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: 07/09/2026

Closing Date: 07 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: 

• Beatrix Gateb (Senior CDT Administrator for Net2Zero CDT) at beatrix.gateb1@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

Programme Length: Four years  

Contract Type: Full-time  

Prospective Start Date: October 2026 

This Engineering Doctorate studentship sits within the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Innovation for Sustainable Composites Engineering (ISCE), a doctoral training programme focused on developing the next generation of specialists in sustainable composites. The CDT in Innovation for Sustainable Composites Engineering is part of the Bristol Composites Institute in collaboration with the University of Nottingham Composites Research Group. 

Project Description

EngD on Double Diaphragm Forming for Sustainable Composites Manufacturing sponsored by Syensqo

Double diaphragm forming (DDF) is a promising means of producing sustainable fibre-reinforced composites, offering key advantages over traditional autoclave processing of prepreg sheet materials. The benefits, including reduced manual labour and shorter process times, align with the broader goals of environmentally responsible manufacturing, material efficiency, and high-performance composite production. Despite these benefits DDF for larger volume manufacturing achieving defect-free components remains a challenge, as numerous interdependent material and process parameters are involved that are difficult to optimise manually. Maintaining precise fibre orientation to prevent localised wrinkling, requires careful control, otherwise DDF components are prone to defects, which may exhibit inferior mechanical properties compared to those produced using traditional processes. Further challenges exist in understanding the temperature sensitivity and differing cure cycles of the component sheet materials as well a dealing with their directional properties because of the anisotropic nature of the prepreg sheets. Achieving the desired geometry in a defect free DDF finished component requires careful selection of materials and processing parameters. The EngD student will: 

• Develop a reliable simulation model to identify suitable material combinations to substantially reduce, or even eliminate, the need for physical feasibility trials. 
• Define a suite of deployable tools and predictive models to identify optimal polymer film and prepreg chemistry combinations over a range of cure cycles.  
• Provide you with hands-on experience at one of the world’s leading specialty chemicals companies, working with real-world industrial-scale composite manufacture, alongside state-of-the-art composite materials. 
• Deepen your passion for automated manufacturing processes, driving the development of sustainable composite structures for high-performance applications, preparing you for a career at the intersection of innovation and industry. 
• Support Syensqo’s ambition of promoting DDF in the composites industry by developing the knowledge, skills and end-user tools.   

Funding

• £26,780 tax-free enhanced stipend per year
• Full tuition fees at the Home student rate
• £9,200 per year for activities that support research

Eligibility

• Home/permanent UK residents subject to security clearance

Application

To apply please submit a personal statement, outlining your experience and your interests in the EngD project, plus your CV and transcript of results to  

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/how-to-apply/apply-online.aspx   

Please do not submit a project description; this is unnecessary as the project is already defined. Please enter Professor Lee Harper as the main supervisor (lee.harper@nottingham.ac.uk) and indicate that the funding is being provided by the CDT in Innovation for Sustainable Composites Engineering.  

Contact Information 

For general and application enquiries, please contact Beatrix Gateb (Senior CDT Administrator for ISCE CDT) at beatrix.gateb1@nottingham.ac.uk.

For academic enquiries, please contact Prof. Lee Harper at Lee.Harper@nottingham.ac.uk.

Closing Date: 30 Jul 2026
Category: Studentships

Location
 UK Other 

Closing Date
 Thursday 30 April 2026
 

Supervisors: Prof. Hao Liu, Dr Yaoyao Zheng, Nate Macmillan (AEL CCS)  

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  

The project aims to develop and demonstrate a laboratory-scale reactor that can function as a biochar/bio-syngas generator and a bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) reactor. 

Objectives: 

• In collaboration with a commercial laboratory furnace manufacturer, to conceptually design a laboratory-scale electrically heated furnace that can be used to house the multifunctional reactor.  
• To design and work with university’s engineering technicians to manufacture at least two types (fluidised bed and fixed bed) of the laboratory-scale reactor that can be housed in the electrically heated furnace and used to produce biochar and to evaluate the BECCS technology based on calcium-based and other solid sorbents. 
• To conduct biochar production tests by using the multifunctional reactor testing system with a range of biomass feedstocks and to characterise the biochar properties (e.g., pore size distribution, porosity) by using various analytical equipment (e.g., BET, SEM, XRD, TGA) available at the University of Nottingham. 
• To conduct CO2 capture tests by using the multifunctional reactor testing system with Calcium-based sorbents (at high temperatures) and other solid sorbents (including biochar-derived sorbents) (at low temperatures) – simulated CO2-containing gaseous mixtures will be used for the 1st phase of the tests and real CO2-containing flue gases will be tested in the 2nd phase of the tests. 

