmkuhl ([email protected]). Applications should include the following documents:
- CV including information about publications (if applicable).
- Transcripts of most relevant/recent degrees.
- Information about the thesis components of your recent degrees (thesis mark, word count, weight/length in comparison to the degree overall).
- Personal statement that includes an outline of the aspects of this project that most interest you and how these fit into your previous study and ambitions (500 words max.).
- English language certificate if required – check the requirements
- Contact details for two academic referees. When you have submitted your application, we will contact your referees, requesting that they send references directly to us, and inform you that we have done so. It is your responsibility to check with your referees that they have provided a reference to us within 2 weeks of our contacting them.
Following a successful application for the scholarship, candidates may be invited to submit an application to both universities for admission into the program and award of the scholarship.
Please indicate in your application that you wish to be considered for this Global doctoral scholarship (Lehmkuhl-Falconer). Applications should be submitted to the co-supervisors via email to: Isobel Falconer ([email protected]) copying in Dennis Lehmkuhl ([email protected]).
Terms and conditions of scholarships for St Andrews can be found here: Awards general terms and conditions.
Please contact us should you have any questions regarding the scholarship: [email protected]
When do applications open?
Immediately
When do applications close?
21 February 2025
When will I hear if my application has been successful?
By late March 2025. Awards are subject to final signatures of contracts between the parties and successful admission to both institutions.
Next steps
Successful scholarship applicants will be invited to apply for admission to both universities from the end of February 2025, and then formal outcomes of the position will be made, subject to provision of full application details and materials for entry to the programme at the agreed entry point in 2025-2026.
Successful scholarship applicants must meet all relevant entry requirements for admission including any immigration requirements that may be in place. Please see the advice on applying for research degree programmes at St Andrews and the PhD application guidelines at Bonn.