Research Degree Vacancies

Funding Source: EPSRC - IDLA

Stipend: £20,780 -UKRI standard rate for a full-time PhD over 3.5 years

Supporting Company: Jaguar Land Rover

Supervisor: Professor Darren Hughes, Dr Craig Carnegie, Dr Richard Beaumont

Eligibility: Home students

Start date: 6th October 2025

Project Overview

In order to meet the UK Net Zero Strategy, automotive manufacturers are adopting electrification in their fleet and the adoption of end-of-life principles.

Battery pack construction uses adhesives to fix multiple cells in place, creating a block of battery modules. The adhesive has several benefits, including thermal conductivity, electrical insulating and creating the necessary structural integrity needed around the battery.

However, this process can be slow, induces an element of stacking error and removes the options for easy disassembly for repair, replace or recycle.

In this project modification of the cell end cap design is to be investigated through FE analysis, prototype build and physical testing with the objective of providing a cell which is self-locating adds structural stiffness to the module and allows easy disassembly for repair or recycling.

This project will investigate new joining approaches for the battery back structure, look to incorporate structural rigidity into the module assembly and achieve a method for disassembly between cell and module.

Essential and Desirable Criteria:

Essential:

• 2:1 or higher in a relevant undergraduate degree.
• Experience of computer-based simulation.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of vehicle structures and electric vehicle design
• A proven ability to instigate computer simulations in order to understand crash structures during high velocity impacts
• Proven knowledge of current assembly and disassembly methods within the automotive field
• A history of experimental work within a laboratory setting, including manufacture, testing and analysis

Funding Source: EPSRC DLA Interdisciplinary Scholarships

Stipend:

• UKRI rate stipend for 3.5 years full-time (70 months part-time).
• Full Payment of academic fees (home only)
• A Researcher Training Support Grant of up to £5,000
• Access to Disabled Student Allowance, paid sick leave and paid parental leave

Supervisor: University of Warwick: Dr Arnab Palit, Prof Andy Metcalfe

Eligibility: Satisfy UKRI's eligibility criteria, this funding is restricted to Home fees candidates due to Council requirements

Start date: October 2025

Project Overview

Total Hip Replacement (THR) is a common surgical procedure, with nearly 100,000 performed annually in the UK. However, about 20% require revision within 15 years due to complications like implant loosening, dislocation, and fractures caused by suboptimal implant positioning. With primary THR demand in younger patients expected to increase fivefold by 2030, revision surgeries will also rise. To improve implant positioning, image-guided navigation is increasingly used in complex THR procedures. These systems combine preoperative planning and intraoperative measurements into a visual interface, improving surgical precision and outcomes. However, current navigation methods have significant limitations. They rely on artificial markers attached to bones, requiring additional incisions that increase the risk of injury and infection. The manual registration process adds 15-20 minutes to surgery, introduces human error, and creates line-of-sight occlusions, disrupting surgical workflow.

This interdisciplinary project aims to overcome these challenges by developing a vision-based marker-less navigation system using deep learning (DL). The project’s objectives include generating training data from synthetic datasets and real-world images (cadaver and actual intraoperative THR images), developing a marker-less segmentation and registration workflow, integrating with in-house THR pre-planning to create a complete navigation system, and validating it through cadaver experiments.

The proposed work will improve surgical workflow, shortens surgery time, enables unrestricted movement tracking, and reduces infection risks. Eliminating markers enables robot-assisted or fully automated femoral implantation, which is not possible with current systems. It aligns with key STEM themes and EPSRC’s strategic focus on ‘Engineering’, ‘Health and Medical Technologies’, and ‘AI, Digital, and Smart Applications’.

Warwick University is renowned for its high-quality research and a thriving PhD program. This strong research culture enhances both the PhD student’s experience and the demand for our graduates. This PhD project has been developed through interdisciplinary collaboration between Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), Warwick Medical School (WMS), and University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust. It offers an opportunity to apply engineering expertise to real-world challenges, making a meaningful impact. The successful applicant will work collaboratively across WMG and WMS. While the primary focus will be on biomechanics, image processing, machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and metrology, the student will also contribute to the co-design of cadaver experiments and data collection activities. Supervision will be provided by academics from various disciplines specializing in biomechanics, image processing, and computer vision, alongside orthopaedic surgeons and academics

Essential Criteria:

• A 1st or 2.1 undergraduate (BEng, BSc, MEng) and/or postgraduate masters’ qualification (MSc) in a relevant field, such as biomedical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, medical imaging, AI/ML, or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), with hands-on experience in developing and implementing algorithms using programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, or C++ for image processing or related applications.
• A passion and enthusiasm to challenge the state-of-the-art, and ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment, engaging with engineers, surgeons, and researchers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present research findings effectively.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience with medical image processing (e.g., segmentation, registration) and working with synthetic or real-world datasets (CT, X-ray, intraoperative images).