Person Specification 

Essential: 

Ideal candidates should hold or expect to gain a first-class or an upper second-class honours degree (or their equivalent) in one of the following subjects before the start date of the project: 

• Chemical engineering 
• Mechanical engineering 
• Materials sciences 
• Chemistry 
• Or a closely related subject. 

Desirable: 

Previous design and operational experience with any scale fluidised bed reactors is an advantage.

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 (£21,383 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 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:

1. 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. 
2. 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: 

• Beatrix Gateb (Senior CDT Administrator for Net2Zero CDT) at beatrix.gateb1@nottingham.ac.uk  

For academic enquiries, please contact:

• 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: 15 Sep 2026
Category: Studentships

Location UK Other 

Closing Date Thursday 30 April 2026 

Supervisors: Dr Ming Li, Prof. Hao Liu 

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  

Oxy-fuel combustion, where fuels are combusted in pure oxygen or a mixture of oxygen and flue gas (CO₂), produce a flue gas with a high concentration of CO₂ that allows easier sequestration without energy-intensive preprocessing. However, production of oxygen is an energy-intensive process. Industrial scale oxygen production today is still based on the conventional cryogenic distillation process developed around 1900. 

Mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) that display high oxide ion conductivity and electronic conductivity can be made into dense ceramic membranes. Such dense MIEC ceramic membranes allow oxygen ions but not nitrogen ions to pass through. They are capable of separating oxygen from air with 100% selectivity and reduced cost and energy penalty compared to the conventional cryogenic air separation technology. Oxy-fuel combustion coupled with oxygen separation membranes can provide an energy-efficient and low-cost CO₂ capture technology for fuel-combustion-based power plants.    

A longstanding challenge is to develop MIEC membranes with both high oxygen permeability and stability under operation conditions. For example, the state-of-the-art Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ (BSCF) exhibits the high oxygen permeability, but it suffers from high reactivity with CO₂ and structural instability issues.  

This project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of energy efficient oxyfuel combustion of biomass enabled by oxygen separation membranes. The specific project objectives are (1) to develop high-performance and stable mixed oxide ion – electronic conductors; (2) to manufacture the conductors into ceramic tube membranes and (3) to conduct oxyfuel combustion of biomass fuels with the oxygen produced from the ceramic tube membranes.  

This project is in collaboration with additional support from Nanodot Ltd. As part of the programme, you will benefit from a comprehensive, interdisciplinary training programme and skills development, including the opportunity for an industrial placement with Nanodot Ltd. 

Person Specification 

 Essential: 

• Ideal candidates should hold or expect to gain a first-class or an upper second-class honours degree (or their equivalent) or a 60% or higher weighted average MSc. 
• Knowledge of Ceramic Manufacturing 
• Experience in characterisation of: 
• Electrical properties (ionic and electronic conductivity) 
• Crystal structure and chemical composition 

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 (£21,383 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 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:

1. 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. 
2. 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: 

• Beatrix Gateb (Senior CDT Administrator for Net2Zero CDT) at beatrix.gateb1@nottingham.ac.uk  

For academic enquiries, please contact:

• 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: 15 Sep 2026
Category: Studentships

Supervisor: Prof Rumiana Ray (University of Nottingham)

Secondary Supervisor: Dr Hadrien Peyret (University of Nottingham), Dr Dong-Hyun Kim (University of Nottingham), Prof Toby Bruce (Keele University)

Subject Area: Plant Health, Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Resilience

Research Title: Hidden Pest-Pathogen Alliances: Unravelling the Mechanisms of Aphid-Fungal Cooperation on Wheat

Research Description

Wheat underpins global food security, providing a major source of calories for both human consumption and animal feed. However, crop productivity is increasingly threatened by plant diseases, insect pests, climate change, and growing pressure to reduce chemical inputs. Understanding how multiple biological threats interact within crops represents one of the major challenges facing sustainable agriculture.
 

