phd in mechanical engineering uk

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PhD Mechanical Engineering / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

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The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent) OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent).

Other combinations of qualifications and research or work experience may also be considered. Please contact the admissions team to check.

Full entry requirements

Apply online

In your application you’ll need to include:

• The name of this programme
• Your research project title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name) or area of research
• Your proposed supervisor’s name
• If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the available funding
• A supporting statement (see 'Advice to Applicants' for what to include)
• Details of your previous university level study
• Names and contact details of your two referees.

Programme options

Programme description.

Research in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering covers six broad research themes ; aerospace engineering, innovative manufacturing, modelling and simulation, nuclear engineering, resilient systems, and structures in extreme environments.

Our postgraduate research programmes in Mechanical Engineering offer the opportunity to study in a multi-disciplinary team alongside leading academics in the field. Drawing on our expertise in advanced machining, resource efficient manufacturing, micro and nano fabrication, bio-manufacturing, laser engineering and more we deliver solutions to improve manufacturing capability, productivity, sustainability and emerging advanced technologies.

Your research will be supported by state-of-the-art computational and experimental facilities. We have strong links with industry and excellent employability.

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): Band A £4,786; Band B £7,000; Band C £10,000; Band D £14,500; Band E £24,500 International, including EU, students (per annum): Band A £28,000; Band B £30,000; Band C £35,500; Band D £43,000; Band E £57,000
• PhD (part-time) UK students (per annum): Band A £2393; Band B £3,500; Band C £5,000; Band D £7,250; Band E 12,250

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The programme fee will vary depending on the cost of running the project. Fees quoted are fully inclusive and, therefore, you will not be required to pay any additional bench fees or administration costs.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of the course for Home students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit the postgraduate fees page .

Always contact the Admissions team if you are unsure which fees apply to your project.

Scholarships/sponsorships

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.

To be considered for many of our scholarships, you’ll need to be nominated by your proposed supervisor. Therefore, we’d highly recommend you discuss potential sources of funding with your supervisor first, so they can advise on your suitability and make sure you meet nomination deadlines.

For more information about our scholarships, visit our funding page or use our funding database to search for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

Contact details

The School of Engineering creates a world of possibilities for students pursuing skills and understanding. Through dynamic research and teaching we develop engineering solutions that make a difference to society in an ethical and sustainable way.  Science-based engineering is at the heart of what we do, and through collaboration we support the engineers and scientists of tomorrow to become technically strong, analytically innovative and creative. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .

Programmes in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

• Mechanical Engineering

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

Mechanical Engineering

Postgraduate Research

• Research Scholarships

Outstanding science, strong industrial engagement, and tangible impact are all hallmarks of our PhD programme and of our research culture.

PhD programme overview

• A PhD/MPhil programme is normally three years full time, plus up to one year for writing.
• Part-time registration over a longer period is also possible.
• You are expected to produce a significant contribution to the development and understanding of a specific field within mechanical engineering.
• Skills training will be included during the period of research
• PhD students leaving the department are in great demand by industry.

Research areas at UCL Mechanical Engineering

There are over 140 graduate students and research assistants engaged in research leading to the MPhil/PhD degrees at UCL Mechanical Engineering

Our wide-ranging research is grouped into four main areas.

• Biomechanical 
• Energy and the Environment
• Materials, Structures and Manufacturing

Supervisors and collaborators

Our people page allows you to easily find academic researchers working in areas in which you might want to do further study. There, you will also find our research students and what they are working on.

Current funded PhD opportunities

Our vacancies and studentships page lists current funded PhD studentship opportunities at UCL Mechanical Engineering.

Research scholarships

Our scholarships page outlines UCL's scholarships for outstanding scholars to undertake doctoral research in mechanical engineering at UCL.

Ready for the next step?

Find out more and apply

Current Funded PhD Projects

Apply for current funded PhD positions:

• Nanoengineering in Pharmaceutical Formulation  
• Development of High-Power-Density Non-Rare-Earth Magnet Machine for Modern Propulsion System  
• Novel Topologies and Technologies for Advanced Reluctance Machines  
• Accelerated Prediction of Surface Reactions in Catalysts for H Generation Using Machine Learning and Coarse-Graining Methods

Study Postgraduate

Engineering (school of engineering) (mphil/phd) (2024 entry).

Course code

30 September 2024, 6 January 2025 or 1 April 2025

3-4 years full-time; Up to 7 years part-time

Qualification

Engineering

University of Warwick

Find out more about our MPhil/PhD in Engineering (School of Engineering).

Our MPhil/PhD in Engineering offers an effective mix of academic and practical application. Warwick's School of Engineering has expertly designed this programme to allow you to gain valuable research skills and knowledge.

Course overview

Students register in the first instance for the degree of MPhil unless otherwise approved by the Board of Graduate Studies. Subject to satisfactory progress, registration may be upgraded to the degree of PhD. 

To satisfy the requirements of a PhD, the thesis must constitute a substantial original contribution to knowledge and is, in principle, worthy of peer-reviewed publications. The thesis shall be clearly and concisely written and well-argued and shall show a satisfactory knowledge of both primary and secondary sources. It shall contain a full bibliography and, where appropriate, a description of methods and techniques used in the research.

The maximum length of the thesis is 70,000 words for PhD in the Faculty of Science. These limits are exclusive of appendices, footnotes, tables and bibliography. The total length of all appendices combined may not exceed 5,000 words in length.

You must attend an oral examination (viva voce), which shall cover the thesis itself and the field of study in which the thesis has been written. The examiners may also require that you take a written and/or practical examination. You must complete the oral examination and written and/or practical examination satisfactorily to satisfy the requirements for the degree.

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements.

2:1 undergraduate degree in a related subject or Master’s degree at merit level (or equivalent).

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirements Link opens in a new window . This course requires the following:

• IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page Link opens in a new window .

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Our research

Areas for supervision.

Overarching research themes

Our organisational structure connects our research with our study programmes to ensure quality research-led teaching.

We have four disciplines shaping our framework, they are:

• Civil and Environmental
• Electrical and Electronic
• Mechanical and Process
• Systems and Information

Discipline streams

Our Civil and Environmental researchers work on a broad range of issues underpinning civil engineering.

Combining modelling with practical experimentation, they tackle issues such as:

• Sustainable housing
• Dynamic loading of structures
• Earthquake destabilisation of land
• Pollution of waterways

Key specialisms include Ground Engineering, Structural Engineering and Water.

The Electrical and Electronic Engineering research group covers a range of Power, sustainability, and improved communications at the heart of our Electrical and Electronic stream.

Key areas of research include:

• Artificial olfaction (or 'electronic nose')
• Electrical energy conversion
• Grid-scale energy storage
• Nanoscale communications
• Quantum devices

Key specialisms include Communications, Electrical Power and Sensors and Devices.

Our Mechanical and Process Engineering research group are our largest and most diverse stream, their activities include:

• Fluid mechanics
• Fire and explosion hazards, chemical engineering
• Precision and surfaces
• 3D printing
• Thermal energy technology

Key specialisms include Fluids and Modelling, Measurement and Machines, Reaction and Materials Engineering, Sustainable Thermal Energy Technologies.

The Systems and Information research group bring together expertise in:

• Nonlinear and stochastic systems
• Modelling of human activity
• Neural engineering
• Telemedicine
• Synthetic biology

Much of the research undertaken is around health and security and the nature of the work means that many labs are cross-group. Key specialisms include Biomedical and Biological Systems, Information Engineering and Systems Modelling and Control.

Explore our research areas on our Engineering web pages.

Find a supervisor

Find your supervisor using the link below and discuss with them the area you'd like to research.

Explore our Engineering Academic Staff Directory Link opens in a new window where you will be able to filter by your disciplinary interest.

You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.

School of Engineering Scholarships:

School of Engineering MPhil/PhD Scholarship Scheme

Research Vacancies

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your research course fees

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our  Module Catalogue  (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Engineering at Warwick

Use your maths and science skills to creatively solve real-life problems.

Find out more about us on our website. Link opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

• Advanced Mechanical Engineering (MSc)
• Biomedical Engineering (MSc)
• Communications and Information Engineering (MSc)
• Diagnostics. Data and Digital Health MSc
• Diagnostics, Data and Digital Health (Medical Diagnostics) MSc
• Diagnostics, Data and Digital Health (Medical Imaging) MSc
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering (MSc)
• Electrical Power Engineering (MSc)
• Humanitarian Engineering (MSc/PGDip/PGCert/PGA)
• Humanitarian Engineering (with Management) (MSc)
• Humanitarian Engineering (with Sustainability) (MSc)
• Predictive Modelling and Scientific Computing (MSc)

Our Postgraduate Research courses

• CDT to Advance the Deployment of Future Mobility Technologies (EngD/PhD)
• Modelling of Heterogeneous Systems (PhD)
• MSc by Research in Engineering
• PhD/MPhil in Engineering

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

For research courses that start in September and October 2024 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2024. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

How to apply for a postgraduate research course  

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

Join a live chat

Ask questions and engage with Warwick.

Warwick Hosted Events Link opens in a new window

Postgraduate fairs.

Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.

Join a live chat with our staff and students, who are here to answer your questions and help you learn more about postgraduate life at Warwick. You can join our general drop-in sessions or talk to your prospective department and student services.

Departmental events

Some academic departments hold events for specific postgraduate programmes, these are fantastic opportunities to learn more about Warwick and your chosen department and course.

See our online departmental events

Warwick Talk and Tours

A Warwick talk and tour lasts around two hours and consists of an overview presentation from one of our Recruitment Officers covering the key features, facilities and activities that make Warwick a leading institution. The talk is followed by a campus tour which is the perfect way to view campus, with a current student guiding you around the key areas on campus.

Connect with us

Learn more about Postgraduate study at the University of Warwick.

We may have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history .

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

9th in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2024) Link opens in a new window

67th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024) Link opens in a new window

6th most targeted university by the UK's top 100 graduate employers Link opens in a new window

(The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd. Link opens in a new window )

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2024 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

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Mechanical and Systems Engineering MPhil, PhD

The Mechanical and Systems Engineering MPhil and PhD allow you to deepen your theoretical understanding of your chosen topic but also improve your technical skills and analytical capabilities.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:

Start date(s):

• September 2024
• January 2025

Research degrees are offered through four research groups:

• bioengineering
• fluid dynamics and thermal systems
• design, manufacture and materials
• future mobility

By pursuing research in the School of Engineering you will join a successful research group. Our mission is to foster, promote and conduct research of international quality. We attract high-quality graduates and researchers and train them to international standards.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our  Academic experience page , which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our  terms and conditions and student complaints information , which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Related courses

Qualifications explained.

Find out about the different qualification options for this course.

An MPhil is available in all subject areas. You receive research training and undertake original research leading to the completion of a 40,000 - 50,000 word thesis.

Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications

A PhD is a doctorate or doctoral award. It involves original research that should make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject. To complete the PhD you will produce a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis. A PhD usually takes three years full time.

How you'll learn

Off-campus study may be available in some circumstances. This is particularly if you have industrial sponsorship. Our programme includes:

• intensive subject-specific supervision
• training in research methodologies and core skills

You may also have an opportunity to:

• undertake paid laboratory demonstrations
• do tutoring to gain teaching experience

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

We offer a wide range of projects for the thesis. These will be provided by our academics. You can also propose your own topic.

Our mission is to help you:

• stay healthy, positive and feeling well
• overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
• get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
• carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
• understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules

We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.

You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:

• research and professional skills
• careers support
• health and safety
• public engagement
• academic development

Find out more about our postgraduate research student support

The following subject group pages outline our specialist research areas:

Bioengineering

• Design, Manufacture and Materials
• Fluid Dynamics and Thermal Systems

 You'll be able to:

• explore possible research programmes
• find out more about staff working in these research areas
• identify a potential research supervisor

Your development

The School of Engineering runs a postgraduate training programme. It is compulsory for all new students and involves selected taught modules. You'll receive research training from the Science, Agriculture and Engineering Graduate School. This covers professional/key skills, personal development and research techniques.

You may supplement your income by leading laboratory demonstrations and tutorial classes.

Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) researcher development programme 

Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:

• perform better as a researcher
• boost your career prospects
• broaden your impact

Through workshops and activities, you'll build your transferable skills and increase your confidence. Here you’ll cover:

• techniques for effective research
• methods for better collaborative working
• essential professional standards and requirements

Your programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.

There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within:

• a Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
• a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)

Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits. They combine research expertise and training of many leading universities and academic schools. You’ll study alongside a cohort of other interdisciplinary PhD students.

PhD's are usually funded. You’ll find funding opportunities in the fees and funding section of each PhD course page.

• EPSRC Aura Centre for Doctoral Training in Offshore Wind Energy and the Environment
• IAPETUS2 Doctoral Training Partnership

Your future

Our careers service.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information .

Depending on your research area you will have access to the following facilities.

You have access to dedicated biomaterials, biotribology and co-ordinate measuring machine labs.

Design, manufacture and materials

You have access to facilities for:

• materials testing and failure analysis
• product development and mechanical testing
• pultrusion, filament winding, resin infusion and vacuum bag moulding
• selective laser sintering and fused deposition modelling
• full-scale rail vehicle and track investigations at NewRail's regional office and working railway centre, Barrow Hill
• dedicated labs for both 3D printing and biofabrication
• micro machining

Fluid dynamics and thermal systems

Facilities include:

• high performance computing facilities
• water tunnel and wind tunnel
• particle image velocimetry (PIV)
• hot wire anemometry facilities
• IC engine test bench
• high pressure and high temperature combustion vessel

Future mobility

A full-scale test site at Barrow Hill in the UK for experimenting and instrumenting. The facility offers:

• a Class 37 loco
• track and testing facilities for wear, fatigue and chemical and bio-chemical analysis of low adhesion leaf films
• a fully equipped workshop

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year), home fees for research degree students.

For 2024-25 entry, we have aligned our standard Home research fees with those set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) . The standard fee was confirmed in Spring 2024 by UKRI.

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here .

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See  our   searchable postgraduate funding page  for more information.  

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section .

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English language requirements, admissions policy.

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB) Other policies related to admissions

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

• How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages .

Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

• campus tours
• on-campus open days
• virtual open days

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events

• Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Postgraduate Research Administrator School of Engineering Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5634 Email:  [email protected]  

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Mechanical Engineering PhD opportunities

In the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Birmingham we pride ourselves on our research which is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for GPA and 4* research (REF 2021).

We are experts in applying engineering science to the mechanical engineering problems of the real world and in educating the next generation of international mechanical engineers to the highest level.

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PhD and research studentships

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Mechanical Engineering

The School of Engineering offers research-led degrees in a wide range of research disciplines in a highly stimulating academic environment.

Key information

Distance learning

• Duration 3 to 4 years full-time
• Start date September, January, May
• Location Canterbury

The Mechanical Engineering Group in School of Engineering offers a Masters by Research (MRes) as well as a PhD programme in Mechanical Engineering . A full time MRes is a one year programme that leads to a research thesis. The duration for PhD programme is three years.

The MRes and PhD research-led degrees in the Mechanical Engineering Group will allow you to undertake cutting-edge projects in advanced fields of Mechanical Engineering. These research fields include:

• computer aided design (CAD),
• failure of materials and structures,
• computational fluid dynamics (CFD),
• automation and manufacturing,
• risk and reliability,
• industrial maintenance,
• robotics and autonomous systems,
• and digital mechanics.

The School has state-of-the-art facilities and experimental equipment to support students’ research such as 3-D printer, wind tunnel, dynamic testing machines, mechatronic units and non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment. The School provides research students the opportunity to participate in regular research seminars and workshops. We also offer research students the possibility of attending international conferences organised by Mechanical Engineering societies to present their work.

Our one year MSc by Research in Mechanical Engineering is an internationally recognised advanced postgraduate research degree, providing an ideal foundation for advanced skills and knowledge. Traditional MSc degrees primarily contain taught modules, whilst an MSc by Research is heavily research or practice-based and you learn through hands-on projects.

Whereas a taught Masters develops expertise in existing subject knowledge, an MSc by Research places more emphasis on research and practical expertise and is project-based rather than module-based. An MSc by Research can focus on individual research skills, providing a strong foundation to build on for students considering a doctoral degree (PhD). Alternatively, our MSc by Research can be done via a practice-based approach, which is more orientated toward the industry. It is well structured, with clearly defined tasks to be completed, which will eventually lead to the final dissertation.

About the School of Engineering

Established over 40 years ago, the School has developed a top-quality teaching and research base, receiving excellent ratings in both research and teaching assessments.

We undertake high-quality research that has had significant national and international impact, and our spread of expertise allows us to respond rapidly to new developments. 

As a postgraduate student in the School of Engineering, you receive support through individual supervision, specialised seminars and colloquia, usually with external speakers. We also offer a range of  financial support options .

Our 30 academic staff and over 130 postgraduate students and research staff provide an ideal focus to effectively support a high level of research activity. There is a thriving student population studying for postgraduate degrees in a friendly and supportive teaching and research environment.

