Applications are invited for a PhD position at the University of Nottingham addressing the specific engineering details of the contact layer created during the Linear Friction Welding (LFW) of Titanium alloys. The successful candidate will have a first-class or upper second-class honours degree in mechanical engineering or a related subject.

This CASE studentship will attract a stipend of £25,000 per annum for four years. The position arises from a long-standing engineering research relationship between the University of Nottingham and Rolls-Royce plc. The University of Nottingham hosts two of the (~30) University Technology Centres (UTCs) used by the company as the main engines of its engineering research and development. Nottingham’s UTC in gas turbine transmissions systems will host this studentship and the candidate will sit within a community of ~20 PhD students at various stages of their study.

The attachment of blades to discs using solid-state joining is a key factor in achieving cost-effective, high performance and low-weight fan and compressor stages in aero-engines. LFW is an established joining process utilised by R-R to manufacture Titanium blisks across a range of engine types. R-Rs strategy requires the continued exploitation of this technology to a wider range of Titanium alloys, including dissimilar joints.   The LFW process has been developed to ensure high quality joints are produced over a broad range of welding conditions commensurate with manufacturing capability; however, the quality of joints made in more advanced Titanium alloys and dissimilar material joints is ensured by consistent flash extrusion and flow from the interface contact layer, which is in turn linked to the transient behaviour of the process, process stability and the interaction between the part and the tooling.

This project will develop the fundamental understanding of the thermo-mechanical effects and material flow within the high strain-rate/high temperature interface contact layer created during LFW of Titanium alloys and the links to key process variables and machine/tooling behaviour.  This study will be undertaken using computational simulation, supported by experimental investigations using test welds and novel material characterisation methods.

This project is available from 1st October 2026. Applications are accepted until post is filled.   Informal inquiries can be made via email to Dr James Rouse (james.rouse@nottingham.ac.uk).

Eligibility: Due to funding restrictions this position is only available to UK or EU candidates.

Closing Date: 21 Sep 2026
Category: Studentships

Through a multidisciplinary research approach the aim is to establish fully integrated motor drives as a key enabling technology for sustainable electricity generation, high-efficiency industrial systems, lightweight transport applications, and significant reductions in manufacturing-related CO₂ emissions. The ambition is to develop innovative technological solutions that reduce energy losses and minimise environmental impact throughout the product life cycle by:

• Reducing material usage during manufacture.
• Improving electrical system efficiency and power-to-weight ratios during operation.
• Enhancing recyclability and resource recovery at end of life.

Two PhD studentships are available to address one or more of the following scientific challenges:

1. Mechanical Integration

Structural and functional integration requires the development of novel joining technologies, motor winding arrangements, and 3D-printed structures capable of mounting semiconductor devices within the motor architecture.

2. Thermal Management

The harsh thermal environment within integrated motor drives demands innovative design and manufacturing solutions. Advanced additive manufacturing techniques will be explored to improve thermal management across the entire system.

3. Electromagnetic Management

The use of wide-bandgap semiconductor devices can significantly reduce the size of passive components within power electronic converters. However, their high switching speeds can introduce challenges related to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and motor winding degradation. Novel converter topologies, EMI mitigation strategies, and advanced winding technologies will therefore be investigated.

4. Advanced Control and Modelling

Multi-modular distributed motor-drive architectures and ultra-fast semiconductor devices present significant control challenges. Research may involve FPGA-based control platforms, advanced microcontrollers, distributed control algorithms, and artificial intelligence techniques, including neural networks and evolutionary optimisation methods, to enable the efficient operation of integrated converter-motor systems.

Research environment

Applications are invited to join the Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Group at the University of Nottingham. Based within a recently established £18 million research facility on Jubilee Campus, PEMC is internationally recognised as a leading centre for research in power electronics, electrical machines, and control engineering.