• Familiarity with marker-less tracking, computer vision-based navigation, or image-guided surgery.
• Prior research experience (e.g., a published paper, research internship, or project in a relevant area).

Funding and Eligibility: 

• UKRI rate stipend for 3.5 years full-time (70 months part-time).
• Full Payment of academic fees (home only)
• A Researcher Training Support Grant of up to £5,000
• Access to Disabled Student Allowance, paid sick leave and paid parental leave.

Satisfy UKRI's eligibility criteria, this funding is restricted to Home fees candidates due to Council requirements.

Funding Source: EPSRC Industrial Doctoral Landscape Award (IDLA)

Eligibility: Available to home fee status and UK domicile EU students

Stipend: £24,780 per annum for 4 years

Supporting Company: Tata Steel UK

Supervisors:

University of Warwick: Prof. Zushu Li, Dr Zhiming Yan,

Tata Steel UK: Dr Ciaran Martin, Dr Bin Xiao

Start date: October 2025 (or earlier)

Project Overview:

An enthusiastic researcher is invited to join a team to work on the EPSRC Industrial Doctoral Landscape Award project in collaboration with industrial partner Tata Steel UK. The project aims to advance fundamental knowledge on the impact of residual elements inherited from steel scrap on slag performance and utilisation in the scrap-based electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking. The research will support the steel industry’s transition to net-zero steel manufacturing and enhance the high-value utilisation of the new EAF steelmaking slags.

Transition to scrap-based EAF steelmaking, by using a high percentage of scrap supplemented with ore based metallics (OBMs), is an attractive route to decarbonise the steelmaking process. However, residual elements inherited from scrap may significantly alter slag performance during steelmaking and the slag utilisation. The residual elements inherited from steel scrap such as Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Sn, and Pb, along with alloying elements from the OBMs like V and Mn (which depends on the iron ore sources) will be distributed between the steel, slag and dust during EAF steelmaking. The presence of these residual elements in the slag may influence its physical and chemical properties, including composition, viscosity, surface tension, electrical conductivity, which in turn affects the slag refining performance (e.g. desulphurisation, dephosphorisation, residual elements removal, slag foaming) and the overall EAF steelmaking process

Effective utilisation of the scrap-based EAF slags will be significantly affected by the oxide states and levels of those residual elements. Potential destinations of EAF slags include industrial waste landfills, and reuse/recycling (e.g. returning to the steel production process, high-value recycling). Industrial waste landfill will result in considerable costs to the steelmaker and should be avoided. For the high-value reuse/recycling, it is crucial to understand the phases in which residual elements exist, their behaviours during slag utilisation, and how they can be converted to amorphous phases or recovered. These challenges remain largely unexplored.

This research will be carried out by using the world-leading research facilities (high temperature experiment, advanced characterisation and modelling) at the Advanced Steel Research Centre of WMG, the University of Warwick. This PhD studentship offers a unique opportunity to work on the exciting topic with the leading scientists at Tata Steel UK.

Essential and Desirable Criteria:

A 1st or 2:1 undergraduate (BEng, BSc, MEng) and/or postgraduate masters’ qualification (MSc) in a science and technology field such as Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, ceramics, Materials Science and Engineering, Manufacturing, Physics, Chemistry,

A passion and enthusiasm to challenge the state-of-the-art and to apply the world leading research facilities for the creation of critical knowledge and its industrial applications.

Funding Source: Industry

Eligibility: Available to home fee status and UK domicile EU students

Stipend: Standard UKRI – for 2025 its £20,780 Funding Period is 3.5-years

Sponsor Company: HMGCC

Supervisors: Louis Piper, Melanie Loveridge, Gerard Bree

Start date: 6th October 2025

Project Overview:

Essential and Desirable Criteria:

A 1st or 2.1 undergraduate degree, or a postgraduate masters’ qualification in Chemistry, Physics or Materials science / engineering would be essential.

Some experience of energy storage materials and characterisation techniques would be desirable

Funding Source: University of Warwick

Eligibility: All fee status - 2 PhD students (Home fee status), 1 PhD student (Overseas fee status)

Stipend: Enhanced stipend of £21,000

Supervisors: Prof Louis Piper and Dr M Loveridge

Start date: October 2025

Project Overview:

WE ARE RECRUITING 3 PhD students to start in October 2025. Each 4-year studentship is generously funded with an enhanced stipend, all tuition fees covered, and research support funding, including for participation in conferences. There are 3 PhD student vacancies in total, with 2 Home fee status and 1 Overseas fee status available.