Plant pathogens and insect herbivores are typically studied in isolation, despite sharing the same host and frequently occurring together in agricultural systems. Emerging evidence suggests that interactions between pests and pathogens can profoundly alter plant health, disease development, and crop productivity. However, the ecological and molecular mechanisms underpinning these interactions remain poorly understood.
 

This fully funded PhD studentship, supported by leading UK agricultural charities, will investigate interactions between the fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), and the English grain aphid (Sitobion avenae), one of the most economically important pests of cereal crops. FHB causes substantial losses through yield reduction and contamination of grain with harmful mycotoxins, while aphids impact crop performance through direct feeding damage and modification of plant physiological responses.
 
The project will investigate how fungal infection influences aphid behaviour, how aphids modify disease development, and how wheat responds to simultaneous attack by pests and pathogens. Combining plant pathology, chemical ecology, molecular biology, metabolomics, transcriptomics, bioinformatics, and systems biology, the research will uncover the mechanisms governing interactions within the wheat–aphid–fungus system and identify new opportunities for sustainable crop protection.
 
The student will receive advanced interdisciplinary training in behavioural ecology, fungal biology, analytical chemistry, mass spectrometry, multi-omics data integration, disease epidemiology, and molecular plant-microbe-insect interactions. Research will utilise world-leading facilities at the University of Nottingham, including advanced metabolomics, genomics, controlled-environment facilities, and bioinformatics infrastructure, alongside specialist chemical ecology facilities at Keele University.
 
The supervisory team comprises internationally recognised researchers in plant pathology, insect chemical ecology, analytical bioscience, biotechnology, and bioinformatics. The project offers opportunities to engage with breeders, agronomists, industry partners, and the wider agricultural sector, providing excellent preparation for careers in academia, biotechnology, crop protection, plant breeding, and agri-food innovation.

Keyword Search
 Plant Pathology, Entomology, Chemical Ecology, Molecular Biology, Multi-omics, Systems Biology, Crop Protection, Wheat, Fusarium, Aphids, Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security, Climate Change

Award Start Date: 01/10/2026

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

1st, 2:1 or MSc degree in Plant science, Agriculture, Microbiology, Ecology, Biotechnology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Molecular biology, or related biological sciences

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a CV and a brief statement (maximum two pages) outlining your academic background, research interests, relevant experience, and motivation for undertaking this PhD project to Prof Rumiana Ray - rumiana.ray@nottingham.ac.uk
 
Informal Enquiries by prospective applicants are encouraged. Please contact Prof Rumiana Ray for an informal discussion: Email: rumiana.ray@nottingham.ac.uk. When making an enquiry, please attach a current CV and include a brief summary of your research interests and academic background.

Closing Date: 17/08/2026

Closing Date: 17 Aug 2026
Category: Studentships

Vision

We are seeking a PhD student that is motivated and passionate about the design and control of power electronics technologies that make real-world impact. Together we will make technological advances that bring compact, reliable and economical energy management.

Motivation 

This PhD project focuses on the development of next-generation power electronics in the form of Solid-State Transformers which will provide key functionality in the electricity networks of the future which will feed, for example, high power charging systems and data centres and link renewable energy sources and energy storage elements.

Aim

The aim of the project is to consider the use of modern power electronics in multi-cellular converters to form Solid State Transformer systems. This will require a study of the current state of the art in SST topologies and control before developing new techniques for both to meet the demands of new loads such as high-power EV charging systems and data centres. You will work with Dr. Alan Watson, Dr. Tabish Mir and Prof. Pat Wheeler at University of Nottingham’s Power Electronics and Machines Centre, which is a purpose-built £18M facility at Jubilee Campus. The PEMC institute is globally renowned and one of the leading research entities in its field. The work is also supported by Siemens AG, Germany and will be led at the facility in Erlangen by Dr Gopal Mondal.