Entry requirements

Applicants should possess:

• A Bachelor degree (2:1 or above) or a Master's degree (MSc, MEng, MPhys, MRes, or equivalent) in a relevant engineering or physical sciences discipline such as electrical and electronic engineering, mechatronics, physics, materials science, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related subject.
• A strong background or relevant experience in electrical machines, power electronics, control systems, thermal management, or related fields (desirable).
• Experience using simulation software such as COMSOL Multiphysics, MATLAB, and/or Ansys.
• Programming, coding, and experimental hardware skills (desirable).
• Strong analytical and mathematical capabilities.
• A passion for research and a willingness to learn.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and scientific writing skills.

Application process

To apply, please email the following documents to liliana.delillo@nottingham.ac.uk:

• A cover letter outlining your motivation for applying to this project.
• A curriculum vitae (CV) detailing your academic background, research experience, and relevant technical skills.
• Academic transcripts from all qualifying degree programmes.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview. The successful applicant must subsequently complete a formal online application through the University of Nottingham admissions portal.

Eligibility

Due to funding restrictions, this studentship is available only to UK applicants.

Closing Date: 30 Nov 2026
Category: Studentships

Background: The transition towards electrified automotive and aerospace transport demands electric motors with increasing power density, efficiency and operating voltage without compromising reliability. These trends, together with wide-bandgap converters and fast-switching voltage waveforms, impose increasingly severe electrical stresses on winding insulation. The challenge is particularly critical in aerospace applications, where reduced air pressure can significantly increase the risk of partial discharge (PD) and accelerate insulation degradation. This PhD studentship will investigate and enhance the reliability of next-generation winding insulation systems, including emerging hairpin and Litz-wire technologies, under representative electrical, thermal, pressure and mechanical stresses. The successful candidate will combine extensive experimental testing with insulation lifetime modelling to study PD inception, degradation and endurance, and to develop approaches for predicting insulation lifetime under realistic operating conditions. The research will support improved insulation design and qualification for reliable next-generation electric motors, contributing to safer, higher-performance automotive and aerospace electrification. 

Applications for this PhD position are invited at the Power Electronics and Machines Centre, University of Nottingham. Based in a recently built £18M facility at Jubilee Campus, the Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Group is globally renowned and one of the leading in its field. 

Entry Requirements: For this position, we are actively looking for candidates with 

• A master’s degree (e.g. MSc, MEng, MPhys, MRes or equivalent) in a relevant engineering or physical sciences discipline, such as electrical/electronic engineering, general engineering, mechatronics, physics, materials science/engineering, mechanical/aerospace engineering, or a closely related subject, is essential.
• A strong background or relevant experience in high-voltage engineering, electrical machines, power electronics, dielectric/insulation materials, or related areas would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of numerical/FEM simulation tools such as COMSOL Multiphysics and MATLAB.
• Programming/coding and experimental hardware skills are desirable.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills.
• Passion for research and willingness to learn.
• Good presentation, communication and scientific writing skills.

Application details: To apply for this PhD position, please email the following documents to Hadi.Naderiallaf@nottingham.ac.uk 

• Cover letter outlining your motivation behind applying for this project. 
• Curriculum vitae (CV) detailing your academic background, research experience, and relevant skills.
• Academic transcripts of your qualifying degrees.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, and the successful candidate will be required to make a formal online application through the University portal.

Eligibility: Due to funding restrictions this position is only available to UK candidates.

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr. Hadi Naderiallaf (Hadi.Naderiallaf@nottingham.ac.uk) We look forward to hearing from you. 

Closing Date: 01 Dec 2026
Category: Studentships

Supervisor: Dr Hannah Cooper (UoN)

Secondary Supervisor: Dr Nicholas Girkin (UoN), Dr Georgina Barratt (BBRO)

Subject Area: Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Resilience

Research Title: Nutrient Dynamics in Cover Crops and Their Implications for Sugar Beet Nutrition, Soil Health, and Climate Resilience

Research Description

The Opportunity

The UK sugar beet industry spends £12–18 million annually on nitrogen fertiliser alone, yet in some instances it has been shown that cover crops can provide 30–60 kg N/ha to the following sugar beet crop. Cover crops are often used ahead of sugar beet, but a lack of evidence about the nitrogen they provide and the factors that affect it means very few growers adapt their nitrogen application rates after using a cover crop, potentially missing out on savings of £30-70 ha. Some species immobilise nitrogen and suppress beet growth; others create a "green bridge" for virus-carrying aphids during the critical establishment period. This PhD will deliver the first evidence-based framework for integrating cover crops profitably into UK sugar beet rotations, with the potential to unlock £3–7 million per year in industry-wide fertiliser savings. Funded jointly by BBRO, the Morley Agricultural Foundation, and the Lugden Hill Trust, this is an applied, industry-facing project: you will work closely with BBRO and the grower community throughout, ensuring research questions are grounded in real farming challenges and that outputs reach the people who need them.