We have research funding from the Research Councils UK, European research programmes, a number of industrial and commercial companies and government agencies including the Ministry of Defence.  Many of our research projects are collaborative, and we have well-developed links with institutions worldwide.

Everything you need to know.

Entry requirements, study support.

A 2:1 or higher honours degree or MSc with Merit or above in suitable subjects such as mechanical, material, civil, and structural engineering, mathematics.

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, and professional qualifications and experience will also be taken into account when considering applications.

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications. 

Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country  and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.

English language entry requirements

This course requires a Good level of English language, equivalent to B2 on CEFR.  

Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English Language requirements webpage . 

Examples:  

IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component 

PTE Academic 63 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test 

A degree from a UK university 

A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country 

Need help with English?

Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways .

Postgraduate research is a fantastic opportunity and significant investment in your future, enabling you to expand your knowledge, skills and career options – all while making a meaningful impact and contribution to an area you are passionate about.

At Kent, we also recognise the significant financial investment that comes with postgraduate study, and we offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate researchers, to help keep your mind on your studies, and off your finances.

Scholarships can be broad, or specific to your situation, background or even country – so please do use our scholarships finder to discover the options available to you.

We also have research partnership funding with research councils and government schemes in specific areas of interest that can help you take your research to the next level with additional financial support.

Find out more on our fees and funding page and discover what option is right for you.

Postgraduate resources

The School is well equipped with a wide range of laboratory and computing facilities and software packages for teaching and research support. There is a variety of hardware and software for image acquisition and processing, as well as extensive multimedia computing resources. The School has facilities for designing embedded systems using programmable logic and ASIC technology, supported by CAD tools and development software from international companies, including Cadence™, Xilinx™, Synopsys™, Altera™, National Instruments® and Mentor Graphics™. The SMT laboratory can be used for prototyping and small-volume PCB manufacture. A well-equipped instrumentation research laboratory is also available.

Students studying communications have access to commercial and in-house software tools for designing microwave, RF, optoelectronics and antenna systems (such as ADS™, CST™, HFSS™) and subsequent testing with network and spectrum analysers up to 110 GHz, an on-wafer prober, and high-quality anechoic chambers.

Students interested in Information Security and Biometrics have access to state-of-the-art biometrics equipment, which can be used for studying the characteristics of the different biometric modalities introduced during the course.

New facilities

The School of Engineering has recently undergone a £3 million redevelopment and modernisation of its engineering and design facilities due for completion in July 2020. This includes an engineering workshop and fabrication facilities, a dedicated makerspace for innovation, collaboration and the development of practical skills, a virtual reality suite, production studio (including photography, video and green screen facilities) and a large teaching and design studio. These changes will deliver modern and advanced teaching and research facilities supporting all Engineering, Design and Digital Arts subjects. 

As a postgraduate student, you are part of a thriving research community and receive support through a wide-ranging programme of individual supervision, specialised research seminars, general skills training programmes, and general departmental colloquia, usually with external speakers. We encourage you to attend and present your work at major conferences, as well as taking part in our internal conference and seminar programmes.

Dynamic publishing culture

Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Recent contributions include: IEEE Transactions ; IET Journals ; Electronics Letters ; Applied Physics ; Computers in Human Behaviour .

Researcher Development Programme

Kent's Graduate School co-ordinates the Researcher Development Programme for research students, which includes workshops focused on research, specialist and transferable skills. The programme is mapped to the national Researcher Development Framework and covers a diverse range of topics, including subject-specific research skills, research management, personal effectiveness, communication skills, networking and teamworking, and career management skills.

Communications

The Communications  Group’s activities cover system and component technologies from microwave to terahertz frequencies. These include photonics, antennae and wireless components for a broad range of communication systems. The Group has extensive software research tools together with antenna anechoic chambers, network and spectrum analysers to millimetre wave frequencies and optical signal generation, processing and measurement facilities. Current research themes include:

• photonic components
• networks/wireless systems
• microwave and millimetre-wave systems
• antenna systems
• radio-over-fibre systems
• electromagnetic bandgaps and metamaterials
• frequency selective surfaces

Research projects available within the Communications Research Group are available to view  here . 

Intelligent Interactions

The Intelligent Interactions  Group has interests in all aspects of information engineering and human-machine interactions. It was formed in 2014 by the merger of the Image and Information Research Group and the Digital Media Research Group.

The group has an international reputation for its work in a number of key application areas. These include: image processing and vision, pattern recognition, interaction design, social, ubiquitous and mobile computing with a range of applications in security and biometrics, healthcare, e-learning, computer games, digital film and animation.

• Social and Affective Computing
• Assistive Robotics and Human-Robot Interaction
• Brain-Computer Interfaces
• Mobile, Ubiquitous and Pervasive Computing
• Sensor Networks and Data Analytics
• Biometric and Forensic Technologies Behaviour Models for Security
• Distributed Systems Security (Cloud Computing, Internet of Things)
• Advanced Pattern Recognition (medical imaging, document and handwriting recognition, animal biometrics)
• Computer Animation, Game Design and Game Technologies
• Virtual and Augmented Reality
• Digital Arts, Virtual Narratives

Research projects available within the Intelligent Interactions Research Group are available to view  here . 

Instrumentation and Control 

The Instrumentation and Control  Research Group works in two complementary research themes – Instrumentation and Control. The Group has made considerable endeavours to solve challenging measurement, monitoring and control problems through applied research programmes with support from a range of funding bodies and industry. The group has established long term partnerships with the power generation, manufacturing and healthcare industries.

The group’s expertise lies primarily in process sensors, intelligent instrumentation, smart condition monitoring, digital image processing, data fusion, data modelling, and robust control and estimation. Since 2010 the group has published more than 100 research papers in leading journals and over 150 refereed conference papers in the field of instrumentation and control. In addition to a well equipped Instrumentation Laboratory on Kent Campus, the group has regular access to industrial-scale test facilities, full-scale power plants, hospitals and clinics.

Research projects available within the Instrumentation and Control Research Group are available to view  here . 

Staff research interests

Kent’s world-class academics provide research students with excellent supervision. The academic staff in this school and their research interests are shown below. You are strongly encouraged to contact the school to discuss your proposed research and potential supervision prior to making an application. Please note, it is possible for students to be supervised by a member of academic staff from any of Kent’s schools, providing their expertise matches your research interests. Use our ‘ find a supervisor ’ search to search by staff member or keyword.

Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website .

We have developed our programmes with a number of industrial organisations, which means that successful students are in a strong position to build a long-term career in this important discipline. You develop the skills and capabilities that employers are looking for, including problem solving, independent thought, report-writing, time management, leadership skills, team-working and good communication.

Kent has an excellent record for postgraduate employment: over 96% of our postgraduate students who graduated in 2015 found a job or further study opportunity within six months.

Building on Kent’s success as the region’s leading institution for student employability, we offer many opportunities for you to gain worthwhile experience and develop the specific skills and aptitudes that employers value.

The 2024/25 annual tuition fees for this course are:

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide .

For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact [email protected] .

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from  UKCISA  before applying.

General information

For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* 

Additional costs

General additional costs.

Find out more about  general additional costs  that you may pay when studying at Kent. 

Search our  scholarships finder  for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:

• University and external funds
• Scholarships specific to the  academic school  delivering this programme. 

Chevening scholarships

This programme attracts many applications from Chevening scholars. Chevening is the UK Government’s international awards scheme aimed at developing global leaders, and Kent is a Chevening partner. 

For details of the funding available, see our  Chevening Scholarships page .

We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.

Ready to apply?

If you would like to study as an external research student (i.e. remotely), please contact  [email protected]  to discuss your application.

Learn more about the  applications process  or begin your application by clicking on a link below.

Once started, you can save and return to your application at any time.

Learn more about the  application process  or begin your application by clicking on a link below.

You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.

Need help deciding?

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Kent has risen 11 places in THE’s REF 2021 ranking, confirming us as a leading research university.

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Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D. / M.Phil.

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Are you a UK or International Student?

World's top 250 mechanical engineering department.

QS Subject World Rankings 2020

Key Course Details

Course overview.

Start dates: PhD/MPhil - 1st October, 1st January, 1st April & 1st July.

With our close interaction with large companies such as Tata Steel and Ford, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises, Swansea University provides an excellent base for your research as a PhD or MPhil student in Mechanical Engineering.

Across the UK and overseas, there is or has been recent work at Swansea University with companies such as:

• Astra-Zeneca
• British Aerospace
• Rolls-Royce
• Barrick Gold

Research within Engineering at Swansea University is multidisciplinary in nature, incorporating our strengths in research areas across the Engineering disciplines.

Computational mechanics forms the basis for the majority of the PhD and MPhil projects within these engineering disciplines. To find out more about our research within this area visit our Research webpages .

Entry Requirements

Qualifications MPhil:  Applicants for MPhil must normally hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. See -  Country-specific Information for European Applicants 2019  and  Country-specific Information for International Applicants 2019 .

PhD:  Applicants for PhD must normally hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. See -  Country-specific Information for European Applicants 2019  and  Country-specific Information for International Applicants 2019 .

English Language IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found  here .

We welcome applications by prospective students from around the world and look for evidence of previous study that is equivalent to the entry requirements stated above. The Postgraduate Admissions Office are happy to advise you on whether your qualifications are suitable for entry to the course you would like to study. Please email  [email protected]  for further information.

As well as academic qualifications, Admissions decisions may be based on other factors, including (but not limited to): the standard of the research synopsis/proposal, performance at interview, intensity of competition for limited places, and relevant professional experience.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Requirement

Non UK/EU applicants are required to obtain ATAS clearance for this programme of study. Successful applicants are sent ATAS application details by the University PGR Admissions team. Further details on the ATAS scheme can be found at on the government Academic Technology Approval Scheme webpage .

Reference Requirement

As standard, two references are required before we can progress applications to the College/School research programme Admissions Tutor for consideration.

Applications received without two references attached are placed on hold, pending receipt of the outstanding reference(s). Please note that any protracted delay in receiving the outstanding reference(s) may result in the need to defer your application to a later potential start point/entry month, than what you initially listed as your preferred start option.

You may wish to consider contacting your referee(s) to assist in the process of obtaining the outstanding reference(s) or alternatively, hold submission of application until references are sourced. Please note that it is not the responsibility of the University Admissions Office to obtain missing reference(s) after our initial email is sent to your nominated referee(s), requesting a reference(s) on your behalf.

The reference can take the form of a letter on official headed paper, or via the University’s standard reference form. Click this link to download the university reference form .

Alternatively, referees can email a reference from their employment email account, please note that references received via private email accounts, (i.e. Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail) cannot be accepted.

References can be submitted to [email protected] .

How you are Supervised

Your supervisor will:

• Help you develop your research plan in the early stages of your PhD
• Advise on research aims and objectives and suggest relevant training or skills courses
• Provide direction in terms of relevant literature and sources
• Give guidance on gathering, recording and analysing data
• Supervise your written work, providing constructive criticism and ensuring you keep to deadlines
• Support and advise you when it comes to presenting papers at conferences, publishing your work and attending your viva (the final oral examination of your thesis)

Welsh Provision

Tuition fees, ph.d. 3 year full time, ph.d. 6 year part time, m.phil. 2 year full time, m.phil. 4 year part time.

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page .

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page .

International students and part-time study: It may be possible for some students to study part-time under the Student Visa route. However, this is dependent on factors relating to the course and your individual situation. It may also be possible to study with us if you are already in the UK under a different visa category (e.g. Tier 1 or 2, PBS Dependant, ILR etc.). Please visit the University information on Visas and Immigration for further guidance and support.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page .

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

Government funding is now available for Welsh, English and EU students starting eligible postgraduate research programmes at Swansea University. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up .

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

How to Apply

Once you have identified a topic area within which you would like to work, we recommend that you submit a research proposal and discuss this with an Admissions Tutor for the subject area before making an application. You can email [email protected]  to express your interest in a PhD or MPhil Mechanical Engineering.

Apply online and track your application status for the PhD or MPhil Mechanical Engineering at  www.swansea.ac.uk/applyonline

If you're an international student, find out more about applying for the PhD or MPhil Mechanical Engineering at  www.swan.ac.uk/international/students/apply

Suggested Application Timings

In order to allow sufficient time for consideration of your application by an academic, for potential offer conditions to be met and travel / relocation, we recommend that applications are made before the dates outlined below. Please note that applications can still be submitted outside of the suggested dates below but there is the potential that your application/potential offer may need to be moved to the next appropriate intake window.

October Enrolment

UK Applicants – 15th August

EU/International applicants – 15th July

January Enrolment

UK applicants – 15th November

EU/International applicants – 15th October

April Enrolment

UK applicants – 15th February

EU/International applicants – 15th January

July Enrolment

UK applicants – 15th May

EU/International applicants – 15th April

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

PhD Programme Specification

Programme Summary

This PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Swansea will enable you to undertake a substantial project led by your own interests. It is a highly respected qualification which can present a career in academia or a wider scope for employment in fields such as education, government or the private sector. A thesis of 100,000 words will be submitted for assessment demonstrating original research with a substantive contribution to the subject area. The PhD is examined following an oral examination of the thesis (a viva voce examination or viva voce). You will acquire research skills for high-level work and skills and training programmes are available on campus for further support. There will be an opportunity to deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars and conferences. There may also be opportunities to develop your teaching skills through undergraduate tutorials, demonstrations and seminars.

Programme Aims

This PhD programme will provide doctoral researchers with:

• The opportunity to conduct high quality postgraduate research in a world leading research environment.
• Key skills needed to undertake advanced academic and non-academic research including qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Advanced critical thinking, intellectual curiosity and independent judgement.

Programme Structure

The programme comprises three key elements:

• Entry and confirmation of candidature
• Main body of research
• Thesis and  viva voce  examination

The programme comprises of the undertaking of an original research project of 3 years duration full time (6 years duration part time). Doctoral researchers may pursue the programme either full time or part time by pursuing research at the University at an external place of employment or with/at a University approved partner.

Doctoral researchers for the PhD in Mechanical Engineering are examined in two parts.

The first part is a thesis which is an original body of work representing the methods and results of the research project. The maximum word limit is 100,000 for the main text. The word limit does not include appendices (if any), essential footnotes, introductory parts and statements or the bibliography and index.

The second part is an oral examination ( viva voce ).

Doctoral Researcher Supervision and Support

Doctoral researchers will be supervised by a supervisory team. Where appropriate, staff from Colleges/Schools other than the ‘home’ Department/School (other Colleges/Schools) within the University will contribute to cognate research areas. There may also be supervisors from an industrial partner.

The Primary/First Supervisor will normally be the main contact throughout the doctoral research journey and will have overall responsibility for academic supervision. The academic input of the Secondary Supervisor will vary from case to case. The principal role of the Secondary Supervisor is often as a first port of call if the Primary/First Supervisor becomes unavailable. The supervisory team may also include a supervisor from industry or a specific area of professional practice to support the research. External supervisors may also be drawn from other Universities.

The primary supervisor will provide pastoral support. If necessary the primary supervisor will refer the doctoral researcher to other sources of support (e.g. Wellbeing, Disability, Money Advice, IT, Library, Students’ Union, Academic Services, Student Support Services, Careers Centre). 

Programme Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this programme, doctoral researchers should be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding

• Demonstrate the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of research through the development of a written thesis.
• Create, interpret, analyse and develop new knowledge through original research or other advanced scholarship. 
• Disseminate new knowledge gained through original research or other advanced scholarship via high quality peer reviewed publications within the discipline.
• Apply research skills and subject theory to the practice of research.
• Apply process and standards of a range of the methodologies through which research is conducted and knowledge acquired and revised. 

Attitudes and values

• Conceptualise, design and implement a project aimed at the generation of new knowledge or applications within Mechanical Engineering.
• Make informed judgements on complex issues in the field of Mechanical Engineering, often in the absence of complete data and defend those judgements to an appropriate audience.
• Apply sound ethical principles to research, with due regard for the integrity of persons and in accordance with professional codes of conduct.
• Demonstrate self-awareness of individual and cultural diversity, and the reciprocal impact in social interaction between self and others when conducting research involving people.

Research Skills

• Respond appropriately to unforeseen problems in project design by making suitable amendments.
• Communicate complex research findings clearly, effectively and in an engaging manner to both specialist (including the academic community), and non-specialist audiences using a variety of appropriate media and events, including conference presentations, seminars and workshops.
• Correctly select, interpret and apply relevant techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry.
• Develop the networks and foundations for on-going research and development within the discipline.
• Implement  advanced research skills to a substantial degree of independence.
• Locate information and apply it to research practice.

Skills and Competencies

• Display the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment, including the exercise of personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations, in professional or equivalent environments.

Progression Monitoring

Progress will be monitored in accordance with Swansea University regulations. During the course of the programme, the Doctoral researcher is expected to meet regularly with their supervisors, and at most meetings it is likely that the doctoral researcher’s progress will be monitored in an informal manner in addition to attendance checks. Details of the meetings should ideally be recorded on the on-line system. A minimum of four formal supervision meetings is required each year, two of which will be reported to the Postgraduate Progression and Awards Board. During these supervisory meetings the doctoral researcher’s progress is discussed and formally recorded on the on-line system. 