Who we are looking for

We are actively looking for candidates with 

• A first-class (UK equivalent) undergraduate degree in Electrical and/or Electronics Engineering.
• A master’s degree in electrical engineering (particularly power electronics and/or electric drives) is desirable (Preferably Distinction (UK equivalent))
• Knowledge of simulation platforms like MATLAB Simulink/PLECS.
• Coding and hardware skills are desirable. 
• Strong analytical/mathematical skills.
• Passion about research and willingness to learn.
• Good presentation, communication and writing skills. 

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 plus a £5,500 a year top-up from the industrial partner)

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 PhD students (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.

For information on application process please contact Alan Watson – alan.watson@nottingham.ac.uk

Closing Date: 20 Aug 2026
Category: Studentships

Location: Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Science (Psychology), University of Nottingham, UK

Start Date: October 2026   

This PhD offers an exciting opportunity to explore ultrathin metamaterials: a novel type of device that utilises digital and mathematical techniques to design multifunctional visual aids to help address and correct diseases of the eye.

You will work at the intersection of mathematics, physics, AI, and clinical practice through careful design and production of optical metasurfaces, which can help to correct macular degeneration and other eyesight problems through careful control of light.

Why apply for this PhD?

• Work on the next-generation optical physics using metamaterials
• Gain a unique combination of skills in mathematics, machine learning, photonics, and clinical practices in vision.
• Be part of a multidisciplinary research team spanning science and engineering, psychology, and healthcare.
• Access state-of-the-art laboratories and cleanroom facilities.
• Gain experience by attending international conferences and training events.
• Develop skills highly valued in both academia and industry. 

Project description

Vision technology relies on careful use of optical components such as lenses. Undoubtedly, standard prescription lenses have been revolutionary in helping billions of people and their quality of life through helping to see more clearly. However, optical technologies are based on standard glass lenses and components which are bulky and have limited capabilities. 

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects around 196 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of central vision loss. It reduces the ability to read, recognise faces, and perform everyday tasks, with limited treatment options available for most patients. Existing assistive technologies rely heavily on digital image processing or bulky external devices, which can be expensive, inconvenient, and inaccessible – where simple prescription lenses simply cannot address this.

This project explores a new approach using optical metasurfaces —ultra-thin optical layers that shape light—to enhance vision directly, without electronics. The aim is to increase contrast at object edges, helping users distinguish shapes and details more clearly. While edge enhancement has been shown to improve visual performance in low-vision patients, it is currently achieved using digital systems. This PhD project translates the principle into a compact, passive optical solution.

The project will combine: 

• Mathematical modelling and simulation of optical/photonic structures and devices
• Fabrication of ultrathin metasurfaces using the University of Nottingham cleanrooms
• Clinical applications through visual neuroscience approaches

Facilities and research environment:

• Photonics and visual neuroscience laboratories;
• Dedicated simulation and modelling softwares for electromagnetic and optical design;
• Access to dedicated cleanroom fabrication facilities;
• A collaborative research environment across psychology and engineering

Candidate profile

You do not need experience in all the areas below; additional training will be provided. Enthusiasm and willingness to learn are essential.

Essential:

1. A 2:1 undergraduate degree or a Master’s degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Mathematical Sciences, computer science, vision science or a closely related subject from a recognised institution.
2. A background in at least one of the following:

• Photonics/Electromagnetics theory, design and simulations
• Nanoscience
• Visual neuroscience or opthalmology

1. Programming skills (Python, MATLAB, or similar)
2. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
3. Good written and spoken English.

Desirable:

• Experience with photonic/electromagnetics simulation software.
• Familiarity with deep learning platforms (e.g. TensorFlow, PyTorch), Machine-learning mathematics and algorithms.
• Experience in Imaging systems (e.g. microscopy), and optical laboratory experiments (lasers/lenses)

Funding and eligibility

Open to UK, EU and international students who can provide their own funding capability. 

How to apply

Please apply online. For any enquiries about the project, email Dr Mitchell Kenney at Mitchell.kenney@nottingham.ac.uk or Prof. Paul McGraw at paul.mcgraw@nottingham.ac.uk.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview to assess their suitability.

Closing Date: 19 Aug 2026
Category: Studentships

High powered lasers are not routinely linked with the circular economy, however intelligent application of these highly controllable and flexible materials processing systems has great potential to advance the move towards a circular economy.