What You Will Do

Working across agronomy, soil science, and microbial ecology, you will:

• Run controlled decomposition experiments to quantify N, P, and K release from key cover crop species (cereals, brassicas, legumes, and mixtures) under UK conditions.
• Establish multi-year field trials on contrasting soils at commercial BBRO sites and the University of Nottingham farm, measuring beet yield, sugar content, and pest/disease incidence.
• Analyse soil microbial communities (PLFA, 16S/ITS sequencing) to understand how residues drive nutrient cycling and soil health.
• Parameterise predictive models and translate outputs into practical grower tools, including a fertiliser credit calculator and species selection guide.

Training

You will be based at the University of Nottingham's Sutton Bonington Campus, with access to world-class facilities including the Hounsfield X-ray CT Facility for root architecture studies and advanced soil and plant analytical capabilities. You will receive expert supervision at the interface of agronomy, soil science, and sugar beet production, with hands-on industry experience through BBRO field trials, open days, and grower engagement events. The project will train a researcher with specialist skills in nutrient cycling, microbial community profiling, and crop modelling, a combination in high demand across UK agricultural research and advisory sectors.

Keyword Search: Cover crops, sugar beet, nutrient cycling, climate resilience, soil health, agronomy

Award Start Date: 01/02/2027

Duration of Award: 48 months

Terms and Conditions

This research studentship is only available to UK citizens and includes payment of tuition fees and a tax-free stipend based on current BBSRC rates.

Applicant Qualification Requirements

A 2:1 or higher in environmental science / agriculture / plant science or related degree. Modelling experience is a bonus but not essential.

How to Apply

Please email a one page cover letter and a CV to hannah.cooper@nottingham.ac.uk

Closing Date: 30/09/2026

Closing Date: 30 Sep 2026
Category: Studentships

Programme Length: Four years 

Contract Type: Full-time 

Prospective Start Date: October 2026

The positions are filled in a first-in, first-served basis therefore we encourage early expression of interest. 

Net²Zero Centre for Doctoral Training 

The EPSRC and BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Negative Emission Technologies for Net Zero (CDT in Net²Zero) is an equal partnership between Aston University (lead), University of Nottingham, Queen’s University Belfast, and University of Warwick. Through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration, this CDT aims to tackle global challenges related to climate change and sustainability.  

Our four-year doctoral programme is training the next generation of research leaders tasked to remove greenhouse gases from the environment.  The CDT in Net²Zero focuses on the use of biomass to replace fossil fuels and removal (or capture) of CO₂ from the atmosphere, with the potential to create new sources of fuels and chemicals. The centre’s expertise covers Direct Air Capture and CO₂ Storage (DACCS), CO₂ utilisation, biochar synthesis and utilisation, biomass transition to materials and chemicals, and biomass to energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) etc. 

Training and Development

Through our research training programme, you will be able to: 

• Develop a network with doctoral researchers, academia, government and industry. 
• Access to cutting-edge facilities and opportunities for international collaboration, preparing you for a successful career in academia, industry, or policymaking. 
• Carry out a training programme covering practical engineering, communication, entrepreneurship, and business skills to prepare students for diverse sectors. 
• The CDT facilitates direct contact between students, industrial partners, policy makers, and third sector organisations to support future careers. You will have the opportunity of a three-month placement with industry, research collaborators or policymakers. 

Project Overview and Background

As global energy demand rises, reducing carbon emissions has become increasingly challenging. Gas‑turbine‑based power generation continues to play a central role in electricity supply, yet it is also a major source of CO₂ emissions and contributes to grid instability as renewable penetration increases. Achieving national net zero targets require integrated solutions that simultaneously decarbonise existing infrastructure, enhance grid flexibility and enable the production of sustainable energy carriers.