Learning Development

The University offers training and development for Doctoral Researchers and supervisors ( https://www.swansea.ac.uk/research/undertake-research-with-us/postgraduate-research/training-and-skills-development-programme/ ).

Swansea University’s Postgraduate Research Training Framework is structured into sections, to enable doctoral researchers to navigate and determine appropriate courses aligned to both their interest and their candidature stage. 

There is a training framework including for example areas of Managing Information and Data, Presentation and Public Engagement, Leadership and working with others, Safety Integrity and Ethics, Impact and Commercialisation and Teaching and Demonstrating. There is also range of support in areas such as training needs, literature searching, conducting research, writing up research, teaching, applying for grants and awards, communicating research and future careers.

A range of research seminars and skills development sessions are provided within the Department of Engineering and across the University. These are scheduled to keep the  doctoral researcher in touch with a broader range of material than their own research topic, to stimulate ideas in discussion with others, and to give them opportunities to such as defending their own thesis orally, and to identify potential criticisms. Additionally, the Department of Engineering is developing a research culture that aligns with the University vision and will link with key initiatives delivered under the auspices of the University’s Academies, for example embedding the HEA fellowship for postgraduate research students.

Research Environment

Swansea University’s research environment combines innovation and excellent facilities to provide a home for multidisciplinary research to flourish. Our research environment encompasses all aspects of the research lifecycle, with internal grants and support for external funding and enabling impact/effect that research has beyond academia.  

Swansea University is very proud of our reputation for excellent research, and for the calibre, dedication, professionalism, collaboration and engagement of our research community. We understand that integrity must be an essential characteristic of all aspects of research, and that as a University entrusted with undertaking research we must clearly and consistently demonstrate that the confidence placed in our research community is rightly deserved. The University therefore ensures that everyone engaged in research is trained to the very highest standards of research integrity and conducts themselves and their research in a way that respects the dignity, rights, and welfare of participants, and minimises risks to participants, researchers, third parties, and the University itself.

Postgraduate students in the Department of Engineering will have access to the University’s on-site library, open 24 hours a day, state-of-the-art laboratories, a year-round programme of seminars and talks, advanced computing technology and dedicated postgraduate student work rooms. The Department has developed some of the University’s strongest links with industry at a Wales, UK, and International level, and has established itself as a leader in engineering development, working in partnership with such blue chip companies such as TATA, Rolls-Royce, Airbus, BAE Systems and HP. Students can expect to benefit from close working relationships with industry experts and in many cases, gain valuable experience through industrial placements.

Career Opportunities  

Having a PhD demonstrates that graduates can work effectively in a team, formulate, explore and communicate complex ideas and manage advanced tasks. Jobs in academia (eg postdoctoral research, lecturing), education, government, management, the public or private sector are possible. Examples include administrators, counsellors, marketing specialists, and researchers.

The Postgraduate Research Office Skills Development Team offer support and a training framework for example in creating a researcher profile based upon publications and setting up your own business. The Swansea Employability Academy assists students in future career opportunities, improving CVs, job applications and interview skills.

MPhil Programme Specification

This MPhil in Mechanical Engineering at Swansea will enable you to undertake a substantial project led by your own interests. It is a highly respected qualification which can present a career in academia or a wider scope for employment in fields such as education, government or the private sector. A thesis of 60,000 words will be submitted for assessment demonstrating original research with a substantive contribution to the subject area. The Masters is examined following an oral examination of the thesis (a viva voce examination or viva). You will acquire research skills for high-level work and skills and training programmes are available on campus for further support. There will be an opportunity to deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars and conferences.  

This Masters programme will provide students with: 

• Thesis and viva voce 

The programme comprises of the undertaking of an original research project of 2 years duration full time (4 years duration part time). Students may pursue the programme either full time or part time by pursuing research at the University at an external place of employment or with/at a University approved partner.

Students for the Masters in Mechanical Engineering are examined in two parts.

The first part is a thesis which is an original body of work representing the methods and results of the research project. The maximum word limit is 60,000 for the main text. The word limit does not include appendices (if any), essential footnotes, introductory parts and statements or the bibliography and index.

Supervision and Support 

Students will be supervised by a supervisory team. Where appropriate, staff from Colleges/Schools other than the ‘home’ Department/School (other Colleges/Schools) within the University will contribute to cognate research areas. There may also be supervisors from an industrial partner.

The Primary/First Supervisor will normally be the main contact throughout the student journey and will have overall responsibility for academic supervision. The academic input of the Secondary Supervisor will vary from case to case. The principal role of the Secondary Supervisor is often as a first port of call if the Primary/First Supervisor becomes unavailable. The supervisory team may also include a supervisor from industry or a specific area of professional practice to support the research. External supervisors may also be drawn from other Universities.

The primary supervisor will provide pastoral support. If necessary the primary supervisor will refer the student to other sources of support (e.g. Wellbeing, Disability, Money Advice, IT, Library, Students’ Union, Academic Services, Student Support Services, Careers Centre).

• Demonstrate the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge through the development of a written thesis.
• Create, interpret, analyse and develop new knowledge through original research or other advanced scholarship.  
• Apply process and standards of a range of the methodologies through which research is conducted and knowledge acquired and revised.
• Make informed judgements on complex issues in the field of Mechanical Engineering often in the absence of complete data and defend those judgements to an appropriate audience. 
• Communicate complex research findings clearly, effectively and in an engaging manner to both specialist (including the academic community), and non-specialist audiences using a variety of appropriate media.
• Correctly select, interpret and apply relevant techniques for research and academic enquiry.
• Develop the foundations for on-going research and development within the discipline.
• Implement independent research skills.
• Display the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment, including the exercise of personal responsibility and initiative in complex situations.

Progress will be monitored in accordance with Swansea University regulations. During the course of the programme, the student is expected to meet regularly with their supervisors, and at most meetings it is likely that the student’s progress will be monitored in an informal manner in addition to attendance checks. Details of the meetings should ideally be recorded on the on-line system. A minimum of four formal supervision meetings is required each year, two of which will be reported to the Postgraduate Progression and Awards Board. During these supervisory meetings the student’s progress is discussed and formally recorded on the on-line system. 

Learning Development  

Swansea University’s Postgraduate Research Training Framework is structured into sections, to enable students to navigate and determine appropriate courses aligned to both their interest and their candidature stage. 

There is a training framework including for example areas of Managing Information and Data, Presentation and Public Engagement, Leadership and working with others, Safety Integrity and Ethics, Impact and Commercialisation and Teaching and Demonstrating.  There is also range of support in areas such as training needs, literature searching, conducting research, writing up research, teaching, applying for grants and awards, communicating research and future careers.

A range of research seminars and skills development sessions are provided within the Department of Engineering and across the University. These are scheduled to keep the student in touch with a broader range of material than their own research topic, to stimulate ideas in discussion with others, and to give them opportunities to such as defending their own thesis orally, and to identify potential criticisms. Additionally, the Department of Engineering is developing a research culture that will align with the University vision and will link with key initiatives delivered under the auspices of the University’s Academies, for example embedding the HEA fellowship for postgraduate research students.

Research Environment  

Swansea University’s Research Environment combines innovation and excellent facilities to provide a home for multidisciplinary research to flourish. Our research environment encompasses all aspects of the research lifecycle, with internal grants and support for external funding and enabling impact/effect that research has beyond academia. 

Department of Engineering

As a postgraduate student you will have access to our on-site library, open 24 hours a day, state-of-the-art laboratories, a year-round programme of seminars and talks, advanced computing technology and dedicated postgraduate student work rooms.  The Department has developed some of the University’s strongest links with industry at a Wales, UK, and International level, and has established itself as a leader in engineering development, working in partnership with such blue chip companies such as TATA, Rolls-Royce, Airbus, BAE Systems and HP. As a student you can expect to benefit from close working relationships with industry experts and in many cases, gain valuable experience through industrial placements.

Career Opportunities

Having a Master of Philosophy degree shows that you can communicate your ideas and manage tasks. Jobs in academia, education, government, management, the public or private sector are possible. 

Find a programme

Accounting and finance.

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Advanced Quantitative Methods

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Aerosol Science

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Aerosol Science, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Aerospace Engineering

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Anthropology and Archaeology

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Anthropology and Archaeology, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Biochemistry

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Biological Sciences

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Biological Sciences, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Cellular and Molecular Medicine

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Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Chemistry, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Civil Engineering

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Classics and Ancient History

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Clinical Conscious Sedation and Anxiety Management

Comparative literatures and cultures.

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Computer Science

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Creative Writing

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Creative Writing, including entry requirements, supervisiors and research groups.

Cyber Security (Cyber Secure Everywhere)

Dds orthodontics.

Find out about the University of Bristol's Orthodontics Doctorate in Dental Surgery (DDS) research degree, including career prospects and supervisors.

DEdPsy Educational Psychology

Find out about the University of Bristol's Doctor of Educational Psychology (DEdPsy) research degree, including career prospects and supervisors.

Disability Studies

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Disability Studies, including entry requirements, career prospects and research groups.

Dynamic Molecular Cell Biology (Wellcome Trust)

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Dynamic Molecular Cell Biology, fully funded by the Wellcome Trust for UK students.

Earth Sciences

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Earth Sciences, including entry requirements, supervisiors and research groups.

East Asian Studies

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Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Economics, including entry requirements, supervisiors and research groups.

EdD Education: Learning, Leadership and Policy

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Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Education, including entry requirements, career prospects and research groups.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, including entry requirements and research groups.

EngD Composites Manufacture

Engd future innovation in non-destructive evaluation, engineering biology, engineering mathematics.

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Engineering Mathematics, including entry requirements, career prospects and research groups.

English Literature

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Exercise, Nutrition and Health

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Film and Television

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Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in French, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Geographical Sciences (Human Geography)

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Geographical Sciences (Physical Geography)

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Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in German, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Global Challenges and Transformations

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Graduate Diploma Economics

Great western four+ doctoral training partnership (nerc).

Find out about the Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership, a multidisciplinary training environment for postgraduate students in NERC sciences.

Health and Wellbeing

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Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American Studies

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Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in History, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

History of Art

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Innovation and Entrepreneurship

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Integrative Cardiovascular Science (BHF)

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Integrative Cardiovascular Science (BHF), including entry requirements, funding and structure.

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Italian, including entry requirements, structure and research groups.

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Law, including entry requirements, structure and research groups.

Linguistics

Llm law - banking and finance law.

Find out about the University of Bristol's LLM in Banking and Finance Law, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

LLM Law - Commercial Law

Find out about the University of Bristol's LLM in Commercial Law, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

LLM Law - Company Law and Corporate Governance

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LLM Law - Employment, Work and Equality

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LLM Law - General Legal Studies

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LLM Law - Health, Law and Society

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LLM Law - Human Rights Law

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LLM Law - International Commercial Law

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LLM Law - International Law

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LLM Law - International Law and International Relations

Find out about the University of Bristol's LLM in International Law and International Relations, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

LLM Law - Labour Law and Corporate Governance

Llm law - law and globalisation, llm law - public law, llm law, environment, sustainability & business.

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LLM Law, Environment, Sustainability and Business

Llm law, innovation & technology.

Find out about the University of Bristol's LLM in Law, Innovation and Technology, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

LLM Law, Innovation and Technology

Ma anthropology.

Find out about the University of Bristol's MA in Anthropology, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MA Black Humanities

Ma chinese-english audiovisual translation.

Find out about the University of Bristol's MA in Chinese-English Audiovisual Translation, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MA Chinese-English Translation

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MA Comparative Literatures and Cultures

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MA Composition of Music for Film and Television

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MA Creative Innovation and Entrepreneurship

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MA Creative Writing

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MA English Literature

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MA Environmental Humanities

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MA Film and Television

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Find out about the University of Bristol's MA in History, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MA History of Art

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MA Immersive Arts (Virtual and Augmented Reality)

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc, PGCert and PGDip in Immersive Arts (Virtual and Augmented Reality) including structure and career prospects.

Find out about the University of Bristol's MA in Law, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MA Logic and Philosophy of Mathematics

Ma medieval studies.

Find out about the University of Bristol's MA in Medieval Studies, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

Find out about the University of Bristol's MA in Music, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MA Philosophy

Ma philosophy and history of science, ma philosophy of biological and cognitive sciences, ma philosophy of physics, ma religion, ma translation, ma translation (online).

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Management, including entry requirements, structure and research groups.

Mathematics

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Mathematics, including entry requirements, structure and research groups.

Mechanical Engineering

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Mechanical Engineering, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Medieval Studies

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Molecular, Genetic and Lifecourse Epidemiology (Wellcome)

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Molecular, Genetic and Lifecourse Epidemiology, fully funded by the Wellcome Trust for UK students.

MRes Advanced Quantitative Methods

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MRes Economics

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MRes Education

Find out about the University of Bristol's MRes in Education, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MRes Global Political Economy

Mres health sciences research.

Find out about the University of Bristol's MRes in Health Sciences Research, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MRes Security, Conflict and Human Rights

Mres sustainable futures.

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MSc Accounting and Finance

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MSc Accounting, Finance and Management

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MSc Advanced Composites

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MSc Advanced Microelectronic Systems Engineering

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MSc Aerial Robotics

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MSc Applied Neuropsychology

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MSc Applied Neuropsychology (Distance Learning)

Msc applied neuropsychology (online), msc banking, regulation and financial stability.

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MSc Bioinformatics

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MSc Biomedical Engineering

Msc biomedical sciences research.

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MSc Biorobotics

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MSc Business Analytics

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MSc Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship

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MSc by research Global Environmental Challenges

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MSc Cardiovascular Perfusion (distance learning)

Msc cardiovascular perfusion (online), msc climate change science and policy.

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Climate Change Science and Policy, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Clinical Neuropsychology

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Clinical Neuropsychology, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Clinical Perfusion Science

Msc clinical research methods and evidence-based medicine, msc communication networks and signal processing.

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Communication Networks and Signal Processing, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Computer Science (Conversion)

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc conversion programme in Computer Science, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Contemporary Identities

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Contemporary Identities, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Cyber Security (Infrastructures Security)

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MSc Data Science

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Data Science, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Data Science (Distance Learning)

Msc data science (online), msc dental implantology.

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Dental Implantology, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Development and Security

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MSc Digital Health

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MSc Earthquake Engineering and Infrastructure Resilience

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MSc East Asian Development and the Global Economy

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MSc Economics

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Economics, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Economics and Finance

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MSc Economics with Data Science

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Economics with Data Science, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Economics, Finance and Management

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Economics, Finance and Management including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Education (Education and Climate Change)

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MSc Education (Inclusive Education)

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MSc Education (Leadership and Policy)

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MSc Education (Learning, Technology and Society)

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MSc Education (Mathematics Education)

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MSc Education (Neuroscience and Education)

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MSc Education (Open Pathway)

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MSc Education (Policy and International Development)

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MSc Education (Teaching and Learning)

Msc engineering mathematics.

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Engineering Mathematics, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Engineering with Management

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MSc Environmental Analytical Chemistry

Msc environmental modelling and data analysis.

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MSc Environmental Policy and Management

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MSc Epidemiology

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MSc Finance and Investment

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MSc Financial Technology

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MSc Financial Technology with Data Science

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MSc Gender and International Relations

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MSc Geographic Data Science and Spatial Analytics

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MSc Global Development and Environment

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MSc Global Management

Msc global operations and supply chain management.

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MSc Global Wildlife Health and Conservation

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Global Wildlife Health and Conservation, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Health Economics and Health Policy Analysis

Msc health professions education, msc health professions education (online), msc healthcare management, msc healthcare management (online), msc human geography: society and space.

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Human Geography: Society and Space, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Human Resource Management and the Future of Work

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MSc Human-Computer Interaction (Online)

Msc image and video communications and signal processing.

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MSc Immersive Technologies (Virtual and Augmented Reality)

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MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Msc international business and strategy: global challenges.

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MSc International Development

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MSc International Relations

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MSc International Security

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MSc Management

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MSc Management (CSR and Sustainability)

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MSc Management (Digitalisation and Big Data)

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MSc Management (Entrepreneurship and Innovation)

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MSc Management (International Business)

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MSc Management (International Human Resource Management)

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MSc Management (Marketing)

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MSc Management (Project Management)

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MSc Marketing

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MSc Mathematical Sciences

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Mathematical Sciences, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Medical Statistics and Health Data Science

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MSc Molecular Neuroscience

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MSc Nanoscience and Functional Nanomaterials

Msc nuclear science and engineering.

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MSc Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health

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MSc Optical Communications and Signal Processing

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MSc Optoelectronic and Quantum Technologies

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MSc Oral Medicine

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MSc Orthopaedic Research Methods and Evidence-Based Medicine

Msc palaeobiology.

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MSc Perfusion Science

Msc periodontology.