Two distinct aspects are expected to be included in the project, though there is scope to expand to other areas and to adjust the balance between topics depending on the candidate's specific interest and in light of results obtained during the project:

1. disassembly and reuse of end of life composite components
2. recycling of high value waste as feedstock in laser cladding

Previous work has successfully demonstrated laser cutting of carbon fibre composites, CFRP,  this project explores how this process can be exploited in end of life disassembly. The contactless nature of laser processing means that laser systems are highly flexible, different materials and component geometries are accommodated by simply reprogramming the laser path and processing parameters meaning one laser cutting system can disassemble any component geometry. The ability of the same laser to cut through both fibre reinforced composites and metal enables multi material assemblies to be processed, a key requirement.

Multiple advanced manufacturing processes make use of metallic powder based feedstocks. The materials used tend to be inherently expensive, with the need to use them in powder form further adding to that expense. This project will explore new strategies for using recycled feedstock in laser cladding. These include, but are not limited to, collection and reuse of powder, blending recycled and virgin powder, as well as repurposing of machining scrap and waste wire as feedstock, building on existing proof of concept work.

This largely experimental PhD will provide transferable materials characterisation skills, a grounding in advanced manufacturing techniques and direct experience in waste reduction and circular economy principles. This project directly benefits from our recently upgraded laser materials processing facilities as well as the universities extensive suite of materials characterisation equipment. This PhD is expected to produce a larger than average number of journal publications.

Candidate requirements 

You must be a university graduate, or be expecting to graduate, with a 2.1 (or international equivalent) and / or a masters at merit level or above in a relevant subject (engineering, physics, or materials science or closely related disciplines).

Funding

This is a self-funded PhD opportunity therefore you must secure your own funding for both fees and maintenance  either privately or via a scholarship from external/government funding bodies.

Eligibility and how to apply

Open to UK and international candidates.

This PhD project is open until filled. To apply please email Dr Katy Voisey at katy.voisey@nottingham.ac.uk attaching a cover letter, CV and academic transcripts. 

Closing Date: 19 Aug 2026
Category: Studentships

ABA cladding is a variant of laser cladding that was recently developed at The University of Nottingham. By generating clad coatings by first depositing parallel but separated "A" clads and then filling in the valleys formed with "B" clads we have already demonstrated improved material deposition efficiencies compared to conventional cladding. 

This project will expand understanding of the full potential of ABA cladding. There are many aspects that can be explored, and these can be tailored according to the specific interests of the successful candidate. Potential areas of work include:

• multi-material clads, where the A clads are formed from a different material to the B clads
• control of final surface topography
• generation of functionally graded coatings
• the inclusion of pre-placed elements
• development of a process model

This project directly benefits from our recently upgraded laser materials processing facilities as well as the universities extensive suite of materials characterisation equipment. This largely experimental PhD will provide transferable materials characterisation skills, including optical and scanning electron microscopy. The successful candidate will also learn advanced communication skills via preparing and presenting their work at both academic conferences and in journal publications. This PhD is expected to produce a larger than average number of journal publications.

Candidate requirements 

You must be a university graduate, or be expecting to graduate, with a 2.1 (or international equivalent) and / or a masters at merit level or above in a relevant subject (engineering, physics, or materials science or closely related disciplines).

Funding

This is a self-funded PhD opportunity therefore you must secure your own funding for both fees and maintenance either privately or via a scholarship from external/government funding bodies.

Eligibility and how to apply

Open to UK and international candidates.

This PhD project is open until filled. To apply please email Dr Katy Voisey at katy.voisey@nottingham.ac.uk attaching a cover letter, CV and academic transcripts. 

Closing Date: 19 Aug 2026
Category: Studentships

The increasing use of multilayer materials and mixed-fibre textiles has created significant challenges for recycling, as these materials are difficult to separate yet retain valuable functional properties such as flexibility, durability, and water resistance. As a result, large volumes are currently downcycled or sent to landfill.

This PhD addresses the lack of systematic approaches for identifying and repurposing such complex waste streams. The project will focus on understanding the relationships between material composition, structure, and residual properties, and how these can be exploited in alternative applications.

The research will combine detailed materials characterisation (e.g. microscopy, compositional and structural analysis) with the development of frameworks for classifying and matching waste materials to viable reuse pathways. In parallel, the project will explore constraints on implementation, including material variability, supply consistency, and user behaviour, incorporating insights from survey data and textual analysis.