Hybrid energy systems offer a promising pathway, but current designs face important limitations. Many studies depend heavily on electricity‑intensive Power‑to‑X routes while underutilising thermochemical biomass conversion and advanced solar‑thermal technologies. Emerging carbon‑capture approaches such as electrochemically mediated amine regeneration show strong potential for flexible, low‑temperature operation, yet they remain largely unexplored within fully integrated hybrid systems. Additionally, current techno-economic feasibility studies rely on steady‑state modelling and overlook the dynamic behaviour under variable grid and weather conditions. These gaps restrict the deployment of high‑efficiency, multi‑source energy platforms capable of adaptive and resilient performance.

This PhD project aims to develop and evaluate a novel hybrid system that integrates gas turbines, low-temperature carbon capture, biomass gasification, and advanced solar thermal applications to enable carbon-negative fuel production and grid support. The research will involve thermodynamic modelling, transient simulation under UK climate and grid demand profiles, economic assessment, life‑cycle analysis, and AI‑driven multi‑objective optimisation. Although the initial focus will be on gas turbines, the hybridisation framework developed in the project will be designed to be transferable to other industrial and power‑generation applications, including industrial furnaces (e.g. steel, cement) and waste‑to‑energy plants. The overarching objective is to design intelligent control strategies that coordinate energy flows across the hybrid system, maximise CO₂ utilisation, and demonstrate the technical and economic viability of a closed‑loop carbon platform suitable for large‑scale deployment.

Person Specification

•   Motivation, creativity, and resourcefulness
•  A mature approach to learning
•  Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve:
  1.  A Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline with an award of First Class or 2.1 
•  Experience in, or willingness to learn modelling and simulation tools such as:
  1.  MATLAB
  2.  Python
  3.  Engineering Equation Solver
  4.  Aspen Plus
  5.  TRNSYS
•  A solid foundation in thermodynamics, process modelling, programming or energy systems

Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential, as the successful candidate will collaborate closely with other researchers, contribute to high‑quality journal publications, and present findings at international conferences. We welcome applicants who are enthusiastic about interdisciplinary research and eager to develop advanced technical and analytical capabilities.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of the Net²Zero CDT and we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in a higher education setting.  These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ people, and women.

Financial Support

• Four-year studentships with a tax-free stipend at UKRI rate (£21,805 per year for 2026/27) 
• Paid tuition fees
• A generous research training support grant. 

Overseas Applicants 

This opportunity is currently open for home fee status candidates only. You can find the rules for home fee eligibility here.

How to Apply 

All applicants should first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form here (you only need to submit one Expression of Interest regardless of the number of projects you are interested in). Successful applicants will be invited to submit a formal application via the NottinghamHub. 

When submitting an EOI form, please include the following information: 

1. Your personal details for processing the application.  
2. A copy of your passport and, where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status. 
3. Your personal characteristics, for monitoring purposes only. 
4. Your Academic background.  We will require English language copies (or screen captures) of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any bachelor's degrees. 
5. If English is not your first language, you will be required to present evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. You can submit the evidence at a later stage. the evidence at a later stage. 
6. Your research background and experience.  
7. Expressions of Interest will be assessed against the following criteria:

       A. Candidate’s motivation and experience: The extent to which the candidate’s expertise, experience, and ambitions align with the goals of the Net2Zero CDT programme. 

       B. If you are shortlisted, you will have the opportunity to meet the potential supervisors.

These studentships are open until filled, and hence early applications are strongly encouraged. 

Contact Information 

For general application or process enquiries, please contact: 

• Md Ashif Chy (Senior CDT Administrator) at Ashif.chy2@nottingham.ac.uk  

For academic enquiries, please contact:

• Dr Ioanna Dimitriou (main supervisor) at Ioanna.Dimitriou@nottingham.ac.uk
• Prof. Hao Liu (Co-Director of Net2Zero CDT) at liu.hao@nottingham.ac.uk  
• Prof. Eleanor Binner (Co-Director of Net2Zero CDT) at eleanor.binner@nottingham.ac.uk

Closing Date: 30 Sep 2026
Category: Studentships

This exciting opportunity is based within the thriving Optics and Photonics Research Group in Faculty of Engineering which conducts cutting edge research spanning exploration to translation, with curiosity driven projects all the way through to application in the clinic.   