Successful students will join our new Centre for Experimental Fuel Technologies (Link opens in a new windowCEFT), which aims to develop innovative fuel cell and battery technologies, underpinned by fundamental understanding. The Centre is an exciting venture bringing together leading research groups in the Department of Chemistry, Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) and the School of Engineering at the University of Warwick. With world-leading expertise and facilities in electrochemistry, materials chemistry, spectroscopy, microscopy, modelling and battery and fuel cell construction and testing, we aim to develop next generation electrochemical energy technologies through holistic views of ammonia/methanol fuel cells and metal and metal ion (Li, Na, Ca etc.) batteries, from the nanoscale to device level.

In addition to the range of exciting projects offered, the cohort of CEFT PhD student will benefit from bespoke training courses and opportunities for collaboration across the departments, with CEFT academics and their collaborators (within Warwick, nationally and internationally).

Candidates with first degrees (Bachelor’s and/or Master’s) in all branches of Chemistry, Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Materials Science and Engineering, and Chemical engineering are welcome to apply.

If you are seeking an exciting opportunity to become part of a multidisciplinary team of esteemed researchers converging around the shared technologies and innovative research methods essential for battery and fuel cell development, please read through the opportunities below and click here to apply to the Centre.Link opens in a new window

Warwick Manufacturing Group 

There are three PhD studentship available in the Warwick Manufacturing Group, under the supervision of Prof. Louis PiperLink opens in a new window and Dr. Mel LoveridgeLink opens in a new window.

Prof Piper and Dr Loveridge have vast experience in functional materials for energy storage/harvesting applications (e.g. Li-ion batteries), along with the development of various advanced characterization methods. WMG has a suite of laboratories for synthesis, electrochemistry and battery scale-up, which boast cutting-edge facilities for accelerating material developments at laboratory scale into pilot line validation.

How to apply:

[Important] For all students who are intended to apply, please use the below Programme Application Portal to get in touch with the Programme Admission Admin. Application received in other channels will be re-directed and requires apply for a second time.

Funding Source: Warwick Industrial Fellowship (WIF)

Eligibility: UK only

Stipend: £20,780 standard UKRI rate for 3.5 years

Supervisors: Professor Tony McNally

Supporting Company: Thomas Swan & Co Ltd

Start date: 1st October 2025

Project Overview:

The project focuses on the development of sustainable chemistries for the crosslinking of useful rubber compounds without the need for many currently used toxic additives, e.g. 6PPD.

This project is only open to the UK applicants. Due to the confidential and commercially sensitive nature of this project, please contact Prof. Tony McNally (T.McNally@warwick.ac.uk) directly for further information.

Essential and Desirable Criteria:

1 or 2.1 degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or materials science & engineering. Knowledge and experience of working with polymers and rubbers/elastomers is a distinct advantage.

UK students only

Funding Source: EPSRC DTP

Eligibility: UK citizens only

Stipend: £20,780 standard UKRI rate for 3.5 years

Supervisors: Professor Tony McNally

Supporting Company: Roxel Ltd

Start date:1st October 2025

Project Overview:

The aim of this PhD is to investigate RAM formulation chemistry of polyol binders (HTPB) and isocyanates for optimization of formulation (pot life) and product mechanical properties for application in solid rocket propellants.

Due to the confidential and commercially sensitive nature of this project, please contact Prof. Tony McNally (T.McNally@warwick.ac.uk) directly for further information.

Essential and Desirable Criteria: 1 or 2.1 degree in Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related subjects. Must be UK citizen.

Funding Source: Warwick Industrial Fellowship (WIF)

Eligibility: UK only

Supervisors: Professor Tony McNally, Dr Fengzai Tang

Supporting Company: Hydrograph

Start date: 6th October 2025

Project Overview:

The aim is to develop a fundamental understanding of the reinforcement mechanisms enabled by FGA-1, including its impact on application performance. Key research themes include the extent of graphene dispersion, polymer–filler and filler-filler interfacial behaviour, and the role of nanoscale architecture in determining macroscopic performance.

Essential and Desirable Criteria:

2.1. or 1 Bachelor/Masters degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Materials Science & Engineering, Polymer Science or an engineering degree with a significant materials content.

Funding Source: EPSRC DLA

Eligibility: UK Home Student

Stipend: UKRI Standard Stipend & RTSG for 3.5 years

Supervisors: Truong Dinh, James Marco, Awinder Kaur

Start date:1st October 2025

Project Overview: The development of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles is one of the best solutions for solving transportation problems such as air pollution, road congestion, and long commute times.