By integrating technical and socio-economic perspectives, the project aims to develop new strategies for the valorisation of complex waste streams that are currently considered unrecyclable.

The successful candidate will gain experience in advanced materials characterisation, interdisciplinary research design, and both quantitative and qualitative data analysis, with opportunities to contribute to publications in sustainable materials and circular economy research.    

Candidate requirements 

You must be a university graduate, or be expecting to graduate, with a 2.1 (or international equivalent) and / or a masters at merit level or above in a relevant subject (engineering, physics, or materials science or closely related disciplines). The work will include consideration of public perceptions and behaviour, hence an interest in economics and/or psychology would be an advantage. The successful candidate will be expected to go out and about to directly engage with a variety of different relevant parties, making communication skills important.

Funding

This is a self-funded PhD opportunity therefore you must secure your own funding for both fees and maintenance either privately or via a scholarship from external/government funding bodies.

Eligibility and how to apply

Open to UK and international candidates.

This PhD project is open until filled. To apply please email Dr Katy Voisey at katy.voisey@nottingham.ac.uk attaching a cover letter, CV and academic transcripts. 

Closing Date: 19 Aug 2026
Category: Studentships

The research programme will use a mixture of computational, analytical and machine learning approaches to model the heat transfer to fuels and their physical and chemical behaviour, including changes in chemistry and physical properties. The interaction between fuel chemistry and physical behaviour will be investigated. If appropriate experimental analysis to provide validation data will be acquired as part of the PhD, although where possible validation data will be taken from industrial and openly available literature.  The successful candidate will gain experience in computational, analytical and experimental approaches across mechanical and chemical engineering, applied in an aerospace industry context.

The successful candidate will be based in the Mechanical and Aerospace Systems research group (previously known as G2TRC) within the Faculty of Engineering and will be part of a supportive team of 50 researchers, technicians, support staff and academics. The group has a dynamic research culture with a programme of seminars, writing and social events, with a research office hub providing a quiet working environment with social and meeting spaces.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated person with a rigorous approach to research. Applicants should have or be expected to gain a high 2:1, preferably a 1st class honours degree in Chemical or Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or Chemistry or Computer Science a related degree. A good knowledge and/or experience in heat transfer is essential, as is the ability to work well in a team. Prior experience in the areas of computational fluid dynamics, chemistry, machine learning or computational heat transfer will be an advantage.

The successful applicant would be expected to spend part of the PhD period based in Bristol at the Airbus site and will receive supervision support and training from both the University and Airbus.  This research will support the path to net zero flights and there may be opportunities to become involved in practical aspects of fuel system design and testing during the PhD.

The PhD studentship will cover fees and tax free stipend of £24,000 p.a. for 4 years. Due to funding restrictions this studentship is only available to UK (home fees) citizens.  

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Carol Eastwick, carol.eastwick@nottingham.ac.uk 

Interested in this studentship? Applications with a CV, cover letter and academic transcripts should be sent to hadrian.moran@nottingham.ac.uk 

Suitable applicants will be interviewed, and if successful, invited to make a formal application. 

Closing Date: 31 Jul 2026
Category: Studentships

Funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, we endeavour to make technological advances with real national impact.

The UK holds significant volumes of nuclear graphite waste, and disposal options are currently limited pending the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) opening after 2050. New technologies are needed to manage graphite – a key enabler for the dismantling of the first and second generation of UK Nuclear Reactors. Applied smouldering offers a promising solution to reduce the amount of material destined for the GDF: it is energy‑efficient, cost‑effective, and well‑suited to low‑volatility carbon‑based materials.

You will design and conduct laboratory experiments to assess graphite smoulderability, develop physics-based models to predict scalability, and perform techno‑economic analyses and life‑cycle assessments using machine-learning tools. This project will prepare you for starting a career in nuclear decommissioning or applying emerging technological and modelling approaches to facilitate circular economy innovation in the energy transition.

You will work closely with Tarek Rashwan, Oliver Fisher and Rachel L Gomes based in  the Food Water Waste Research Group in the Faculty of Engineering, which leads research in circular economy innovations. You will also liaise extensively with Nuclear Restoration Services, including a multi-month internship, and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority alongside a broader team of UK academics and industry partners from Canada addressing challenges with nuclear graphite.