Vision

We are seeking PhD student that is motivated and enthusiastic and keen to push the boundaries of what is currently possible when imaging with an optical microscope. Combing the latest in optical developments with the recent surge in AI, this project aims image the centre of a live intact root for the first time. Something that is currently not possible.

Motivation 

This project will address a long-standing issue in plant biology: the inability to image the centre of live, intact, plant roots. The ability to observe dynamic cellular processes at the centre of a live root for the first time will unlock entirely new lines of biological inquiry, crucial for areas such as sustainable agriculture and food security. Such an imaging system would allow for studies of a plant’s resilience to drought, salinity, and water logging, as well as responses to fungal infections and nanoparticle uptake. It is very common that new optical microscopy techniques are developed to image mammalian tissue, and that these approaches are very slow to translate across to plant biosciences where the impact could be huge and as a result exciting opportunities get missed.  

When we use light to image deep into complex samples there is a common problem that occurs – the light gets distorted and scattered by the structures present in the sample and as a result a nice quality focus and hence a nice image cannot be produced at depth into the sample. At Nottingham we have been working on this problem for several years and have developed methods that shape the incoming light with the equal but opposite distortion to that imposed by the sample to produce a high-quality image deep into the sample of interest. Recently we have been using AI and machine learning to predict the distortion present and significantly speed up this correction process.

This PhD project will take the latest in AI-informed wavefront correction techniques and tailor them to imaging deep into plant roots. It will use a range of state-of-the-art optical microscopes based in the Optics and Photonics Research Group in the Faculty of Engineering, plus those housed in Plant Biosciences at the Sutton Bonnington campus. Data sets will be generated using simulated and experimental data and these will be used to train networks to predict the common distortions that occur when imaging into plant roots. From here we can either correct for these distortions using the hardware in the microscope or in software using reconstruction algorithms. This is an exciting multidisciplinary PhD project that promises to make cutting-edge advances in all research areas involved.

Aim

This project combines practical hands-on optics experimentation with training neural networks to develop the next generation of optical microscopes. You will have the opportunity gain skills in optical instrumentation and imaging, AI and machine learning, and in plant biology and sample handling.

Your base will be in the Optics and Photonics Group in the Faculty of Engineering and from here you will work with a team of academics and researchers across Engineering, Computer Science and the Biosciences.

You will be supervised by Amanda Wright (Optics and Photonics Research Group, Faculty of Engineering), Mike Somekh (Optics and Photonics Research Group, Faculty of Engineering), Mike Pound (Computer Vision, Computer Science Department), and Darren Wells (Plant and Crop Biophysics, School of Biosciences).

Who we are looking for

An enthusiastic, self-motivated, resourceful student, who likes working as part of a team and is keen to take on a new challenge. An understanding of optics and/or machine learning is desirable but not essential, along with general coding skills.

1^st or a 2:1 in a relevant field (for example Physics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or Biosciences).

Funding support

After a suitable candidate is found, funding is then sought from the University of Nottingham as part of a competitive process (this will cover home tuition fees and UKRI stipend)

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The Faculty of Engineering provides a thriving working environment for all PGRs creating a strong sense of community across research disciplines. Community and research culture is important to our PGRs and the FoE support this by working closely with our Postgraduate Research Society (PGES) and our PGR Research Group Reps to enhance the research environment for PGRs. PGRs benefit from training through the Researcher Academy’s Training Programme, those based within the Faculty of Engineering have access to bespoke courses developed for Engineering PGRs. including sessions on paper writing, networking and career development after the PhD. The Faculty has outstanding facilities and works in partnership with leading industrial partners. 

Please contact Amanda Wright with your CV and supporting statement to apply for this project – amanda.wright@nottingham.ac.uk 

Closing Date: 02 Feb 2026
Category: Studentships