Micro -NDE PALS (funding for UK students)

PhD in positron annihilation measurements for Non-Destructive Testing & Evaluation

We have a funded PhD place for UK PhD students in an exciting new research collaboration - using positron annihilation to quantify the level of microscopic defects in a sample, with the aim of detecting and measuring material degradation in a metal before a sample develops a serious or even catastrophic defect. No other existing NDT/NDE techniques have the potential sensitivity of this new approach, applying the measurement from one side of a sample to make it practically viable, using state of the art equipment to measure the short positron lifetimes to extremely high accuracy. The successful applicant will be jointly supervised by Steve Dixon and Jon Duffy, with the opportunity to work on a range of cutting edge experimental techniques - applying physics to tackle a real world problem. You'd be responsible for developing a brand new instrument that we'd aim to get into real world trials at the end of the project. Potential applications span all areas of power generation, aerospace, civil engineering and all other areas where metals can degrade over time where the damage starts as microscopic cracks or voids or even changes in the dislocations present in the metal component.

For a more detailed information on the project please click here.

For information on how to apply then please click here.

More opportunities may be available later in the year - check in December.

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PhDs / EngDs / MSc by Research starting October 2025 or earlier

If you are self-funded student, or are keen to apply for a Warwick scholarship and meet the criteria, then please get in touch with us to discuss options, as we have a range of potential PhD / EngD / MSc by Research projects available in the areas of:

• Ultrasonic flow measurement
• Liquid crystal ultrasonic detectors
• Ultrasonic NDT
• Ultrasonic transduction using magnetostrictive patch sensors
• Robotic NDT using EMATs and eddy current sensors
• High temperature EMAT arrays

In principle, self-funded students can start at any time, but it is sometimes better to start in October and go through the induction process with the other new posgrad starters.

If you would like to discuss the option of going for one of the Warwick Scholarships, then please read the University website to find out more about what you could apply for and then contact us to discuss. Bear in mind that some of the Scholarship schemes have an deadline that can be almost 1 year before the actual start of the PhD, so plan ahead:

https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/schols_fund/scholarships_and_funding/

If you wish to discuss PhD or EngD or MSc by Research opportunities then please contact either:

Steve Dixon (S.M.Dixon@warwick.ac.uk) - flow, magnetostrictive patches, eddy currents, ultrasonic NDT

or

Rachel Edwards (R.S.Edwards@warwick.ac.uk) - liquid crystals, robotics, ultrasonic NDT, EMAT arrays