Candidate requirements 

Essential:

• 1^st or 2:1 in Engineering or a science-related discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.

• Enthusiastic, self-motivated, resourceful, and strong willingness to learn.

Desirable:

Previous experimental and/or modelling experience with thermal treatment or combustion/smouldering is an advantage. Full research training will be provided.

Eligibility and funding 

This studentship is open to UK/home and international candidates. For funding reasons, we are particularly looking for UK applicants

PhD start date: October 2026

How to apply

Application deadline: June 1, 2026

To apply, please email your CV and supporting statement explaining your suitability for this PhD position and why you are interested to Dr Tarek Rashwan at tarek.rashwan@nottingham.ac.uk

The University of Nottingham actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. We - the Faculty of Engineering - provide a thriving working environment for all our postgraduate researchers (PGRs) creating a strong sense of community across research disciplines. We understand that research culture is important to our PGRs so we work closely with our Postgraduate Engineering Society and PGR research group representatives to support and enhance the postgraduate research environment.

As a PGR at the University of Nottingham you will benefit from training through our Researcher Academy’s training programme. Based within the Faculty of Engineering you will have additional access to courses developed specifically for our engineering and architecture PGRs including sessions on how to write a paper, communicating your research, and research integrity. 

We offer dedicated postgraduate study spaces, have outstanding research facilities and work in partnership with leading industrial partners.

Closing Date: 31 Jul 2026
Category: Studentships

This exciting opportunity is based within the Buildings, Energy and Environment (BEE) Research Group in the Faculty of Engineering. The BEE Research Group conducts cutting-edge research into low-energy buildings, building performance, retrofit and decarbonisation, indoor environmental quality, and climate-resilient design, providing a strong interdisciplinary environment for doctoral research.

Vision

This project aims to transform the UK school estate by developing evidence-based, climate-resilient retrofit strategies that deliver healthier indoor environments, lower carbon emissions, and long-term building performance. By integrating Passive House and EnerPHit principles with real building data, the research will support the creation of future-ready schools that protect children’s wellbeing while contributing to national net-zero and climate adaptation goals.

Motivation

This project is aimed at a highly motivated PhD student with an interest in sustainable buildings, retrofit, and environmental performance, who is keen to work with real buildings, performance data, and applied research challenges. The successful candidate will be curious, analytical, and motivated to tackle real-world problems at the intersection of energy, health, and climate resilience.

The research will make a significant societal and environmental impact by addressing one of the most under-researched yet socially critical building types in the UK: schools. Many UK schools suffer from poor energy performance, overheating, inadequate ventilation, and moisture risks, directly affecting children’s health, wellbeing, and learning outcomes. This PhD will develop evidence-based, Passive House–informed retrofit strategies tailored to diverse school typologies, supporting healthier indoor environments, reduced carbon emissions, and long-term resilience. The outcomes will provide practical guidance for designers, policymakers, and school estate managers, contributing to the Net Zero Schools agenda and improving everyday learning environments for future generations.

Aim

You will have the opportunity to develop an evidence-based, Passive House–informed retrofit framework for UK school buildings, focusing on energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and climate resilience. You will gain hands-on experience in building performance evaluation, hygrothermal analysis, whole-life carbon assessment, and in-situ environmental monitoring, working with real school buildings and measured datasets. The research aims to deliver practical, scalable retrofit solutions that support healthier learning environments and national net-zero ambitions.

You will work with an experienced and supportive supervisory team within the Buildings, Energy and Environment (BEE) Research Group in the Faculty of Engineering. The project will be led by Dr Sara Mohamed, with co-supervision from academic colleagues within the BEE Research Group. You will also engage with advanced research facilities, real building datasets, and—where appropriate—industry partners and external stakeholders, developing skills relevant to both academic and professional practice.

 Who we are looking for

We are seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated, and resourceful PhD candidate with a strong interest in sustainable buildings, retrofit, and environmental performance. The successful applicant will be motivated to address real-world challenges related to energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and climate resilience, particularly in educational buildings.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated, and resourceful PhD candidate with a strong interest in sustainable buildings, retrofit, and environmental performance. The successful applicant will be motivated to address real-world challenges related to energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and climate resilience, particularly in educational buildings.

