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Purple light shining through a symmetrical shape over a space-like background

The prestigious grant will support a cutting-edge research project exploring the mathematical structures underpinning quantum symmetries.

Professor Matthew Bullimore from our Department of Mathematical Sciences has been awarded a €2 million Consolidator Grant by the European Research Council (ERC). 

The funding will support a research project exploring mathematical symmetry transformations and will involve a team of early-career researchers. 

Revolutionising Quantum Symmetries 

Symmetry is a concept that has fascinated mathematicians for centuries.  

New perspectives are driving advances in theoretical physics, impacting studies from elementary particles to exotic matter phases.  

Professor Bullimore’s team will delve into the mathematical foundations of these emerging symmetries. They aim to uncover new principles and unlock fresh insights into the behaviour of quantum systems. 

Opportunities for Early-Career Researchers 

The ERC funding will support three postdoctoral researchers and two PhD students. This offers exceptional opportunities for early-career scholars to engage in pioneering work. 

The new team members will join Professor Bullimore and the Department of Mathematical Sciences. They will contribute to shaping the future of mathematical and theoretical physics. 

About the ERC and ERC Grants 

The ERC, set up by the European Union in 2007, is the premier European funding organisation for excellent frontier research.  

The ERC Consolidator Grant is among the EU’s most prestigious and competitive. It provides leading researchers with the opportunity to pursue ambitious, curiosity-driven projects that could lead to major scientific breakthroughs. 

Find out more 

  • Our Department of Mathematical Sciences is ranked in the top 10 in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025. Visit our Mathematical Sciences webpages for more information on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.