Seb Haines

Seb Haines is a Lecturer in Physics at the University of East Anglia, affiliated with the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics, the Centre for Photonics and Quantum Science, and the Quantum Matter research group. He is actively building his research lab and supervising PhD students in experimental condensed matter physics under extreme conditions.

• University: University of East Anglia
• School: School of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics
• Research Groups: Centre for Photonics and Quantum Science, Quantum Matter

His research focuses on quantum phase transitions, particularly in systems near quantum critical points, including 2D Mott insulators and quantum paraelectrics like SrTiO₃. His experimental work involves ultra-high pressure and sub-Kelvin temperature techniques, combined with XRD and neutron scattering, to probe novel states of matter. He investigates how pressure can drive metallization in insulating materials and reveal emergent functionalities relevant to superconductivity and quantum magnetism.

His recent publications show a strong trend in studying magnetoelastic and structural responses of quantum materials under pressure, especially in van der Waals systems such as FePS₃ and multiferroic oxides. These works are published in top journals including Physical Review X and Physical Review B, indicating impactful contributions to the field of quantum materials.

Dr. Haines teaches the third-year Advanced Physics Laboratory (PHY-6003Y) and is the module organiser for the second-year core course Heat, Atoms and Solids (PHY-5004B). He completed his PhD and postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge, with experience in both Physics and Earth Sciences departments.

He is currently accepting PhD students for projects on novel metallic states in 2D transition metal sulphides under extreme conditions.