Discipline: Engineering & Physical Sciences
Start Date: December 2026

Project Overview

This fully funded PhD project aims to develop and evaluate a novel hybrid energy system integrating gas turbines, low-temperature carbon capture, biomass gasification, and advanced solar thermal technologies to enable carbon-negative fuel production and grid support.

The research will focus on developing intelligent energy systems capable of reducing carbon emissions, improving grid stability, and enhancing sustainable energy generation. The project combines thermodynamic modelling, transient simulation, techno-economic assessment, life cycle analysis, and AI-driven optimisation to support the UK's net-zero ambitions.

Research Objectives

The successful candidate will:

• Develop thermodynamic models of integrated hybrid energy systems.
• Conduct transient simulations using UK climate and grid demand profiles.
• Evaluate system performance under varying operating conditions.
• Perform techno-economic and life cycle assessments.
• Develop AI-driven optimisation and intelligent control strategies.
• Investigate opportunities for deployment across industrial applications, including steel, cement, and waste-to-energy sectors.

Supervisory Team

• Dr Ioanna Dimitriou, University of Nottingham
• Dr Oliver Fisher, University of Nottingham

About the Net2Zero Centre for Doctoral Training

The Net2Zero CDT is a partnership between Aston University, the University of Nottingham, Queen's University Belfast, and the University of Warwick. Students benefit from:

• Access to world-class research facilities.
• Collaboration with academic and industrial partners.
• International networking opportunities.
• Training in engineering, communication, entrepreneurship, and business skills.
• A three-month industrial, research, or policy placement.

Candidate Profile

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First-Class or strong 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in:

• Chemical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Energy Engineering
• Process Engineering
• Or a closely related discipline

A background in thermodynamics, energy systems, process modelling, programming, or simulation tools such as MATLAB, Python, Aspen Plus, TRNSYS, or EES is desirable.

Funding Package

• UKRI tax-free stipend (£21,805 per annum for 2026/27)
• Full tuition fee support
• Research Training Support Grant (RTSG)

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to Home Fee Status candidates only. You can find the rules for home fee eligibility.Rules for home fee eligibility

Academic Queries

For enquiries regarding the research project, please contact:

• Dr Ioanna Dimitriou- Ioanna.Dimitriou@nottingham.ac.uk
• Dr Oliver Fisher- Oliver.Fisher2@nottingham.ac.uk

Administrative Queries

For enquiries regarding eligibility, funding, or the application process, please contact:

Net2Zero CDT Team,  Md Ashif Chy, EZ-Net2Zero-CDT@nottingham.ac.uk

Closing Date: 13 Oct 2026
Category: Studentships

Project Overview

Activated carbon is widely used in water and air treatment applications to remove contaminants, including taste and odour compounds, PFAS, and other emerging pollutants. This PhD project will investigate the development of advanced microwave technology for activated carbon reactivation, offering a more energy-efficient and lower-carbon alternative to conventional thermal regeneration methods. 

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of innovative microwave reactivation processes in collaboration with industry partner Dr Andrew Gill at Puragen, gaining experience in laboratory-scale and pilot-scale process development and scale-up. 

Supervisory Team

• Prof. Eleanor Binner, University of Nottingham
• Dr Gabriela Duran Jimenez, University of Nottingham
• Dr Andrew Gill, Puragen Ltd 

About the Net2Zero Centre for Doctoral Training

The Net2Zero Centre for Doctoral Training is a partnership between Aston University, the University of Nottingham, Queen's University Belfast, and the University of Warwick. The programme focuses on negative emission technologies and solutions that support net-zero ambitions through interdisciplinary research and industrial collaboration. 

Students will benefit from:

• A strong network of researchers, academics, industry partners, and policymakers.
• Access to cutting-edge research facilities.
• International collaboration opportunities.
• Training in engineering, communication, entrepreneurship, and business skills.
• A three-month placement with industry, research collaborators, or policymakers. 

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain before the start date:

• A First Class or strong 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent), and/or a Master's degree in: 
  1. Chemical Engineering
  2. Process Engineering
  3. Particle Engineering
  4. A closely related discipline

Applicants should also demonstrate excellent communication, teamwork, and safety awareness. 

Funding

The studentship includes:

• UKRI tax-free stipend (£21,805 per annum for 2026/27)
• Full tuition fee support
• Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) 

Eligibility

Please note that this opportunity is open to Home Fee Status candidates only. 

Academic Queries

For enquiries relating to the research project, supervision, or technical aspects of the PhD, please contact:

Professor Hao LIU (BEng, MEng, PhD, CEng, MEI)

 liu.hao@nottingham.ac.uk

Chair in Energy Engineering

Co-Director of EPSRC/BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Negative Emission Technologies for Net Zero: Net²Zero

Associate Director of EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Resilient Decarbonised Fuel Energy Systems

Eleanor Binner

Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering

co-director of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Net²Zero and Sustainable Futures Lead for the Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance.

Eleanor.Binner@nottingham.ac.uk

Administrative Queries

For enquiries relating to eligibility, the application process, funding, or the Net2Zero CDT programme, please contact:

Net2Zero CDT Team:

Md Ashif Chy

EZ-Net2Zero-CDT@nottingham.ac.uk

Closing Date: 30 Nov 2026
Category: Studentships

Project Overview

This fully funded PhD project will develop and demonstrate a laboratory-scale multifunctional reactor capable of producing biochar and bio-syngas while also operating as a Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) system. The research will contribute to the development of innovative net-zero technologies through collaboration with academic and industrial partners.

Research Activities

The successful candidate will:

• Design and develop a laboratory-scale multifunctional reactor in collaboration with industrial partners.
• Manufacture and test reactor configurations for biochar production and CO₂ capture.
• Evaluate biomass feedstocks and biochar-derived materials.
• Conduct experimental studies on CO₂ capture using calcium-based and other solid sorbents.
• Characterise materials using advanced analytical facilities at the University of Nottingham.

Supervisory Team

• Prof. Hao Liu, University of Nottingham
• Dr Yaoyao Zheng, University of Nottingham
• Nate Macmillan, AEL CCS

About the Net2Zero CDT

The Net2Zero Centre for Doctoral Training is a collaboration between Aston University, the University of Nottingham, Queen's University Belfast, and the University of Warwick. Students benefit from world-class facilities, specialist training, industrial engagement, networking opportunities, and a three-month placement.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should hold, or expect to achieve before enrolment:

• A First Class or strong Upper Second-Class (2:1) Honours degree and/or Master's degree in: 
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Chemistry
  • Or a closely related discipline

Experience with reactor design or fluidised-bed systems is desirable but not essential.

Funding

The studentship provides:

• UKRI tax-free stipend (£21,805 per annum for 2026/27)
• Full tuition fee support
• Research Training Support Grant (RTSG)

Eligibility

Open to Home Fee Status candidates only.

Eligibility rules for home fee status and student finance from the 2022 to 2023 academic year onwards - GOV.UK

Academic Queries

For enquiries regarding the research project or supervision, please contact:

Prof. Hao Liu
 Email: liu.hao@nottingham.ac.uk

Dr Yaoyao Zheng
 Email: Yaoyao.Zheng@nottingham.ac.uk

Administrative Queries

For enquiries regarding eligibility, the application process, funding, or the Net2Zero CDT programme, please contact:

Md Ashif Chy
 Net2Zero CDT Team
 Email: EZ-Net2Zero-CDT@nottingham.ac.uk

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Net2Zero CDT is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds. Applications from groups currently underrepresented in higher education and research are particularly encouraged

Closing Date: 30 Nov 2026
Category: Studentships

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

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