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MSc Policy Research

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Policy Research, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Psychology (Conversion)

Msc psychology of education bps.

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc conversion programme in Psychology of Education, accreddiated by the British Psychological Society,

MSc Public Health

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MSc Public Policy

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MSc Public Policy Analysis (Distance Learning)

Msc reproduction and development.

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MSc Robotics

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Robotics, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Science Communication for a Better Planet

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MSc Scientific Computing with Data Science

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MSc Social and Cultural Theory

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MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship

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MSc Social Science Research Methods (Management)

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MSc Social Science Research Methods (Politics)

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Social Science Research Methods (Politics), including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Social Science Research Methods (Sociology)

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Social Science Research Methods (Sociology), including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Social Work

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Social Work, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Social Work Research

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Social Work Research, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Society, Politics and Climate Change

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Society, Politics and Climate Change, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Socio-Legal Studies

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Socio-Legal Studies, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Sociology

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Sociology, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Stem Cells and Regeneration

Msc stem cells and regeneration (online), msc strategy, change and leadership.

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc and PGCert in Strategy, Change and Leadership, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Sustainable Engineering

Msc teaching and learning for health professionals, msc teaching english to speakers of other languages (tesol).

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Translational Cardiovascular Medicine

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc, PGCert and PGDip in Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, including structure and entry requirements.

MSc Translational Cardiovascular Medicine (Online)

Msc volcanology, msc water and environmental management.

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Water and Environmental Management, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

MSc Wireless Communications and Signal Processing

Find out about the University of Bristol's MSc in Wireless Communications and Signal Processing, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Music, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Oral and Dental Sciences

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Oral and Dental Sciences, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

PG Certificate (Postgraduate Certificate) Clinical Neuropsychology Practice

Find out about the University of Bristol's Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Neuropsychology Practice, including structure and career prospects.

PG Certificate (Postgraduate Certificate) Clinical Oral Surgery

Find out about the University of Bristol's Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Oral Surgery, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

PG Certificate (Postgraduate Certificate) Clinical Perfusion Science

Pg certificate (postgraduate certificate) healthcare improvement, pg certificate (postgraduate certificate) healthcare improvement (online), pg certificate (postgraduate certificate) perfusion science, pg diploma (postgraduate diploma) applied neuropsychology, pg diploma (postgraduate diploma) applied neuropsychology (bristol-based), pg diploma (postgraduate diploma) applied neuropsychology (distance learning), pg diploma (postgraduate diploma) applied neuropsychology (online), pg diploma (postgraduate diploma) clinical neuropsychology.

Find out about the University of Bristol's Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Neuropsychology, including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

PG Diploma (Postgraduate Diploma) Orthodontic Therapy

Pg diploma (postgraduate diploma) philosophy, pg diploma (postgraduate diploma) theoretical and practical clinical neuropsycho, pg diploma (postgraduate diploma) theoretical and practical clinical neuropsychology.

Find out about the University of Bristol's PG Diploma in Theoretical and Practical Clinical Neuropsychology, including structure and entry requirements.

PGCE Education (Secondary)

Find out about the University of Bristol's PGCE in Education (Secondary) including structure, entry requirements and career prospects.

PhD Accounting and Finance

Phd advanced composites, phd advanced quantitative methods, phd aerosol science, phd aerospace engineering, phd anthropology and archaeology, phd biochemistry, phd biological sciences, phd cellular and molecular medicine, phd chemistry, phd civil engineering, phd classics and ancient history, phd comparative literatures and cultures, phd computational statistics and data science: compass, phd computer science, phd creative writing, phd cyber security (tips at scale), phd digital health and care, phd disability studies, phd dynamic molecular cell biology (wellcome trust), phd earth sciences, phd east asian studies, phd economics, phd education, phd electrical and electronic engineering, phd engineering mathematics, phd english literature, phd exercise, nutrition and health, phd film and television, phd geographical sciences (human geography), phd geographical sciences (physical geography), phd global political economy, phd great western four+ doctoral training partnership (nerc), phd health and wellbeing, phd hispanic, portuguese and latin american studies, phd history, phd history of art, phd innovation and entrepreneurship, phd integrative cardiovascular science (bhf), phd interactive artificial intelligence, phd italian, phd management, phd mathematics, phd mechanical engineering, phd medieval studies, phd molecular, genetic and lifecourse epidemiology (wellcome), phd oral and dental sciences, phd philosophy, phd physics, phd physiology, pharmacology and neuroscience, phd politics, phd population health sciences, phd psychology, phd quantum engineering, phd religion and theology, phd robotics and autonomous systems, phd russian, phd security, conflict and human rights, phd social policy, phd social work, phd sociology, phd south west biosciences doctoral training partnership (bbsrc), phd south west doctoral training partnership (esrc), phd sustainable futures, phd technology enhanced chemical synthesis, phd theatre and performance, phd translation, phd translational health sciences, phd veterinary sciences.

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Philosophy, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Physics, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Politics, including key themes and entry requirements.

Population Health Sciences

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Population Health Sciences, including entry requirements, career prospects and research groups.

Practice-Oriented Artificial Intelligence

Quantum information science and technologies, religion and theology.

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Religion and Theology, including structure, entry requirements and supervisors.

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Russian, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Social Policy

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Social Policy, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Social Work

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Social Work, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Sociology, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Sociotechnical Futures and Digital Methods

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Sociotechnical Futures and Digital Methods, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (BBSRC)

Find out about the University of Bristol's South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership, including structure and entry requirements.

Sustainable Futures

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Sustainable Futures, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Technology Enhanced Chemical Synthesis

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Technology Enhanced Chemical Synthesis, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Theatre and Performance

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Theatre and Performance, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Translation

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Translation, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Translational Health Sciences

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Translational Health Sciences, including entry requirements, supervisors and research groups.

Veterinary Sciences

Find out about the University of Bristol's PhD in Veterinary Sciences, including entry requirements, research groups and career prospects.

• Careers and Education
• Careers information

Mechanical engineering careers guide

• Find a graduate scheme

If you're a graduate mechanical engineer in the UK looking for work experience in the industry, a company graduate scheme can improve your career prospects.

In this guide:

• How to find a mechanical engineering job
• Find a work placement, work experience or internship
• Find a voluntary role
• Find a training course or professional development option
• Access careers advice
• Write a compelling covering letter
• How to write a great CV
•   How to succeed in your job interview
•   How to do well at an assessment day
•   How much do engineers earn?
•   Career development - company information

Graduate schemes and internships are a fantastic way to begin your engineering career. You’ll receive all the training and support you need and you’re likely to progress quickly. Often, you get the chance to work across different parts of the company so you can find out which areas of work you’re best suited to.

Find a graduate scheme from our resources

Find out more about our services aimed at graduates , such as opportunities we offer, how to keep your skills up to date, events and training and our Young Members network.

We produce a list of Accredited in-company training schemes that operate under our Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS) .

Find a graduate scheme from other sources

• The Complete University Guide - Top graduate employers listing 
• Gradcracker
• The Times top 100 graduate employers - you’ll need to register for free
• Top 300 Graduate Employers

Find a graduate scheme by sector

• Airbus Group
• BAE Systems
• European Space Agency
• Ministry of Defence -  Defence Engineering and Science Group Graduate Scheme and case studies
• Rolls-Royce
• Jaguar Land Rover

Construction and Building

• Balfour Beatty
• Brookfield Multiplex

Consultancy

Manufacturing.

• Sony internships (global)
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Johnson & Johnson (Bachelor’s students)
• Johnson & Johnson (Master’s, MBA, PhD students)

Multiple Sectors

• General Electric
• Royal Mail Group
• National Grid
• nucleargraduates
• Schlumberger
• British Sugar
• ConocoPhillips
• Johnson Matthey
• Network Rail
• Porterbrook
• Transport for London

• Department of Mechanical Engineering
• Postgraduate study

Funding and scholarships

Fees and funding for postgraduate research degrees.

Sources of funding

Home students.

The main sources of support for Home research and taught course graduate students are the Research Councils. Each body covers particular disciplines and departments within the University and Mechanical Engineering is supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

In general, applications are submitted by the department, on behalf of students who are already registered or have been made an offer by the department. Details of the types of award offered by the Councils, together with full application criteria, can be obtained from EPSRC website.

EPSRC website

EU students

Students from countries in the EU may be eligible for a 'fees only' award from the EPSRC. Please see the ESPRC website for further details.

Overseas students

Overseas students will need to ensure they have secured funding before applying for a research programme

Department funded opportunities

The department has a number of fully-funded PhD research opportunities available. 

The IDC in Machining Science at the University of Sheffield is a joint enterprise between the Faculty of Engineering (particularly Mechanical Engineering) and the multi-award-winning Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

The IDC offers approximately seven EPSRC/industry joint funded Engineering Doctorate (EngD) studentships and three PhDs each year, with the aim of producing academic and industrial researchers with skills and expertise at the forefront of knowledge in machining science.

Our EngD students are part of a vibrant research team committed to helping UK industry develop and maintain a world-leading capability in high-value manufacturing sectors that involve machining processes.

For more information about the IDC and the PhD and EngD programme, see the IDC in Machining Science .

Current PhD and EngD Opportunities

You can search currently available four year PhD and EngD Studentships  here. Please check the site from time to time as new studentships are announced as they become available from sponsors.

We also have a mailing list which you can join to receive project announcements and other news from the IDC in Machining Science. Please email [email protected] with your details and the subject "Join IDC Mailing List."

You can also follow us on Twitter for all of the latest news at @IDCMachSci.

Led by The University of Nottingham in collaboration with the University of Sheffield and Cardiff University

This Centre of Doctoral Training (CDT) will involve over 50 recognised academics with expertise in energy-intensive industries to provide comprehensive supervisory capacity across the theme for around 60 doctoral students. It will provide an innovative training programme co-created with our Partners to meet their advanced skills needs. 

This will provide the highly trained personnel needed to enable UK-based industry to tackle the challenges in decarbonising major industrial sectors such as power, steel and heating through innovative and inventive uses of existing energy infrastructure, making new products and transmitting energy in new ways or in new forms.

The strategic vision of the CDT is to develop a world-leading Centre focused on delivering research leaders and next-generation innovators with broad economic, societal and contextual awareness, having strong technical and/or professional skills and capable of operating in multi-disciplinary teams covering a range of knowledge transfer, deployment and policy roles.

They will be able to analyse the overall economic context of projects and be aware of their social and ethical implications. These skills will enable them to contribute to stimulating UK-based industry to develop next-generation technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and ultimately improve the UK's position globally through increased jobs and exports.

Key research themes include:

• Techniques to carbon-neutral fuels such as biomass and hydrogen to be used in systems designed for fossil fuels
• Use of CO2 as a chemical feedstock for industry and manufacture – turning a waste into a product.
• Use of biomass as a feedstock for chemical processes as a replacement for fossil fuels.
• CO2 capture technologies for a range of in industrial sectors, including power, iron, steel, cement and glass-making.
• Automation of large energy-intensive processes to improve their flexibility and emission performance.
• Engineering Doctorate Studentships
• Up to 10 Engineering Doctorate postgraduate studentships starting October 2019 are available. Students should be of high academic calibre and merit.

Students who satisfy the UK residency requirement will need either a first class or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject such as: Chemical, Environmental or Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Metallurgy, Physics, Sociology, Psychology or Mathematics.

The EngD training offers:

• An in-depth four year training programme
• A non-taxed stipend of up to £18,500per year; much higher than a conventional PhD
• Up to three years' extensive research time in industry
• International travel for conferences and industrial/lab visits
• Attendance at annual Winter Schools to share knowledge with researchers across the Centre and with other groups working in related areas.
• Preparation for high-level careers in the energy sector
• Industrial Involvement

Researchers will spend time working closely with one or more of our partners, and most will pursue a research project based at one of the organisations. Applications for Doctoral research are invited to work with the following partners (amongst others):

Johnson Matthey

GE (General Electric Company)

WSP Group plc

Cultivate Innovation Ltd

Biomass Power

Ashwell Biomass Solutions

Glosfume Limited

Mineral and Energy Economy Res

Thermocore Europe Ltd

Drax Power Limited

Freeland Horticulture

Biomass and Fossil Fuel Res Alliance

EDF Energy Plc

Tata Steel Europe

Carbon Clean Solutions Limited

Energy Systems Catapult

Clean Electricity Generation

International Flame Research Foundation

RJM International

Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru)

HiETA Technologies Ltd

Wales & West Utilities

Promethean Particles Ltd

CPL Industries Group Limited

Siemens plc

Electric Power Research Institute

Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Innospec Environmental Ltd

Doosan Babcock Power Systems

Projects will match both the interests of the researcher and the partner(s) involved. For further information please contact  Professor Derek B Ingham 

Phone: +44 114 215 7215

Email:  [email protected]

How to apply

To apply, send a CV with a covering letter to Professor Robin Irons, Centre Director, at [email protected]

University Scholarships

The University offers a limited number of scholarships, which are open to Home and overseas research students. Further details can be found on the Research and Innovation Service's website.

Research and Innovations Service

Related information

Applying for a PhD

Search for PhD opportunities at Sheffield and be part of our world-leading research.

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Service to a nation

Alum Kenneth Bible concludes a 40-year career in public service

Mechanical Engineering (master’s) alum Kenneth Bible has witnessed plenty of changes during his career. For example, when he started his professional career as a nuclear engineer at the former Charleston Naval Shipyard in 1985, the average starting salary for an entry level engineer was just over $27,400. Bible also had his own career transitions, which took him in some unexpected directions.

This past April, Bible retired from a nearly 40-year career. While he started in nuclear and mechanical engineering, he later made significant impacts on the nation’s information technology (IT) and cybersecurity.

Bible spent eight years at the Charleston Naval Shipyard before plans were announced to close the facility in 1993. Employees were offered opportunities to seek retraining, which included the University of South Carolina’s APOGEE, a distance education program designed to meet the needs of employed professionals.

Bible was hesitant about returning to school while working full time, but after successfully completing his first few classes, he applied and was accepted to the College of Engineering and Computing’s mechanical engineering master’s program. Each week he watched VHS tapes that were shipped to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and attended one live session via closed-circuit television. He graduated from the program in 1996.

“In the mid-1990s, this was pretty cutting edge. Going back after 10 years was a little intimidating, but the counselors and faculty in the program were very encouraging,” Bible says.

Mingling mechanical engineering with information technology

Bible’s graduate education was influential in his transition to the IT world. In 1994, he relocated to the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic (SPAWAR) in Charleston, now known as the Naval Information Warfare Center . While expected to work as a project engineer, his department heads wanted to utilize his knowledge in geospatial information systems (GIS), a technology he learned at the shipyard by mapping radioactive waste sites. But to work in GIS, he had to justify his master’s degree in mechanical engineering to his new supervisors.

“Because I got pulled into GIS technology that SPAWAR was building, I had to take a different look at my degree. My boss wanted to know how mechanical engineering would relate,” Bible says. “My advisor and the faculty at USC helped me figure out how to put these technologies together.”

Bible’s professors helped him develop an independent study surrounding the cause of premature clotting of dialysis bypass grafts. To tie this problem to mechanical engineering, Bible applied the university’s finite element analysis supercomputing system to analyze possible causes. He connected this to his work at SPAWAR by addressing the networking challenges in running these advanced computing technologies remotely between Columbia and Charleston.

“The university was flexible with my coursework and fostered curiosity and study across disciplines to learn how mechanical engineering applies when solving a medical problem,” Bible says.

Bible worked at SPAWAR for 16 years, which included a supervisory position in networking and communications and division head for the network engineering division. When the Navy began updating to a global network, Bible was asked to be the technology director for the system program office and later chief engineer, a role that took him from Charleston to the SPAWAR headquarters in Washington, D.C.

In the early part of my career, I aways looked for opportunities to have an impact and ensure our national institutions were performing the services the country needed.  - Kenneth Bible

Bible became the Marine Corps’ chief technology advisor at the Pentagon in 2013. Two years later, he was promoted to deputy chief information officer, where he developed broad policy guidance for IT, cybersecurity and communications infrastructure. In 2021, after 36 years of service to the Navy and Marine Corps, Bible craved a view of government from the civilian side. He accepted an opportunity at the Department of Homeland Security as chief information security officer, the final post of his career with the U.S. government.

Celebrating decades of service to a nation

In honor of his contributions to the nation, President Joe Biden awarded him Distinguished Rank in 2023. One of Bible’s most influential contributions was as chief engineer for the Navy’s Environmental Information Management System, a GIS-based program that supports environmental planning, natural resources management and encroachment issues. Bible built the program in 2000 alongside a team of ship drivers, lawyers, environmental groups, IT personnel and biologists in response to dolphins stranded in the Bahamas.

“The Navy is a huge steward of sea and ocean research, and this triggered an enormous environmental push,” he says. “A tremendous team came together that I was fortunate to lead, creating a system that has lasted 24 years.”