Essential Competences

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• A high level of independence and self-motivation
• An analytical mindset with strong problem-solving abilities
• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within a research team

Desirable Competences

The prospective candidate may also have:

• A background in architecture or interdisciplinary built-environment fields
• Experience in sustainable architecture or building physics
• A strong interest in retrofit research
• Confidence in using quantitative methods, including environmental monitoring and performance evaluation
• Experience or interest in dynamic building performance analysis
• Ability to collaborate and engage with a range of stakeholders, including academic, industry, and user groups
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to handle data confidently and ethically

Entry Requirements

A first-class or 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.

A relevant Master’s degree, or equivalent professional experience, in sustainable design, building physics, energy modelling, or environmental performance is highly desirable.

Funding Support and Research Environment

After a suitable candidate is identified, funding will be sought from the University of Nottingham as part of a competitive process, covering home tuition fees and a UKRI doctoral stipend.

The University of Nottingham actively supports Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The Faculty of Engineering provides a thriving research environment for postgraduate researchers, fostering a strong sense of community across disciplines. PGRs benefit from training through the Researcher Academy Training Programme, including bespoke courses for Engineering researchers on academic writing, networking, and career development. The faculty also offers outstanding facilities and maintains strong partnerships with leading industrial collaborators.

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 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 Sara Mohamed with your CV and supporting statement to apply for this project - sara.mohamed3@nottingham.ac.uk

Closing Date: 02 Feb 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

Location: Nottingham

Funding For: UK Students 

Funding amount: Full tuition fee waiver pa (Home Students only) and stipend at above UKRI rates pa (currently at £20,780 for 2025/26 academic year, increasing in line with inflation). Research training and support grant (RTSG) of £3000 per year. Funding is available for 4 years.

Hours: Full Time

Closes: Open until position filled

The overarching aim of this project is to find synergies between methods and ideas of modern machine learning and of statistical mechanics for the study of stochastic dynamics with application to the analysis of time series. In particular, the project will examine and develop methods that go beyond the Markovian paradigm. It will consider a range of time series data, focusing on those that show challenging properties of uncertainty, irregularity and mixed-modality. It will examine a range of models and techniques that go beyond Markovian approaches, including state-space models, tensor networks, and machine learning frameworks such as recurrent neural networks and transformers. Models and datasets will be studied and benchmarked in key tasks relating to both prediction/forecasting and anomaly detection. Comparison with known analytic methods and established Markov models will be made wherever possible. Expected outcomes include a unified non-Markovian framework for time series analysis, a suite of relevant datasets, and large-scale statistical studies comparing different methods. The successful candidate will be jointly supervised by:

Dr Edward Gillman (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/physics/people/edward.gillman)

and

Professor Juan P. Garrahan (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/physics/people/juan.garrahan)

Supervisors: Dr Edward Gillman, Professor Juan P. Garrahan

Entry requirements

Open to UK nationals only (This placement will require national security vetting at the security check (SC) level, which makes the restriction to UK nationals necessary). Expected starting date October 2025. We are seeking candidates with:

• Relevant subject matter experience at required level (e.g. 2.1 or above undergraduate degree in physics, mathematics or computer science)

• Willingness to adapt and work across different disciplines

• Ability to work independently and cooperatively

• Commitment to inclusivity, responsible research and innovation

How to apply

Applications should be submitted by following the steps outlined on the page https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/physics/studywithus/postgraduate/howtoapply.aspx

In the “Research Proposal Section” of the online application simply state that you are applying to the open position on “Machine Learning for Probabilistic Modelling” with Dr Edward Gillman and Professor Juan P. Garrahan as supervisors.

Funding Fully and directly funded for this project only. Full tuition fee waiver p.a. (Home Students only) and stipend at above UKRI rates p.a. (currently at £20,780 for 2025/26academic year, increasing in line with inflation). Funding is available for 4 years

Application deadline: Open until the position is filled

Enquiries: Contact Dr Edward Gillman (edward.gillman@nottingham.ac.uk)

Closing Date: 25 Jul 2025
Category: Studentships