Lithium-ion batteries due to their high energy density, long lifetime, fast charging, wide operating temperature, and light weight, are the most common choice for the energy storage system (ESS). On the other hand, fuel cells have been more popular in recent years, especially in transportation applications due to their high energy density and capability to operate in a wide temperature range. To have high energy and power densities at the same time in eVTOLs applications, using a hybrid energy storage system (HESS) consisting of lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells seems to be a feasible solution. An effective energy management system (EMS) is then necessary to monitor the states and optimize the use of HESS, consequently enhancing the eVTOL’s desired performance.

The state-of-the-art review indicates the major research gaps for eVTOL’s EMS, including

1-Inability of Rule-based EMS to guarantee optimal performance (doi.org/10.3390/aerospace902011),

2- Violations with the constraints and missing safety in the optimization-based methods (doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116152),

3- Weakness of the model-predictive-control (MPC) against HESS’s parameters uncertainties, noises, and disturbances (doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-3413),

4-Limited flight data for adaptive methods (doi.org/10.1016/j.geits.2022.100028), and

5- Failure to use a robust state estimator to increase robustness of EMS in eVTOL, have not been filled by studies.

To address these research gaps, this PhD project is developed answer two key research questions:

1- How to utilize robust and adaptive techniques to develop a resilient, scalable, and adaptable state estimator subject to different state estimation tasks in eVTOLs?

2- How can AI, MPC, and optimization be utilized to develop a resilient EMS that meets the development challenges of eVTOLs?

Key Research Objectives (OBJs) include

OBJ1- Modelling framework design, development, and validation of models for the eVTOL and its sub-systems for both control development and evaluation.

OBJ2- Design and verification of resilient state estimators for the eVTOL and HESS.

OBJ3- Design and verification of a resilient EMS integrated with the resilient state estimators.

OBJ4- Case studies and real-time evaluation of the integrated control system within Control LAB in WMG.

Essential and Desirable Criteria:

• Background: control/mechanical/electrical engineering, physics or computer science
• Essential knowledge - skills – experience: analytical skills, ability to demonstrate good knowledge in system modelling – simulation, (classical or modern) control theories or control applications with evidence
• Desirable knowledge - skills – experience: electrification technology, knowledge and experience in aerospace/automotive/transport sectors, energy storages (battery), advanced control techniques (optimisation / adaptive / robust / intelligent control, AI/ML). Any academic publications in relevant fields would be great but not essential.

Funding and Eligibility: EPSRC DLA for UK Home Students (Excellent international students are welcome, can be supported via other PhD studentships applications)

Funding Source: University of Warwick

Eligibility: Satisfy UKRI's eligibility criteria, this funding is restricted to Home fees candidates

Stipend: UKRI rate stipend for 3.5 years full-time. Full payment of academic fees

Supervisors: Dr Frank Zhou (Lead), Dr Pasquale Franciosa

Start date: October 2025

Project Overview: Residual stresses introduced during laser welding can significantly affect the structural integrity, fatigue life, and dimensional stability of components used in critical applications across the automotive and aerospace industries. As manufacturers move towards lightweight, multi-material solutions to meet sustainability and performance targets, there is an urgent need for advanced, non-destructive methods to assess and manage residual stresses—particularly in hybrid welds combining dissimilar metals such as steel, aluminium, and titanium alloys.

This PhD project will investigate advanced electromagnetic non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques—focusing on eddy current testing (ECT) and pulsed eddy current methods—to characterise and quantify residual stresses in welded metallic structures. The research will include sensor design, in-situ monitoring during welding, and machine learning-based signal analysis, validated using high-resolution methods such as X-ray diffraction.

The student will be based at WMG, a leading centre for translational manufacturing research with dedicated facilities for laser welding, materials characterisation, and electromagnetic sensing. The project is aligned with two major research initiatives—FENDER and Lasers4MaaS—which will provide access to a vibrant network of industrial and academic collaborators, as well as real-world demonstrators and use cases. These connections will help ensure the research is both cutting-edge and practically relevant.

We are seeking a motivated UK-based student with a background in engineering, physics, or materials science. Prior knowledge of non-destructive testing, electromagnetic sensing, or welding processes is desirable but not essential. You will receive expert training across multiple disciplines, engage in experimental and computational research, and contribute to a growing area of industrial importance.

This project offers a unique opportunity to develop next-generation inspection technologies that can support safer, more efficient, and more sustainable manufacturing.

Essential and Desirable Criteria: A 1st or 2.1 undergraduate (BEng, BSc, MEng) and/or postgraduate masters’ qualification (MSc) in a relevant field