Bible was also instrumental in the response to the Solar Winds incident in 2020, one of the largest incursions into the U.S. government’s IT infrastructure. After Russian hackers breached SolarWinds software by injecting malware and affecting thousands of customers, including the U.S. government, Bible was involved in the Department of Homeland Security’s response. This experience formed much of his strategy for the department’s risk management and cybersecurity. Bible also developed technological changes to the national defense strategy, such as Advana, the Department of Defense’s authoritative source for audit and business data analytics, and guided the production of the first fully accredited secure software development pipelines.

“In the early part of my career, I aways looked for opportunities to have an impact and ensure our national institutions were performing the services the country needed. It was a blessing to have that many chances to make a mark,” Bible says.

Looking to the future

Bible continues to make an impact even in his retirement. He is a panelist for the Walker Institute of International and Area Studies, USC's center for global research and outreach.

“Ken is one of the most well-versed people in the cyber and AI arena in the nation. He is always in demand, but he has never said no to helping me,” says Jodi Salter, program manager for the Walker Institute.

Salter is also founding board chair for South Carolina Women in Technology and director of SC Cyber. Bible mentors’ students and assists these organizations in achieving their missions.

“Ken is the biggest champion of growing the number of women in the cyber area,” Salter says. “He has developed a relationship with every student I’ve connected him with. He’s a giver, a civil servant at heart and always will be.”

Bible admits that mechanical engineering has evolved and become more specialized. While technological advances are undoubtedly advantageous, he cautions students against specializing too early in their education. Instead, he recommends a broad engineering degree focusing on large categories of study that can be applied to any problem.

“Be aware that the job you will ultimately end up in hasn’t been invented yet,” Bible says. “An engineering education at the undergraduate level is about understanding methods and learning how to break large problems into smaller things you can solve. Build curiosity and be willing to research something you don’t know. You may be surprised where that leads.”

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

Imperial College London Imperial College London

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Department of Mechanical Engineering

• Faculty of Engineering
• Departments, institutes and centres
• PhD opportunities

Current PhD studentships

Explore the drop down lists below to find out more about current PhD studentships. 

Accordion widget

Phd studentship in acl injury prevention and return to sport in elite female footballers (prof andrew amis).

Supervisor: Professor Andrew Amis

Deadline for applying: 30 June 2024

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of Female ACL injury in Elite Football leading to the award of a PhD degree.  The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate) provided by the Football Association.

The project will be managed jointly by The Football Association (FA) and Imperial College (IC) with expert surgical input from Fortius Clinic, London. The work will largely be ‘in the field’ with a base at the Biomechanics research group at IC’s South Kensington campus.

It is expected that the project will entail development and use of in-depth evaluation methods that can be used with identified players and the participating clubs to understand current training methods, development pathways and physical development programmes and their relation to ACL injury, to document histories of those who have been injured and to evaluate post-injury treatment/rehabilitation methods and the long-term outcomes in terms of return to play at elite level. This work will lead to evidence-based recommendations for injury prevention and return to sport for the women’s professional game in England. It is expected that this project will identify key modifiable risk factors, leading to improvements in training/rehabilitation methods which can be widely implemented to help improve outcomes for players throughout the women’s game.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st class honours degree or similar qualification in Physiotherapy, Sports Science, Medicine or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in sports medicine is essential.  Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.

To find out more about research at Imperial College London in this area, go to:

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/research/

For information on how to apply, go to:

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/study/phd/how-to-apply/

For further details of the post contact Prof Andrew Amis: [email protected] , +44 (0)7722 225409.  Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae and statement of motivation to Prof Amis. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry. The project is pending contractual confirmation, but we hope the successful candidate will be able to start in the next few months once contracts are finalised.

Closing date: 30 th June 2024

PhD Studentship in Additive Manufacturing – In-situ process monitoring (Dr Paul Hooper and Dr Catrin Davies)

Supervisors: Paul Hooper, Catrin Davies

Deadline for applying: 31 January 2024

Applications are invited for research studentships in the field of additive manufacturing leading to the award of a PhD degree.  The posts are supported by bursary and fees (home fee status).

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies have a promising list of potential benefits for low to medium volume manufacture. Understanding the structural integrity of AM components is key to their increased use in high performance and safety critical applications. This PhD project, sponsored by Renishaw plc, will focus on developing new in-situ process monitoring and control strategies to both monitor and improve build quality of metal components made via selective laser melting. The PhD is part of a wider project focusing on accelerating the quality assurance of additively manufactured parts using in-process monitoring data and machine learning. The research will be performed using Imperial’s new AM facility (that includes four laser powder bed fusion machines, 2 x Renishaw AM250, an Aconity Midi and a Concept MLab), world class materials characterisation and test facilities and high performance computing systems.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a first or upper second honours degree in engineering, physics, computing or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. Applicants should have an interests in one or more of additive manufacturing, image processing, sensing machine learning, real-time control systems, welding and metallic materials. A passion for engineering, demonstrated by extra-curricular activities or industrial experience is also desirable.  Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.

For further details of the post contact Dr Paul Hooper ( [email protected] ) or Dr Catrin Davies ( [email protected] ). Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae and cover letter to Dr Hooper on the above e-mail address.  Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

Closing date: 31 st Jan 2024

PhD Studentship in Additives for EV Lubrications (Dr Janet Wong)

Supervisor: Janet Wong

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of Additives for EV lubrications leading to the award of a PhD degree.  The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate) provided by Shell UTC. To be eligible for support, applicants must be “UK Residents” as defined by EPSRC. 

This project is a part of a large effort for our zero transition initiatives. Our goal is to design the best coolant and lubricant for EV through a fundamental understanding on how we may control the behaviour of additives under the influence of an electric field. This has a direct impact on the performance and reliability of EV. Ultimately, we aim to revolutionise lubricant technology by creating smart, responsive lubricants that can lubricate on demand!

In this experimental project, the PhD researcher will examine how an application of an electric field affects the behaviour of various additives. This will involve both fundamental and applied studies. The researcher will design experimental setup that allows various additives properties to be measured in situ and in real time during rubbing. This will allow a direct correlation between additive behaviour and tribological performance of a lubricant. The project will also be supplemented using other techniques, include advanced laser spectroscopies, and various surface and chemical characterisation techniques.

This project will be based at Imperial College with regular interaction with our project partners. The PhD researcher will be a part of the Shell UTC and the Tribology Group. It offers a vibrant, multidisciplinary and multicultural working environment. Laboratories were recently refurbished and are well equipped with an extensive range of instrumentation and extensive computer facilities.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will hold, or be expected to achieve, a Master’s degree or a 4-year undergraduate degree at 2:1 level (or above) in a relevant subject, e.g. Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Materials, Chemistry, Physics or a related field. You will have an enquiring, rigorous and hands-on approach to research, together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in experimental work and development is essential, as are good team-working, observational and communication skills.

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanicalengineering

For further details of the post contact Dr Janet Wong ( [email protected] ). Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae.  Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

Closing date: until post filled

PhD Studentship in Battery Fire Safety (Dr Huizhi Wang)

Supervisors: Huizhi Wang, Guillermo Rein

Deadline for applying: until post filled

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of energy storage, leading to the award of a Ph.D. degree. The focus will be on advancing fundamental understanding of thermal and fire hazards of lithium-ion batteries, which will underpin the development of safety control strategies and countermeasures for lithium-ion batteries. The post is supported by full bursary and fees at the UK student rate for ‘home’ students.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/apply/fees/fee-status/

Project Description

Lithium-ion batteries play an important role in advancing the electrification of road transport and facilitating a swift transition towards renewable energy sources. Although they are generally stable under normal conditions, lithium-ion batteries are inherently flammable and susceptible to thermal runaway when exposed to abuse or internal defects. As the demand for lithium-ion batteries continues to soar, understanding their thermal and fire hazards throughout their lifecycle has become imperative.

This research aims to contribute fundamental insights into the intricate interplay between battery cycling conditions and thermal and fire hazards. The research will involve the coupling of a cutting-edge battery electrochemical model with an advanced thermal runaway model, which will be parameterised and validated using experimental data. The project outcomes will lay a scientific foundation for enhancing safety of future energy storage systems.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will hold, or be expected to achieve, a Master’s degree or a 4-year undergraduate degree at 2:1 level (or above) in a relevant subject, e.g. Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Materials, Chemistry, Physics or a related field. You are expected to have an enquiring and rigorous approach to research, complemented by a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. A willingness to work on both computations and experiments, with excellent teamwork and communication skills, is essential.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/electrochem-sci-eng/

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/hazelab/

For further details of the post, please contact Dr Huizhi Wang,  [email protected] . Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Huizhi Wang. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) studentship – Conservation of Metal Surfaces with English Heritage (Dr Marc Masen)

Supervisor: Dr Marc Masen

Deadline for applying: 19 May 2024

Start date : 1st October 2024

Interviews will take place on 24 May 2024

Imperial College London and English Heritage are pleased to announce the availability of a fully funded Collaborative doctoral studentship [from October 2024] under the AHRC’s Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships (CDP) scheme

The project will focus on understanding the deterioration and corrosion of metal parts and exhibits in museums, with the purpose of defining a long-term mitigation strategy.

This project will be jointly supervised by Dr Marc Masen (Imperial College London) and Dr David Thickett (Senior Conservation Scientist, English Heritage) with support from Finn Giuliani and Mary Ryan at Imperial College London and Martin Allfrey (Senior Curator of Collections (West)) at English Heritage and the student will be expected to spend time at both Imperial College London and English Heritage, as well as becoming part of the wider cohort of CDP funded students across the UK.

The studentship can be studied either full or part-time.

We encourage the widest range of potential students to study for this CDP studentship and are committed to welcoming students from different backgrounds to apply. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, Minority, Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds as they are currently underrepresented at this level in this area. 

Students should have a Master’s Degree in a relevant subject or can demonstrate equivalent experience in a professional setting.

The studentship is open to both home and international applicants.

Project Overview 

Heritage objects are often displayed under non-ideal environmental conditions. A prime example within English Heritage are the tools historically used in production at the J.W. Evans Silver factory in Birmingham. These artefacts are susceptible to degradation due to wear and corrosion, and this project aims to provide a solution. We aim to identify and understand historic and current protective measures by a combination of archival, patent and literature research as well as interviews with craftspeople and experts.

Research questions include:

• How can the topology and composition of existing substances on the surface be characterised?
• Can we prevent metal artefacts from degradation, whilst these artefacts are kept on display and being used in demonstrations?
• How to summarise this knowledge into evidence-based pragmatic guidelines?

Research with English Heritage

This research studentship is one allocated to Dr Masen at Imperial College London by the AHRC to support the work of Dr David Thickett at English Heritage. The successful student will be expected to spend time carrying out research and gaining relevant experience with the partner in London, as well as at the JW Evans site in Birmingham as part of the studentship.

Details of Award

CDP doctoral training grants fund full-time studentships for 4 years or part-time equivalent up to a maximum of 6 years.      

The award pays tuition fees up to the value of the full-time home UKRI rate for PhD degrees. Research Councils UK Indicative Fee Level for 2023/2024 is £ 4,786 *

The award pays full maintenance for all students both home and international students. The UKRI National Minimum Doctoral Stipend for 2023/2024 is £19,237, plus London Weighting of £2000/year plus a CDP maintenance payment of £600/year.

The student is eligible to receive an additional travel and related expenses grant during the course of the project courtesy of English Heritage worth up to £1,000 per year for 4 years.

The successful candidate will be eligible to participate in events organised for all Collaborative Doctoral Partnership students who are registered with different universities and studying with cultural and heritage organisations across the UK.

Eligibility

• This studentship is open to both Home and International applicants.
• To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have settled status, or
• Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter

Further guidance can be found here -  https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UKRI-030221-Guidance-International-Eligibility-Implementation-training-grant-holders-V2.pdf

International students are eligible to receive the full award for maintenance as are home students. For international students, the Department of Mechanical Engineering will waive the difference between the home and international tuition fee.

• We want to encourage the widest range of potential students to study for a CDP studentship and are committed to welcoming students from different backgrounds to apply. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, Minority, Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds as they are currently underrepresented at this level in this area. 
• Applicants should ideally have or expect to receive a relevant Masters-level qualification in a relevant subject [Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry or Conservation Science], or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience in a professional setting.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate an interest in the Conservation Science sector and potential and enthusiasm for developing skills more widely in related areas.
• As a collaborative award, students will be expected to spend time at both Imperial College London and English Heritage.
• All applicants must meet UKRI terms and conditions for funding. See:

https://www.ukri.org/funding/information-for-award-holders/grant-terms-and-conditions/

Project details and how to apply

For more information and how to apply see http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/study/phd/how-to-apply/

PhD Studentship in Development of a vibration management concept for gas turbine engines (Dr Christoph Schwingshackl)

Supervisor: Christoph Schwingshackl

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of future aeroengine technology, leading to the award of a PhD degree.  The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate) provided by the EPSRC, with a generous bursary top-up from industrial funds.  EPSRC candidates should fulfil the eligibility criteria for the award. 

The design of efficient and safe next generation gas turbines requires among other things a reliable control of rotor vibrations to prevent a rapid loss of structural integrity during operation. Future engine designs require novel vibration management concepts that can replace conventional rotor damping solutions, such as squeeze film dampers (SFDs). This PhD research aims to deliver such a novel vibration management mechanism that shall be scalable, weight efficient and capable of operating across a wide frequency and load ranges (from normal vibration to extreme fan-blade-off loads) in a safety critical aerospace environment. The aim thereby is to research different potential energy absorption approaches (eg. the use of structural non-linearity, smart materials, topology optimisation, …), evaluate their potential with respect to shaft damping in turbo machinery, provide the physical understanding and numerical tools to analyse, predict, select, optimise and design a novel shaft damping solution, and demonstrate the designs feasibility with a simple proof of concept setup on a laboratory rig. The student will be a member of a Vibration UTC, funded by Rolls-Royce 35 years ago with a long demonstrable history of delivering state of the art research and producing world-class specialists both for industry and academia. The candidate will have the opportunity to an internship at Rolls-Royce during their PhD.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st class honours degree in mechanical engineering or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in numerical and experimental dynamic techniques is essential.  Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.

To find out more about this PhD opportunity, go to:

https://youtu.be/KasvTVxkWPc

or https://www.imperial.ac.uk/dynamics/research/structural-dynamics/

For further details of the post contact Dr Christoph Schwingshackl [email protected] .  Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Schwingshackl.  Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

PhD studentship in High-fidelity modelling of clad ballooning during a loss-of-coolant accident (Dr Mike Bluck)

Supervisors: Dr Michael Bluck (Mechanical Engineering), Dr Mark Wenman (Materials)

Applications are invited for a PhD research studentship in the field of high-fidelity modelling of clad ballooning in nuclear reactor loss-of-coolant accidents.  The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK/EU student rate) provided by the EPSRC and the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL). Candidates should fulfil the eligibility criteria for the award.  Please check your suitability.

T he loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) is generally the limiting design-basis accident in a LWR. In the event of such an accident, the fission chain reaction is automatically shutdown, however there remains ‘decay heat’ generation, perhaps 7% of operating power, for some hours following the accident. Removal of this decay heat requires that sufficient coolant can be brought into the core, and that the core, during this time, retains a "coolable geometry". This is not guaranteed - excessively hot, internally pressurised fuel pins can deform - so called ‘clad ballooning’ - and possibly form blockages to the flow. 

A major focus of the reactor safety case is therefore to ensure that the consequences of a LOCA are manageable. To do so, we must understand and model both the complex mechanical behaviour of the fuel and outer cladding, and the coolant flow over the fuel pins. Indeed, these effects are strongly interdependent.

The aim is to develop a state-of-the-art computer code system to predict the 3-D clad ballooning behaviour of rods in a light water reactor (LWR) fuel bundle during a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). The code system will involve the dynamic coupling of a state-of-the-art 3-D fuel rod performance code with a state-of-the-art 3-D thermal-hydraulics code, will be validated using experimental data, and will be demonstrated for an LWR fuel assembly. 

The position is a collaboration between the Nuclear Engineering Group within the Mechanical Engineering Department and the Engineering Alloys Group within the Department of Materials. This PhD is funded by the UKRI/EPSRC and the UK National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL).

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st class or 2:1 honours degree in mechanical engineering or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in fracture mechanics is essential.  Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.

Find out more about research at Imperial College London in this area:

Department of Materials

More information on how to apply

Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Michael Bluck, [email protected].  Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

Closing date: until post filled 

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PhD Studentship in High-Rate Fracture of Forged and 3D-printed Metallic Alloys (Dr Paul Hooper)

Supervisor:  Dr Paul Hooper

Deadline for applying:  30 September 2021

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of fracture and high strain-rate materials characterisation, leading to the award of a PhD degree.  The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK/EU student rate) provided by AWE plc.

