PhD Studentship: Centre for Doctoral Training in Composite Materials, Sustainability and Manufacture

6 months ago


Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time


Award: PhD

Duration: 4 years

Department:  Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering

Funding: A tax-free enhanced stipend of £24,917 per annum and tuition fees for four years, subject to satisfactory research progress. 

Eligibility: Funding is available for Home students (permanent UK residency) 

Start: Flexible from September 2024 

Applications are invited to undertake a PhD programme within the Centre for Doctoral Training for Sustainable Composites Manufacturing, based at the University of Nottingham. The student will undertake an industrially focused project, conducting cutting-edge research to address the key challenges in achieving sustainable manufacture of fibre-reinforced polymer composites. Students will follow a taught programme of exciting composite-specific modules at the University of Bristol, as part of a large national cohort.

Candidate profile:

We are looking for highly-motivated students who are interested in conducting stimulating research and have a passion for finding sustainable solutions. The successful candidate will hold a minimum 2:1 masters degree in a relevant engineering or physical science discipline. Applicants without a masters qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, providing they hold a first-class undergraduate degree. 

The candidate will be expected to work independently, including extensive laboratory work and some numerical modelling. Previous knowledge of composites and composites manufacturing will be beneficial, along with experience in finite element analysis. The ability to communicate confidently and clearly with external stakeholders is essential. 

The successful candidate will join the University of Nottingham’s Composites Research Group to:

Work with leading academics and industrial partners. Receive extensive doctoral training. Receive a travel and consumables allowance to support the research. Have access to world-leading facilities. 

Project title: Characterisation of manufacturing defects and mitigation strategies

There is an urgent need to move away from hand layup of autoclave cured prepregs towards more sustainable automated manufacturing processes for fibre reinforced composites, to reduce cost, cycle time and embodied energy and avoid component variability. Manufacturing defects, such as ply wrinkles and voids are the main barrier for the adoption of these processes, significantly impacting the mechanical performance of composite structures. Inherent process variability during manufacturing can lead to over-conservative designs and increase the number of parts that are rejected. 

This project will focus on characterising and ultimately predicting the effect that these defects have on structural performance.  The occurrence of defects is a complex problem involving many factors. A combination of statistical tools and advanced machine learning techniques will be used to help develop mitigation strategies to avoid over-conservative design. This project will involve an extensive experimental programme supported by appropriate analytical or numerical modelling.

  • Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    Award: PhD Duration: 4 years Department:  Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering Funding: A tax-free enhanced stipend of £24,917 per annum and tuition fees for four years, subject to satisfactory research progress.  Eligibility: Funding is available for Home students (permanent UK residency)  Start: Flexible from...


  • Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    Seeking a highly motivated and experienced researcher to join the University of Nottingham's Composites Research Group as a PhD Studentship holder.Salary: £24,917 per annum (tax-free enhanced stipend) plus tuition fees for four years. Funding is available for Home students with permanent UK residency.Job Description:A comprehensive research project focused...


  • Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    Unlock a rewarding career in sustainable composites research at the University of Nottingham!Company OverviewWe are a leading institution dedicated to advancing knowledge and innovation in materials science.SalaryThe successful candidate will receive a tax-free enhanced stipend of £24,917 per annum, plus tuition fees for four years.Job DescriptionThis PhD...


  • Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    The University of Nottingham is seeking a highly motivated Research Scientist to contribute to a PhD programme within the Centre for Doctoral Training for Sustainable Composites Manufacturing. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of leading academics and industrial partners to investigate the sustainable design of composite structures...


  • Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    Supervisors: Professor Richard Hague, Professor Chris Tuck, Dr. Geoffrey Rivers PhD project description: Inkjet printing allows multiple materials to be 3D-printed concurrently, rather than sequentially. Discovering how to leverage this will open new opportunities in manufacturing: structural and medical components with mechanical and chemical...


  • Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom Concrete4Change Full time

    **Concrete4Change: Revolutionizing Sustainable Concrete Materials**We are seeking a highly motivated and driven individual to join our team as a PhD student in materials science. This unique opportunity will allow you to contribute to the development of new, sustainable advanced concrete materials with carbon negative footprints.Our research involves a...


  • Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom Concrete4Change Full time

    Company Overview:C4C is a leading SME dedicated to developing innovative, sustainable concrete materials with carbon negative footprints.Salary: The PhD studentship comes with an EPSRC standard rate stipend starting at £18,622 per year, increasing annually with inflation.Job Description:We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join our...


  • Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    At the University of Nottingham, we are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Materials Scientist to work on a project combining artificial intelligence with laser ultrasonics to image polycrystals.About the ProjectThis research opportunity is based within the Optics and Photonics Research Group at the Faculty of Engineering (FoE), University of Nottingham....


  • Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    Ball bearings and roller bearings play crucial roles in most rotating machines. Their design and selection involves a complex mix of considerations including component life under normal running conditions, power losses, vibrations in the machine and the ability to carry exceptional loads when/if these loads come to exist. These bearings, collectively...


  • Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    University of Nottingham seeks a highly motivated PhD researcher to contribute to the development of advanced multi-material printing techniques. In this role, you will work closely with our team of experts to design, develop, and characterise novel materials and printing methods.As a PhD student in this project, you will have access to state-of-the-art...


  • Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    This PhD research project focuses on the failure of amorphous polymers under impact, with a specific emphasis on understanding the material's response to dynamic loading. The successful candidate will work closely with our research partners at the University of Oxford to develop new material models that can be used in computer simulations of ballistic...


  • Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    The Biochar Demonstrator is part of the UK Research and Innovation £31.5M programme in greenhouse gas removal1 to help the UK meet its net zero climate target by 2050. Biochar is a charcoal-like material, produced from heating biomass in the absence of oxygen (pyrolysis). The interdisciplinary Biochar Demonstrator project is addressing the...


  • Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    About the Project:The University of Nottingham is addressing the global challenge of accessing clean and affordable energy through the development of sustainable rechargeable batteries. Our research focuses on zinc-air batteries, which can outperform lithium-ion batteries in terms of cost, safety, and abundance. We are seeking a highly motivated PhD...

  • Fully funded

    6 months ago


    Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    Supervisor: Dr Davide De Focatiis This is an exciting opportunity with full funding for fees and stipend for a 3-year home (UK) PhD studentship to work on a collaborative research project between the University of Nottingham and the University of Oxford to study the failure under impact of amorphous polymers. Background: Ballistic impact is a...


  • Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    Project background: Polycrystals are the building blocks of numerous materials around us, from metals to ceramics, influencing their mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Understanding their intricate structures is crucial for advancing fields such as aerospace, engineering, and energy. Determining the intricate structure of the polycrystals...


  • Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    Sustainable Energy Storage ResearcherThe University of Nottingham is seeking a highly motivated PhD researcher to contribute to the development of sustainable rechargeable batteries. The project aims to create defect-engineered manganese-based electrodes with enhanced features for zinc-air batteries.Key ResponsibilitiesAs a PhD researcher, you will be...


  • Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    We are looking to recruit two high calibre and enthusiastic PhD researchers who will undertake original research at Nottingham University Business School. To this end, we have made available two full scholarships, which are aimed at one international and one home PhD students. The international scholarship will cover tuition fees of £23,500 and a...


  • Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    What We OfferIn return for your hard work and dedication, we offer a competitive salary of £32,000 per annum, plus benefits and a fully funded four-year PhD studentship. Our PhD programme provides comprehensive training in solar energy technologies, experimental measurement techniques, and tools for modelling and predicting PV generation.You will also have...


  • Nottingham, United Kingdom Nottingham Trent University Full time

    **Build a Rewarding Career**: **Design things differently**: **Research Fellow in Meta Materials and Design**: **Salary: Grade 524 (£31,607 p.a.)** **36-month fixed-term contract** (end date: June 2027) **About the Role**: The 4D Materials and Printing Lab in the Department of Engineering at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is seeking to recruit a...


  • Nottingham, United Kingdom University of Nottingham Full time

    The Biochar Demonstrator is part of the UK Research and Innovation £31.5M programme in greenhouse gas removal1 to help the UK meet its net zero climate target by 2050. Biochar is a charcoal-like material, produced from heating biomass in the absence of oxygen (pyrolysis). The interdisciplinary Biochar Demonstrator project is addressing the...