This PhD project aims to advance our understanding of the influence of strain rate and sample size on the fracture toughness of nuclear grade A508 forged steel and 3D printed Ti-6Al-4V manufactured through laser powder bed fusion. Strain rate is known to affect the mechanical properties of alloys, especially the yield strength and fracture toughness. Conventional fracture toughness methods used under quasi-static loading, such as pausing and unloading tests at predefined displacements do not work at high-speed. This leads to uncertainty in predicting the structural integrity of structures which may experience high speed loading scenarios in service. In this PhD you will develop innovative high-speed experimental methods to overcome the limitations of the established quasi-static approach. This will include the design and development of a method to load a compact tension (CT), or single edge notch bend (SENB) specimen, at high-speed (>10 m/s) to a fixed displacement to prevent the specimen fully fracturing into 2 pieces. You will learn to use high-speed photography and apply techniques to measure sample deformation. Alongside the experimental aspects of this project, you will also develop finite element models and analytical techniques to gain further insight into the results obtained. You will also have the opportunity to travel to and present your work at international conferences.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st class or 2.1 honours degree in mechanical engineering or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. Practical engineering, problem-solving and computational abilities are key skills for this PhD project. Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/mechanicalengineering

For further details of the post contact Dr Paul Hooper [email protected] or Dr Catrin Davies [email protected] . Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Paul Hooper.  Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

Closing date: 30 th September 2021

PhD Studentship in High-strain Rate Tensile Testing of Soft and Energetic Materials (Dr Paul Hooper)

Supervisor:  Dr Paul Hooper

Deadline for applying: 30 September 2021

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of high strain-rate materials characterisation, leading to the award of a PhD degree. The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK/EU student rate) provided by AWE plc.

This PhD project aims to develop innovative experimental methods to measure the stress-strain response of soft materials at high strain-rates.  Although the testing of metallic samples under these conditions is fairly mature, measuring the properties of softer materials (such as organic materials and polymer bonded explosives) is much more challenging. Dynamic loading of soft materials is challenging due mismatch in stiffness between the samples and loading fixture. Even holding the sample in place can be difficult due to their low stiffness and tendency to deform under their own weight. These difficulties can give rise to large uncertainties in measurements of mechanical properties in soft materials, especially in non-compressive loading. In this PhD you will advance the state-of-the-art to overcome these limitations through the development of novel dynamic testing equipment at strain-rates of 1,000/s (faster than a car crash) and above. The approach taken will be a miniaturised Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) design that will enable testing of soft materials that are difficult to prepare into test specimens and introducing a high level of automation into the test procedure to reduce or eliminate operator variability. You will learn to use high-speed photography (think The Slow Mo Guys ) to measure sample deformation and investigate the effects connection arrangement between the loading bars and sample. You will also have the opportunity to develop finite element models to further our understanding of testing these materials at high-strain rates and to travel and present your work at international conferences.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st class or 2.1 honours degree in mechanical engineering or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. Practical engineering and problem-solving abilities are key skills for this PhD project. Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.

For further details of the post contact Dr Paul Hooper [email protected] . Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Paul Hooper.  Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

PhD Studentship in Laser processing of challenging materials (Dr Iuliia Tirichenko, Dr Fred Cegla)

Supervisors: Iuliia Tirichenko, Fred Cegla

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of laser processing of materials (graphene-enabled laser joining and repairs) leading to the award of a PhD degree.  The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate) provided by the PhD Scholarship of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

In the era of industrial sustainability, there's a growing emphasis on prioritizing material repair and reuse over incessant production. The principles of "repair, don't replace" and "First Time Right" are at the forefront, highlighting the need for enhanced quality control and sustainable fabrication methods. As the complexity and scale of the components we produce continue to expand, the demand for reliable methods to securely join dissimilar materials has surged. Laser processing, especially laser welding, emerges as a promising solution, particularly in industries like aerospace and transportation.

However, a significant challenge arises when it comes to materials that do not readily absorb laser light, rendering them unsuitable for laser processing. This is particularly relevant for refractory materials, which require exceptionally high temperatures for melting or sintering. The effective conversion of laser light into heat is crucial in these cases.

Our research project aims to address this challenge by exploring a universal enhancer – chemically modified graphene. Graphene possesses the unique ability to efficiently absorb laser light across a broad range of wavelengths and convert it into heat through the photothermal effect. When graphene is introduced to refractory compounds, it enhances their laser processability, making them suitable for laser melting and sintering manufacturing methods. Our research will involve the synthesis of various graphene variants, blending them with feedstock powders, and using them to create joints and repairs. Throughout the project, we will conduct continuous characterization to understand how the composition of the materials and the presence of graphene affect laser processability and the quality of the joints.

In addition to this, we will develop a novel in-situ non-destructive evaluation method as part of the project. This method will enable us to monitor the quality of joints by utilizing high-frequency modulations of the laser source, which emit ultrasonic waves that can be detected and used for inspection.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London, holding or expecting a First-Class or high 2:1 MSc degree in engineering, materials, chemistry, physics or related fields. Keen to investigate graphene's impact on laser processing, they'll work on experiments and tech development, which will require teamwork, observation, and communication skills. For eligibility, applicants must be "UK Residents" per EPSRC's definition ( https://www.ukri.org/what-we-do/developing-people-and-skills/esrc/funding-for-postgraduate-training-and-development/eligibility-for-studentship-funding/ ). The 3.5-year studentship, commencing in 2023, covers tuition fees and offers an annual tax-free stipend.

For further details of the post contact Dr Iuliia Tirichenko (Elizarova) [email protected] , Dr. Frederic Cegla [email protected] +44 (0)20 75948096. Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to the email addresses above.  Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

PhD Studentship in Lubrication in an inert gas environment – a new route to sustainability (Dr Janet Wong)

Supervisor: Dr Janet Wong

The useful life of liquid lubricants and greases is limited by the fact that they oxidise in air. This requires regular oil change and disposal, limits the temperatures at which lubricants can be used, and greatly constrains the application of environmentally-friendly vegetable oils. Prevention of lubricant oxidation would thus make a major contribution to sustainability and the environment. Our group is developing an exciting concept to prevent lubricant oxidation via “inerting” closed lubricated systems. This concept can potentially bring significant benefit to performance of transmissions of electric vehicle, wind-turbine, industrial gearboxes and hydraulics. For more details, please see the link below:

Zhang, J., Wong, J.S.S., and Spikes, H.A., 'Lubrication in an Inert Atmosphere - a New Era in Lubricant Technology', STLE Annual Meeting, Long Beach, May 24th 2023.

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of lubrication and tribochemistry, leading to the award of a PhD degree. The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate) provided by Shell. The studentship is for 3.5 years, starting as soon as possible and will provide full coverage of standard tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of approximately £20k. Home (based on UKRI criteria) and international candidates will be considered.

This experimental project will study performance of lubricants in inert conditions. Using advance tribological and analytical techniques, you will answer the following research questions: (i) Do lubricants designed to work in air function effectively in the absence of oxygen and if now, why not and how can they be changed? (ii) How, if at all. do lubricants degrade in the absence of oxygen? The answers to these will then be used to formulate and apply inerted lubricants in real applications.

The project will be hosted by The Tribology Group at Imperial College, which is a vibrant, world-leading research group with unparalleled experimental and modelling equipment facilities. You will be supervised by Dr Janet Wong and Professor Hugh Spikes. You will be expected to study at a Shell location for a minimum period of 3 months and be part of a larger community of Shell-funded researchers in the Group who are working on lubricant and electric vehicle-related projects.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st class honours degree or a high 2:1 degree at Master level (or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Materials, Chemistry or a related science and branch of engineering. You have an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits.  Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.

For further details of the post contact Dr Janet Wong [email protected] . Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Wong.  Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

PhD Studentship in Metal Forming and Materials Modelling (Dr Xiaoyu Xi)

Supervisor: Dr Xiaoyu Xi

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of Metal Forming and Materials Modelling, leading to the award of a PhD degree. The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK/EU student rate) provided by the sponsors in the aviation, aerospace and railway industries.

A number of PhD positions are available for UK and EU nationals. The research involves development of advanced metal forming and modelling techniques, and will be carried out at the Metal Forming and Materials Modelling Group. The research activities of the group cover a wide range of areas from theoretical and computational solid mechanics to experimental materials research. These research works involve a wide range of industries, including aerospace, aeronautical, automotive and locomotive.

There are two main research themes within the group: Metal Forming Technologies and Materials Modelling. The Metal Forming research focuses on the development of advanced forming processes e.g. manufacturing lightweight structural materials into high-strength and complex shaped engineering components and cloud based FEA (Contact Dr. L. Wang at  [email protected] to make enquires). The Materials Modelling tackles the fundamental challenges in materials behaviour at microscopic scale e.g. the distribution and evolution of microstructure and defects as functions of loading, temperature and loading rate, and link them with the macroscopic mechanical responses e.g. formability and damage tolerance (Contact Dr. J. Jiang at  [email protected] to make enquires).

Over the past decade, the group has successfully developed several world-leading forming technologies and novel materials modelling methods. These techniques have been directly implemented in automotive and aerospace industries. Three research centres and one joint lab have been established. The group is currently led by several world-leading experts in material forming, including Prof. Jianguo Lin, FREng, Dr. Liliang Wang, Dr. Daniel Balint and Dr. Jun Jiang, and has secured over £15 M funding from industries, UK and EU research councils. Over 60 research staff and students are supported through them. To view a current list of projects please visit our website http://www.imperial.ac.uk/metal-forming/ .

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st class honours degree (or equivalent) and/or a distinction MSc degree (if applicable) in engineering or a related subject, and have an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.

To find out more about research at Imperial College London in this area, go to:  http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/mechanicalengineering

For information on how to apply, go to:   http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/study/phd/how-to-apply/

For further details of the post contact Dr Xiaoyu Xi at [email protected] , +44 (0)20 7594 9546. Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Xiaoyu Xi. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

Imperial Managers lead by example.

Committed to equality and valuing diversity. We are also an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Two Ticks Employer, and are working in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people

PhD Studentship in Molecular Simulations of Food Biotribology (Dr James Ewen)

Supervisor: James Ewen

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of Molecular Simulations of Food Biotribology, leading to the award of a PhD degree.   The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the  UK student rate ) provided by the Mechanical Engineering Department, and it is  open to ‘home’ students : https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/apply/fees/fee-status/ . The project will be supervised by Dr James P. Ewen, Dr Marc Masen, Prof. Philippa Cann (Tribology Group), and Prof. Maria Charalambides (Soft Solids Group).

The project will involve applying molecular dynamics simulations to study food biotribology inside the mouth. This is important because friction and lubrication play a crucial role in determining the sensory attributes and perceived quality of food products. Coarse-grained molecular models of biological surfaces in the mouth (e.g., tongue, palate, and teeth), saliva (water, electrolytes, and mucus), and specific food components (e.g., proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates) will be developed. These models will then be used in non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations to study the rheology and friction of food components under physiological conditions representative of chewing and swallowing. We will incorporate information from the molecular simulations into larger-scale models, such as the finite element method (FEM). The developed models will be validated against experiments to measure the wettability and friction of food formulations using biomimetic surfaces.

The proposed project will contribute to the fundamental understanding of food biotribology, addressing key challenges in food science and technology. By elucidating the molecular basis of sensory perception and mouthfeel, the findings will facilitate the design of healthier, more appealing food products with enhanced nutritional value and consumer acceptance. Furthermore, the insights gained from this project can be extended to other applications, such as oral medicines and protein shakes, where biotribological interactions inside the mouth also play a crucial role in product performance and consumer satisfaction.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a first or upper second-class honours degree in mechanical engineering, bioengineering, chemistry, physics, materials science, or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential. An interest in advanced multi-scale modelling is desirable.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/tribology/

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/research/mechanics-of-materials/composites-adhesives-and-soft-solids/soft-solids/

For further details of the post, please contact Dr James P. Ewen [email protected] . Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Ewen. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

PhD Studentship in Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) (Dr Fred Cegla)

Supervisor: Dr Fred Cegla

Improved spatial localisation of ultrasonic scan data on physical assets

The drive towards Industry4.0 and IoT enabled technology is leading to increased demand for digitalisation of NDE data and reporting. As operators become less involved in the process of data acquisition and on the spot analysis, the localisation and registration of measurement data is becoming increasingly important. In unstructured environments, standard robotic localisation techniques today have uncertainties in the order of 0.01m. This might be sufficient for single shot inspection assessments but is not good enough for trend estimation over time because subtraction of two spatially mismatched defects will result in large errors in the estimated change of defect size over time and hence trending errors.

This project aims to address this problem by researching different external and internal localisation referencing techniques to register data and efficient techniques to handle their temporal evolution. We will consider SLAM (simultaneous localisation and mapping) based on cameras for external features and inspection data (ultrasound will be used in the project) for the acquisition of internal data. The project will build on the results of the feasibility study on the “stitching  of ultrasonic phased array scan data” that was completed in 2021.

To be eligible for support, applicants must be “UK Residents” as defined by the EPSRC. Please check your suitability at the following here. The studentship is for 3.5 years starting in 2023 and will provide full coverage of standard tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend. Funding is through the Industrial Cooperative Award in Science & Technology (iCASE) scheme funded by the EPSRC and NDEvR Ltd (the legal entity representing the >10 industrial and ~8 university members of the UK Research Centre for NDE- RCNDE consortium). The students will be hosted at one of the industrial partner company locations for a minimum period of at least 3 months over 4 years and offered industrial mentorship during the project. The student will be part of a larger community of industry funded researchers in NDE at Imperial and the partner institutions.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a First-Class Honours or a high 2:1 degree at Master’s level (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, another branch of engineering, Materials, Physics, Chemistry or a related science. We expect you to have an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in developing experimental and/or modelling methods to investigate the effect of electric fields on engineering interfaces across the scales is essential. Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.

Non-Destructive Evaluation | Research groups | Imperial College London

For further details of the post contact Dr. Frederic Cegla [email protected]  +44 (0)20 75948096.  Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr. Cegla.  Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

PhD Studentship in Optimal Frictional Damping in Bladed Discs Under Rotating Conditions (Dr Christoph Schwingshackl)

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of clean, safe and competitive future aero engine development, leading to the award of a PhD degree.  The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate) provided by the EPSRC, with a generous bursary top-up from industrial funds. EPSRC candidates should fulfil the eligibility criteria for the award. 

The research will be conducted within the Vibration University Technology Centre (VUTC), sponsored by Rolls-Royce Plc to facilitate vibration related research. It involves the development and validation of novel nonlinear structural dynamic approaches to predict damping of aero engines components. Non-linear dampers are essential for aero-engine component safety, reliability and performance. Improved, validated non-linear contact prediction will allow the design of more robust, lighter weight components, improving Specific Fuel Consumption, Time on Wing and operational safety. As step changes in technologies and engine usage are made to meet Net Zero targets, the improved non-linear dynamic prediction capability will greatly  enhance modelling techniques de-risking technology developments.

Recent research in the VUTC has shown that the performance of frictional damping, and particularly Under Platform damping in bladed discs in aeroengines, is highly sensitive to the initial loading conditions, potentially limiting, or even negating the advantages of optimised damper designs. This research work will focus on the development of efficient techniques to improve non-linear contact modelling, to include the uncertainties into Under Platform Damper predictions, use these techniques to propose an optimised, more robust damper designs, and validate the new modelling methodology with the help of an existing rotating test bed. The work will be both numerical and experimental, and hence we are looking for a candidate with interest in both areas. The research will be conducted in close collaboration with Rolls-Royce Plc. and offers the opportunity to spend some time in the company for knowledge transfer.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st class honours degree in mechanical engineering or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in numerical and experimental nonlinear dynamic techniques is essential.  Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.

To find out more about this research opportunity go to:

https://youtu.be/MzDXr-Q1VKw

For further details of the post contact Dr C. Schwingshackl [email protected] .  Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Schwingshackl.  Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

PhD Studentship in Physics-guided Machine Learning for Nonlinear Structural Dynamics (Dr Ludovic Renson)

Supervisor: Ludovic Renson

Applications are invited for a research studentship in Machine Learning applied to Nonlinear Structural Dynamics , leading to the award of a PhD degree. The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate) provided by the EPSRC (CASE conversion). Candidates should fulfil the eligibility criteria for the award.

The constant drive to improve aircraft performance leads to lighter, more flexible structures where nonlinearity is increasingly present. Nonlinearity can arise, for instance, from material behaviours, large amplitude vibrations, buckling, or simply friction and free-play between components. Whether anticipated or discovered at the end of product design, nonlinearity often leads to untimely delays and additional development costs because nonlinear systems can exhibit a wide range of complicated dynamic behaviours that are very difficult to predict and potentially disastrous.

In this project, you will look at the development of physics-guided machine learning techniques to predict nonlinear structure responses. You will investigate how ML models can complement existing mechanistic models to improve their accuracy and achieve quantitative predictions. After numerical investigations, you will test the methodology on various structures in the group’s laboratory, ranging from fundamental academic examples to aero-engine components. Preserving the interpretability of the model throughout the modelling process will be essential to provide confidence in the model.

You will work in the Nonlinear Dynamics and Control Research Group led by Dr Ludovic Renson and in collaboration with other departments in the college. You will be part of the Rolls-Royce Vibration University Technology Centre and have the opportunity to interact directly with engineers at Rolls-Royce plc. You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st class honours degree in mechanical/aerospace engineering or a related subject, an enquiring and rigorous approach to research, and a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. A general interest in dynamics is essential. Good teamwork, observational and communication skills are essential.

For further details on the post contact Dr Ludovic Renson ( [email protected] ). Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Renson. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London for their qualifications to be addressed by the College Registry.

PhD Studentship in revolutionizing aero-engine testing: a novel experimental technique for friction monitoring (Dr Alfredo Fantetti)

Supervisor: Alfredo Fantetti

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of vibration and friction, leading to the award of a PhD degree. The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate of approximately £21,000 net per annum) provided by the Department of Mechanical Engineering under the EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership scheme, and it is open to home students only . 

The research will be conducted in the Tribology Group, one of the largest and most renowned tribology research groups in the world today, collaborating with the government, companies in Europe, USA and Far East, and many universities across the globe. Amongst others, the group focuses on the aviation sector, facing the urgent need to design lighter and more environmentally sustainable aero-engines to target Net Zero goals. Aero-engine manufacturers face the complex challenge of ensuring safety while reducing emissions, a task made daunting by the intricate vibrational behaviour of engine components. Predicting the engine dynamic behaviour is particularly complicated due to the millions of components in contact, whose understanding is limited by a lack of experimental friction data.

This PhD project aims to develop a new experimental technique, and related theory, to monitor friction contacts during vibration. The technique will be based on the use of metamaterials, emerging artificially-engineered structures with the exceptional capability to manipulate how waves propagate. This capability is leading a multi-billion-dollar technological revolution in several applications, including non-destructive evaluation, which will be exploited here to monitor friction. Friction monitoring based on metamaterials has never been proposed before and is an opportunity for a breakthrough in the fields of tribology and dynamics. By joining this project, you can make a tangible impact on the future of aviation, contributing to safer, cleaner, and more efficient air travel.

The work is supported by Rolls-Royce plc, whose senior specialists will provide guidance throughout the PhD. Through the company’s extensive global network, the student will establish contacts with industrial colleagues and leading academic groups particularly in the UK, Germany, and the US. The Imperial academic supervisors include Dr Fantetti (Tribology Group), Dr Hooper (Mechanics of Materials Group) and Dr Renson (Dynamics Group).

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You should hold or expect to obtain a 1st class honours or a high 2:1 degree at Master’s level (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, another branch of relevant engineering, Material, Physics, Chemistry or related science, and willing to start in October 2024 or shortly after .

This PhD is an exciting opportunity for those interested in experiments as well as simulations, ranging topics such structural dynamics, ultrasound and tribology.

To find out more about this research opportunity, watch this YouTube video:

https://youtu.be/EVbX5d7OqzM

For further details of the post contact Dr Alfredo Fantetti at [email protected] . Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Fantetti. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

PhD Studentship in Shear Band Modelling (Prof. Maria Charalambides)

Supervisor: Prof Maria Charalambides

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of Mechanics of Materials leading to the award of a PhD degree.

Shear bands are narrow regions of intense shear that can arise when a material is deformed. The localisation of the deformation causes the temperature in the shear band to rise and can trigger chemical reactions within the material. Current continuum solid mechanics codes struggle to resolve shear bands accurately. The aim of this PhD is to establish robust, mesh-independent methods for modelling shear bands in reactive materials, specifically polymer bonded explosives. This research could exploit recently-developed, ad-hoc shear band sub-models that account for reaction in the shear band. The aim is to integrate these sub-models or provide equivalent methods within a continuum mechanics code capable of modelling arbitrary configurations. The project will investigate the possibility of using AI and machine learning in shear band modelling, developing a deep insight in which microstructural features or parameters in the model cause the most chemical reaction.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st or 2:1 class honours degree in mechanical engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in Mechanics of Materials is essential.

This post is supported by a bursary and fees at the UK student rate provided by our research collaborators, AWE. As a result of the industrial funding, this studentship will attract a higher bursary than the usual EPSRC student rate. Open literature publication is encouraged, and funding is included for attending international scientific conferences. Due to the nature of the work undertaken by AWE, candidates should be a British Citizen or a citizen of a NATO country. The successful candidate will be encouraged to undergo security clearance to benefit from the possibility of spending some time embedded at AWE, gaining valuable experience of industrial research. For more information, see www.awe.co.uk

For further details of the post contact Prof Maria Charalambides m.charalambides @imperial.ac.uk  +44 (0)20 75947246. Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Prof Charalambides.  Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

PhD Studentship in Shell University Technology Centre (Dr Janet Wong)

Supervisor: Janet Wong

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of Fuels and Lubricants, leading to the award of a PhD degree. The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK/EU student rate only) and sponsored by Shell. The studentship is for three and a half years from June 2020.

Lubricants are used in engines to reduce friction, to improve machine efficiency and thus reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Fuel, however may mix with the lubricant during operation, affecting the effectiveness of the lubricant. The proposed research programme is a fundamental study of the influence of fuel on properties of lubricant, with in-situ measurements to be carried out in a modified engine, using various spectroscopic techniques. 

The project is sponsored by the Shell University Technology Centre (UTC) for Lubricants and Fuels based in the Mechanical Engineering Department, Imperial College London, and will take place in the Tribology Group and the Thermofluids Division in this Department.  Both the Tribology Group and the Thermofluids Division are world leaders in their respective fields of tribology, fluid flow, heat and mass transfer, and combustion. Together, they comprise of more than 90 PhD students as well as many post-doctoral researchers and academic staff. It offers a vibrant and multicultural working environment. Laboratories were recently refurbished and are well equipped with an extensive range of instrumentation and extensive computer facilities.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will be an experimentalist and will have a background in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics or a related field. You will have an enquiring and rigorous approach to research, together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in engines and basic understanding of their operation with good practical skills is desirable. Training will be given in tribology, thermofluids and the relevant investigative techniques. You will become a skilled communicator, comfortable in an international situation. Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.  The project will involve close collaboration with Shell and you will be expected to visit and communicate with various Shell centres around the world.

For further details of the post please contact Dr Sarah Matthews ( [email protected] ) or Dr Janet Wong ( [email protected] ). Interested applicants should email an up-to-date curriculum vitae. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form available on the Imperial College London website in order for their qualifications to be assessed by the College Registry.

PhD Studentship in smart interface and contact (Dr Min Yu)

Supervisors: Dr Min Yu

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of tribology, leading to the award of a PhD degree.  The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate) provided by the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London. 

Interfaces between moving surface, covering a vast range of practical applications in industrial and biomedical sectors, are critical in determining efficiency and durability. The research involves design and validation of a novel smart interface. A magnetic field is actively controlled to actuate the rheological / tribological behaviour of magnetorheological fluid between a sliding contact, a non-destructive ultrasonic reflection technique is employed to probe the fluid film thickness, the variation of which is taken into the feedback of the overall closed control loop. This smart interface has a potential in reducing friction and thus energy usage in mechanical transmissions, or enabling intelligent mechatronic systems (e.g., soft robots), where controllable interface friction and fluid film thickness are desired. Also, structural health monitoring can be additional benefit. This project will be mainly experiment oriented, and numerical / analytical modelling will be also promoted.

The PhD will be based in the Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) Group and the Tribology Group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London.  Both are leading research groups in the world, with extensive experimental and numerical research facilities and an international reputation for research excellence. It will be performed in collaboration with other research groups at Imperial College London and other universities.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st class honours degree in mechanical engineering or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in mechanical engineering, tribology, control, sensing, and signal processing is essential. Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential. The studentship will provide the opportunity to become a skilled communicator, comfortable in an international environment at a world-leading institution.

For further details of the post contact Dr Min Yu [email protected] +44 (0)20 7594 3840.  Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Min Yu. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

PhD Studentship in Soft Robotics (Dr Enrico Franco)

Supervisor: Enrico Franco

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of soft robotics, leading to the award of a PhD degree. The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate ) provided by the Mechanical Engineering Department, and it is open to both home and overseas students .

Many surgical procedures make use of three or more tools simultaneously, requiring surgeons to work with several assistants in a constrained space and in close contact with the patient. This practice is resource intensive and demands extensive training for the clinical team to become proficient. Soft robots have light and compliant structures that are ideally suited for interacting safely with people, and are relatively inexpensive compared to traditional rigid robots.

The research involves design, modelling, model-based and data-driven control of novel soft robotic manipulators that can be produced affordably in low-resource settings. This will enable realisation of new soft robotic assistants for multi-handed surgery that can stabilise surgical tools, that can capture human intent, and that can provide haptic feedback thus helping to reduce risks for patients and learning curve for clinicians.

The work will include both practical and theoretical aspects, such as design optimisation and manufacture of prototypes, investigation of proprioceptive sensing modalities, development and implementation of dynamic models and control algorithms, and experimental validation.

One of the key objectives of the work is a fully-functional prototype comprising two soft manipulators that will be used to investigate human-robot interactions in the operating theatre (e.g., by collaboratively handling surgical tools). There is also the possibility to conduct experiments in a new immersive virtual environment .

You will join our team in the Hamlyn Centre , which focusses on developing safe, effective and accessible technologies that can reshape the future of healthcare for both developing and developed countries As a member of our team, you will receive training in fabrication of soft robotic prototypes.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st class honours degree in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect, strong mathematical skills, and disciplined work habits. A strong interest in mechatronics, robotics, and control is essential. Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential. Prior experience in the area of soft robotics would be very beneficial.

For further details of the post contact Dr Enrico Franco   [email protected] Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Enrico Franco. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

PhD Studentship in solid-liquid interfaces (Dr Janet Wong)

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of solid-liquid interfaces leading to the award of a PhD degree.  To be eligible for support, applicants must be “UK Residents” as defined by the EPSRC.  The studentship is for 3.5 years starting as soon as possible and will provide full coverage of UK students standard tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of approximately £17,609. Please check your suitability at the following web site:

http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/Pages/eligibility.aspx

This project is part of a multidisciplinary project InFUSE whose goal is to study key material and fluid interfaces across a range of application areas with direct impact on the energy transition. Our aim is to create a step-change in the correlative characterisation of interfaces embedded in these systems under realistic environments.

Temperature (and the extraction of heat) plays a very important role in the performance of machines. For example, increased temperature may reduce the viscosity of lubricants, which impacts on friction or wear of machines. It may also lead to increased rate of undesirable reactions, such as corrosion and surface degradation. Overheating also reduces components lives. In the context of EV, increased temperature reduces battery efficiency and poses safety risk. All these applications point to the importance of characterising interfacial thermal conductance at a solid-liquid interface, which is extremely challenging.

In this experimental project, the PhD researcher will characterise the thermoconductance of solid-liquid interfaces in engineering fluids, including lubricants, coolants, and refrigerants. Specifically, the effects of additives, coatings and surface modifications will be investigated. To do so, the researcher will design a setup based on thermoreflectance measurements. Complementary techniques such as QCM, AFM, IR will also be employed. The potential of using thermoreflectance for acquiring film formation kinetics will also be explored.

This project will be based at Imperial College with significant interaction with the project partners, Thin Film Technology Laboratory, Diamond Light Source and Shell. The PhD researcher also will be a part of the Tribology Group. It offers a vibrant, multidisciplinary and multicultural working environment. Laboratories were recently refurbished and are well equipped with an extensive range of instrumentation and extensive computer facilities.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will hold, or be expected to achieve, a Master’s degree or a 4 year undergraduate degree at 2:1 level (or above) in a relevant subject, e.g. Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Materials, Chemistry, Physics or a related field. You will have an enquiring, rigorous and hands-on approach to research, together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in experimental work and development is essential, as are good team-working, observational and communication skills.

PhD Studentship in Thermal-hydraulics Experiments for Surrogate Model Validation with Uncertainty Quantification (Dr Antonis Sergis)

Thermal-hydraulics Experiments for Surrogate Model Validation with Uncertainty Quantification Incorporated into Digital Twin for Nuclear Systems

Supervisor: Antonis Sergis

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of Thermofluids and Nuclear leading to the award of a PhD degree. The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate), provided by UKAEA and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The Department’s entry requirements must be fulfilled for enrolment to this program.

You can check your eligibility and register interest by following this link https://imperial.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6KiVRAhitEJ30Tc

The focus of the project is the reliable linking of a well characterised experiment with simulation models including the development of the required simulation techniques to be applied in a broad range of fields. A candidate experiment that is going to be used for this purpose is a T-junction experiment, where flows of dissimilar thermal characteristics are mixed. Understanding the thermal behaviour, mixing and flow of dissimilar temperature fluids at a T-junction, is highly relevant for nuclear fusion applications, while also applicable to a wide range of non-fusion relevant cooling systems for high power density thermal applications. The research has mainly been based on numerical simulations, due to the difficulties with experimentation. Therefore, physical understanding of the process is missing and correlations for the effect of turbulence on thermal performance and the design consequences on container geometry are not very well understood. This is important for the improvement and evaluation of numerical models for such flows. The proposed study will deliver new understanding and scaling of T-junction flows by combining experimental and numerical efforts. It is expected that the proposed study will provide guidance for optimisation of plasma-facing component designs and control of cooling systems in near-term applications such as UKAEA Chimera but also future designs for e.g. STEP. The project falls under the topics of Thermal hydraulics and flow mixing of dissimilar temperature flows in T-junction geometries. The student would be based full time at Imperial College London with visits when needed to UKAEA sites and other collaborators.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 2.1 ot a 1st class honours degree in mechanical engineering or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in Thermofluids and the nuclear field is essential. Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.

For further details of the post contact Dr Antonis Sergis [email protected] +44 (0)20 7594 7041. Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Sergis. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

PhD Studentship in Thermofluids (Prof Aleiferis)

Supervisors:  Professor Pavlos Aleiferis

High Efficiency Concepts for Zero-Carbon Hydrogen/Ammonia Engines 

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of Thermofluids leading to the award of the PhD degree. The focus will be on developing and understanding new operation concepts for high-efficiency green engines running on zero-carbon fuels like hydrogen and ammonia, using advanced experimental techniques. The post is supported by full bursary and tuition fees at the UK research student rate for ‘Home or Ireland’ students:

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/students/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/postgraduate-tuition-fees/2021-22/postgraduate-research-programmes/faculty-of-engineering/

Please do not make enquiries or apply formally unless you meet the tuition fees criteria.

Project Description This project will investigate the fundamentals of fluid dynamics, mixture formation and ignition in internal combustion engines running on hydrogen and ammonia fuels using advanced optical diagnostic experimental techniques. Key areas of study will include direct fuel injection and air mixing in a fully optical engine with flexible valvetrain and boosting systems, to investigate advanced ignition and combustion modes aiming for a zero-carbon zero-emission engine. The research methods will give a full picture of in-cylinder effects related to various engine operating regimes.

The Thermofluids Division at Imperial has an internationally leading record in fundamental and applied research into multiphase and reacting flows, established over several decades. You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the Academic requirements for enrolment on the PhD degree at Imperial. You are expected to have a 1st or upper 2nd class honours degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research, together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. A keen interest in experimentation and future high-efficiency zero-carbon engine systems is important. Excellent observational, practical and communication skills are all essential for this post.

To find out more about the Mechanical Engineering Department at Imperial College London, go to:

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering

For further details of the post and informal enquiries you may contact Prof. Pavlos Aleiferis:

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/p.aleiferis

Suitable candidates will be asked to complete an electronic PhD application form:

The starting date will be fixed in discussion with the successful candidate, preferably by the first quarter of 2022.

PhD Studentship in Transformative Metal Welding Technique (Dr Jun Jiang)

Supervisor: Dr Jun Jiang

Deadline for applying: until post filled

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of advanced welding technologies, leading to the award of a PhD degree. The position is supported by various industry stakeholders, including Commonwealth Fusion Systems, UKAEA, Alfa Laval, SMT, and British Gear Associate, emphasising its significant industrial relevance and potential.

Dr. Jiang's group at Imperial College has pioneered a groundbreaking solid-welding technology that seamlessly integrates cold-welding with diffusion welding, all in open-air conditions. This innovative method has demonstrated exceptional results, such as maintaining base metal properties with minimal deformation. Its advantages encompass high joint strength, precision, cost-effectiveness, scalability, and much more, earning its 1st place in the Fusion Manufacturing Challenges 2023 at TechConnect, Washington.

The prime focus of this PhD will be to develop and optimise this revolutionary welding technique for manufacturing industry-representative nuclear fusion components (like tungsten-316L or vanadium) or creating bimetallic Al-Fe lightweight gears for transmission systems. With access to the state-of-the-art Gleeble 3800 testing facility, the candidate will delve deep into understanding the intricacies of welding mechanisms. This will encompass studies on oxide evolution, grain boundary migration, and voids closure. Using cutting-edge in-situ thermal micromechanical testing and characterisation units, the student will explore the microstructure evolution at the solid welding joints. Furthermore, the project will also encompass developing physically based constitutive equations to numerically portray these bonding mechanisms, facilitating the simulation and optimisation of the welding process.

Ideal candidates should be passionate, self-motivated, and meet the academic prerequisites for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. Possession of a 1st class honours degree in Mechanical/Material Engineering, or a related field is essential. The student should demonstrate robust project and communication skills and should possess a keen interest in advanced manufacturing, welding, and materials science.

To understand more about research at Imperial College London in this sphere, visit:

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/research/  

For application guidance, please refer to:

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/study/phd/how-to-apply/  

For any further details about this position, please contact Dr. Jun Jiang at [email protected]. Prospective applicants should forward an updated CV to Dr Jiang. Suitable candidates will need to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London, ensuring their credentials are assessed by the College Registry.

Closing date: until post filled

PhD Studentship in Tribology (Dr Amir Kadiric)

Supervisors: Dr Amir Kadiric and Professor Hugh Spikes

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of Tribology, leading to the award of a PhD degree. This is an industrially supported studentship for a period of 3.5 years, with all project costs and a bursary of ca. £25,000 per annum covered by one of our industrial partners.

Liquid lubricants are crucial components in almost all machines, where they prevent wear, seizure and other forms of surface damage and also, by reducing friction, make an essential contribution to improving energy efficiency and thus sustainability.

Lubricants generally operate in an air environment where their useful life is largely determined by the rate at which they oxidatively degrade.  Excessive degradation leads to an unacceptable increase in viscosity, deposit formation and corrosive wear.  Lubricant degradation is critically dependent on temperature, so when lubricants are designed their susceptibility to oxidation is measured using high temperature bench oxidation tests. However, it has recently become evident that lubricants can degrade considerably faster in machines than they do at similar temperatures in bench tests. The reasons for this are not yet clear but may result from rupture of lubricant molecules in rubbing contacts (mechanochemistry) and/or catalytic metal wear debris. 

This project will compare lubricant degradation in bench tests (autooxidation) with that in operating machine components (tribo-oxidation). It will use advanced test rigs and lubricant and surface analytical methods available at Imperial College and study degradation both in-situ in test rigs and ex-situ.  The aim is to understand the underlying mechanisms of tribo-oxidation and how these differ from autooxidation. The ultimate goal is to develop improved lubricant life predictions and longer-lasting lubricants.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a degree in Chemistry, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. Good team-working, observational, written and oral communication skills are essential. You will be required to communicate with the industrial partners, will have the opportunity to attend multiple international conferences in Europe, US and Japan during your PhD and publish your work in major scientific journals.

For further details of the post contact Dr Amir Kadiric [email protected] . Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Kadiric. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

PhD Studentship in Tribology: Fundamental understanding of water-based lubricants for hydraulic and EV applications - iCASE Shell (Prof Daniele Dini)

Supervisor: Daniele Dini

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of “ Fundamental understanding of water-based lubricants for hydraulic and EV applications ”, leading to the award of a PhD degree. The studentship will be based in the Shell-Imperial University Technology Centre (UTC) for Mobility and Lubricants, which is hosted by the Tribology Group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London. It will be supervised by members of academic staff in the Group including Prof. Daniele Dini, Dr Janet Wong and Prof. Hugh Spikes. The studentship is for 4 years starting in October 2024 and will provide full coverage of standard tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of approximately £24,000. This studentship is funded by an EPSRC Industrial Cooperative Awards in Science & Technology (CASE) and industrial partner Shell.  The student will be expected to study at a Shell location for a minimum period of at least 3 months during the studentship and will be offered industrial mentoring throughout the project. At Imperial, the student will be a member of a larger community of Shell-funded researchers in the Tribology Group who are working on lubricants and electric vehicle-related projects, which cover both experimental and modelling techniques across the scales. The Tribology Group at Imperial College is a vibrant, world-leading research group with unparalleled experimental and modelling equipment facilities.

The project is concerned with the development of novel water-based lubricants for EVs and environmentally-friendly hydraulics. The aim of this project is to improve our understanding of and ability to design aqueous lubricants based on polymer solutions in water. Although most liquid lubricants are based on organic hydrocarbons and esters, for many years a few have been based on water.  To date these have been used primarily as mining hydraulic fluids (because of their fire resistance) and in metal cutting (due to their superior cooling properties).  However, there is now growing interest in using water-based lubricants in a much wider range of applications, including electric vehicle (EV) transmissions, industrial oils and hydraulics. Their excellent cooling properties are important for EVs, but the main desirable features in other applications are their biodegradability and general green credentials.

The main objectives of this project are to study the fundamental aspects that govern the performance of water-based polymer solutions as lubricants. This will be pursued by looking at novel sustainable formulations of polymers to be used to form separating films with characteristics similar to those achieved with the best performing conventional lubricants.  We will be adopting our modern experimental techniques, which include very high shear rate viscometry, film thickness measurement rigs and conventional rolling-sliding tribometers as well as in-contact fluorescence to explore the in-contact composition of lubricant films and local viscosity and rheological description of the fluids under consideration.  This will be coupled with the use of in-house models that can be employed to explore and predict the behaviour of newly developed fluids in different components and applications of interest to Shell.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You should hold or expect to obtain a First-Class Honours or a high 2:1 degree at Master’s level (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, another branch of relevant engineering, Materials, Physics, Chemistry or a related science. We expect you to have an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in developing new experimental and/or modelling techniques for the discovery of new engineering solutions for the energy transition is essential, as are good team-working, observational and communication skills.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/tribology/shell-utc/

For further details of the post contact Prof. Daniele Dini, [email protected] or Dr Janet Wong, [email protected] .  Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to them.  Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

PhD Studentship in Tribology: Metal Forming: Next Generation Patterned Steel Floors for Best in Class Slip Resistance Performance(Prof Daniele Dini)

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of “ Next Generation Patterned Steel Floors for Best in Class Slip Resistance Performance ”, leading to the award of a PhD degree. The studentship will be based in the Tribology and the Metal Forming and Materials Modelling groups in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London. It will be supervised by Prof. Daniele Dini and Professor Jianguo Lin as well as an industrial expert, Dr Bin Xiao from Tata Steel. The studentship is for 4 years starting in October 2024 and will provide full coverage of standard tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of approximately £24,000. This studentship is funded by an EPSRC Industrial Cooperative Awards in Science & Technology (CASE) and industrial partner Tata Steel UK.  The Tribology and the Metal Forming and Materials Modelling groups are vibrant, world-leading research groups with unparalleled experimental and modelling equipment facilities.

It is well known that slips and trips are the most common cause of injuries at work and therefore subject to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consideration. Tata Steel UK is a product leader in the UK market for patterned steel floor plates. The dense pattern of studs on as rolled steel floor plates can provide outstanding slip resistance in both dry and wet conditions at all angles and allows plates/thick strips to be used in any direction. They are typically used in stairways (good bendability), walkways, lifts, platforms and bridges, and offering superior slip resistance. However, the fundamental mechanisms and important factors (stud geometry, roughness, conformance to shoe sole standards,…etc.) determining slip resistance under different conditions are not well understood; lack of fundamental knowledge hinders the development of new disruptive solutions in this space.

The main objectives of this project are to determine and rank important parameters controlling slip resistance of floorplate, as well as generate novel pattern designs with enhanced slip resistance performance. This will be achieved by combining fundamental understanding of tribological interactions and innovative surfaces and materials design and processes. The main outcome of this research programme will be the development of tools and methods for the selection of new geometrical patterns that could be considered for the next generation of patterned steel floor plates. This technology will also be applied to other Tata Steel UK products that require enhance slip &/or wear resistance performance. We will target the development of new geometrical patterns for products for specific applications through the development of advanced physics- and data-driven models, as well as laboratory tests and current industrial standards for validation. This will lead to new design tools and standard of broad applicability.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You should hold or expect to obtain a First-Class Honours or a high 2:1 degree at Master’s level (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, another branch of relevant engineering, Materials, Physics, Chemistry or a related science. We expect you to have an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in developing modelling and simulation methods and the application of machine learning techniques for the discovery of new engineering solutions is essential, as are good team-working, observational and communication skills.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/metal-forming/

For further details of the post contact Prof. Daniele Dini, [email protected] or +44 (0)20 75947242.  Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Prof. Dini.  Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) studentship – “Second life: understanding deterioration of recycled plastics (Prof. Maria Charalambides)

Supervisor:  Prof Maria Charalambides

Imperial College London and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) are pleased to announce the availability of a fully funded Collaborative Doctoral Studentship from October 2024 under the AHRC’s   Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships (CDP) scheme .

Applications are invited for this research studentship in the field of Mechanics of Materials and Conservation of Art, leading to the award of a PhD degree.

This project will be jointly supervised by Prof Maria Charalambides at Imperial and Dr Valentina Risdonne at the V&A. The student will be expected to spend time at both Imperial and V&A, as well as becoming part of the wider cohort of CDP funded students at both the V&A, and across the UK. The CDP consortium organise an extensive range of professional and skills development activities designed to enhance CDP researcher’s PhD experience and future employability.

Students should have a master’s degree in a relevant subject or can demonstrate equivalent experience in a professional setting.

This project will focus on understanding the deterioration of recycled plastics in museums, with the purpose of defining a long-term mitigation strategy. Recycled plastic materials started to be used more extensively in the past two decades; with drives to increase global sustainability across design, more of these objects will enter the V&A collection. As the planet’s climate changes and the V&A creates lighter and brighter gallery spaces, there is an urgent need to evaluate the risks to objects containing recycled plastics and establish measures toward their preservation. We will employ experimental and computational mechanics methods to investigate chemical and mechanical degradation in these materials and the potential interaction between these. Experimental studies will determine the physical and mechanical properties of the plastics as a function of ageing. These properties will be used as input to novel computational models, to derive predictions of the plastics’ lifetime under various environments.

Research objectives include:

• Establish the make-up of recycled plastics mostly found in museum collections to determine the materials that will be the focus of the study.
• Establish methods for making mock-up samples out of the identified materials.
• Survey gallery conditions in order to set up suitable ageing conditions.
• Perform accelerated ageing tests using mock – ups and determine degradation in mechanical, thermophysical or optical properties. Correlate with plasticisation, embrittlement, cracking and colour, gloss or texture changes.
• Develop computational modelling tools for predicting environmental ageing and the associated degradation of the polymers.

Research with V&A

This research studentship is one allocated to V&A by the AHRC to support the collaboration between conservation specialists at the V&A and the research of Prof Charalambides’s team. The successful student will be expected to spend time carrying out research and gaining relevant experience at the V&A as part of the studentship.

CDP doctoral training grants fund full-time studentships for 48 months or part time equivalent. The award pays full maintenance for all students, both home and international students. The National Minimum Doctoral Stipend for 2024/2025 is £19,237 plus London Weighting of £2000/year. There is also a CDP maintenance payment of £600 per year. CDP students will have access to training and development opportunities throughout their PhD, supported and facilitated by the CDP Consortium, Imperial College London, and the V&A. CDP students are expected to undertake a work placement or development opportunity for a minimum of a 3-month period (or part-time equivalent).

Further guidance can be found on the UKRI website .

• Applicants should ideally have or expect to receive a relevant Masters-level qualification in a relevant subject Mechanical Engineering, Conservation Science or a related subject, or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience in a professional setting.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate an interest in the art conservation sector or mechanical engineering as well as potential and enthusiasm for developing skills more widely in related areas.
• As a collaborative award, students will be expected to spend time at both the University and the V&A. All applicants must meet UKRI terms and conditions for funding .

For further details of the post contact Prof Maria Charalambides m.charalambides @imperial.ac.uk or Dr Valentina Risdonne [email protected] . Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Prof Charalambides. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

Reasonable Adjustments and Support for Applicants

Support or adjustments may include (but are not limited to):

• Opportunity to speak with project supervisors about the project and the process.
• Opportunity to speak regarding institutional support systems (e.g. neurodiversity, racial diversity and LGBTQIA+ networks, mental health support, support for carers).
•  An insight into the interview process (e.g. selection criteria used).
• Opportunity to visit the relevant building and room prior to interview, as well as on-site guidance (demonstrating accessible routes and/or familiarity with building layouts for example)
• Opportunity to speak with active CDP students to ask questions regarding student experience as part of the CDP scheme.

The V&A has made a commitment to the principle of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) for all and strives to go beyond public duty placed upon us by the Equality Act 2010. We believe that all our employees, volunteers and contracted suppliers should find the V&A to be a supportive and nurturing environment free from bullying, harassment, discrimination or victimisation, and we hope that we can support this to be the case through our proactive EDI work. Full details of our EDI intentions can be found in our Corporate EDI Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2025 .

PhD Studentship on Thermoacoustic instability in hydrogen-rich combustors (Prof Aimee Morgans)

Supervisor: Aimee Morgans

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of fluid dynamics, leading to the award of a PhD degree.  The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate) provided by the EPSRC through an iCASE studentship with Siemens Energy. Candidates must demonstrate relevant connection with the UK, usually established by residence, as is standard for EPSRC funding. 

Thermoacoustic instability is caused by a two-way coupling between acoustics waves and unsteady combustion. It can occur in the combustors of gas turbines and leads to damaging high amplitude oscillations. The need to decarbonize energy generation is driving the transition to hydrogen as a fuel. However, hydrogen enrichment increases propensity to thermoacoustic instability. In order to design-out thermoacoustic instability, accurate and efficient methods for its computational prediction are needed. Multi-scale computations, which couple different treatments for the acoustic waves and the flame, are particularly efficient. The acoustic waves are captured using linear, wave-based models, while the flame unsteadiness is obtained using computational fluid dynamics in the form of large eddy simulations (LES). These coupled approaches have been applied with success to predict thermoacoustic instability in real combustors, but not as yet for hydrogen-rich combustors.

This PhD will work towards this in two key ways. Firstly, to deal with hydrogen’s vastly different properties – its fast flame speed, low density, high diffusivity etc - compared to traditional fuels, the best flame simulation tools for thermoacoustic predictions will be investigated. Secondly, for the largest, most efficient gas turbines, combustion occurs in separate but linked “cans”. New acoustic models will be developed for multiple cans interacting at their downstream end.

The project will combine mathematical modelling and flow simulations for hydrogen combustion, the latter using the OpenFOAM CFD package. Machine learning will be used to model the effect of hydrogen enrichment on the flame. The project will work towards fully computational prediction of thermoacoustic instability in an experimental hydrogen-rich lab combustor (at a collaborator’s lab) which can operate in single-can, two-can and three-can modes.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st class honours degree in mechanical engineering or related subject and demonstrate excellent project-work and communication skills. You will be interested in fluid dynamics, acoustics and computational fluid dynamics. You will join a supportive and inclusive research group and benefit from co-supervision with the Siemens Energy partner.

For further details of the post contact Prof Aimee Morgans, [email protected] . Interested and eligible applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Prof Morgans.  Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

Ongoing opportunities

Research groups.

The following research groups have flexible funding, which may enable them to provide funding for outstanding PhD students at any time. Please visit the group websites for more information and to get in touch with a member of the group:

• Non-Destructive Evaluation Group
• Metal Forming and Materials Modelling Group

Centres for Doctoral Training

You may wish to explore the opportunities offered by the following Centres for Doctoral Training:

• CDT in Fluid Dynamics across Scales 
• CDT in Nuclear Energy  
• CDT in Theory and Simulation of Materials  
• CDT in Quantitative Non-destructive Evaluation

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The College of Engineering offers a dual-degree program that culminates with students receiving a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering concurrently. The program is intended for exceptional students who are admitted to the graduate program in their junior year. Students applying for this program must have a grade point average of at least 3.0. The two degrees are awarded simultaneously when the combined requirements have been met for both degrees.

• Juniors who have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA have the option to apply for admission to the 5-year BS ME-MS IE program.
• Those who are accepted into this accelerated program must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and a minimum of a 3.0 GPA for the final 30 credit hours.
• Up to 6 credit hours of Technical electives earned during the fourth year can be counted toward the 30 credit hours required for the MS degree. 
• Students must be registered for a minimum of 12 undergraduate credit hours per semester in their fourth year.
• Students can register for a maximum of 6 graduate credit hours in each semester of their fourth year.
• If a student needs to withdraw from the BS ME/MS IE program then all the requirements for the specific BS Concentration must be completed for graduation with the BS degree.

Admission Requirements

Juniors in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department of the University of Miami who have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA may apply to the dual degree program.  Qualified students are strongly advised to apply to the dual degree program as early as possible in their junior year to facilitate academic advising and course selection in the second semester of their junior year.  Students opting for an M.S. degree in a discipline different from their B.S. degree may need to take some prerequisite coursework. Before submitting an application, students should discuss the program and possibility of entering with an academic adviser.  

Curriculum Requirements

Plan of study.

You must complete a minimum of 1 PS cognate and 1 HA cognate to be selected from the list of available cognates. Each cognate should be a minimum of three courses (9 credit hours).

Technical Electives are advanced courses in mathematics, science or engineering, approved by the Faculty Advisor, as appropriate for individual objectives.

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