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Current research degree projects

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Explore our current postgraduate research degree and PhD opportunities.

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266 research degree projects

Photonics and optoelectronics | Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Engineering | Physics and astronomy

Mid-infrared nonlinear effect and devices based on soft-glass optical fibers

Current nonlinear fiber optic devices mainly focus on the visible and near-infrared bands. The project focuses on the development of mid-infrared (MIR) nonlinear optics and integrated nonlinear devices using soft-glass optical fibers to achieve efficient light generation and manipulation in the 2–20 µm spectral region.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 31 August 2026
Electronics and Computer Science

Symmetry-restricted quantum parameterised circuit generative models

Recognising patterns in data to simulate their distributions is a machine learning task that can be enhanced by generating measurement samples from quantum states that are suitably prepared by parameterised quantum circuits. By exploiting symmetry properties, the project will build efficient quantum generative models that have a wide range of applications.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 30 September 2026
Photonics and optoelectronics | Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Engineering | Physics and astronomy

Low-loss mid-infrared microstructured optical fibers

Mid-infrared (MIR) optical fibers are critical for applications such as environmental monitoring, biomedical diagnostics and chemical sensing. This project aims to develop low-loss MIR microstructured optical fibers (MOFs) for efficient light transmission in MIR spectral region (2–20 µm).

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 31 August 2026
Electronics and Computer Science | Engineering

Smart sustainable E-Textile fitness and wellbeing monitoring system

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join us and study for your PhD where you will develop a novel textile-based wearable sensing system combining multiple sensor inputs. We are seeking 1 outstanding Doctoral Researcher (DR) candidate for a fully-funded studentship.

Funding: Fully funded (UK only)

Closing date: 28 November 2025
Electronics and Computer Science

Scalable and explainable time-series machine learning

This project advances time-series machine learning, including classification, clustering, and regression, by scaling and extending state-of-the-art methods, designing novel deep and ensemble models that exploit temporal structure, and improving usability and explainability. Research is driven by real-world case studies and delivered via the open-source aeon toolkit, with extensive international collaboration.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 12 December 2025
Photonics and optoelectronics

Grating waveguide structures for high-power lasers

Novel dispersive photonic devices are opening up incredible possibilities for efficient lasers and light manipulation. We’re looking for a passionate PhD student to join a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action doctoral training network and push the boundaries of what’s possible with nanofabrication technology.

Funding: Fully funded (UK and international)

Closing date: 31 March 2026
Photonics and optoelectronics

Dielectric all-crystalline grating waveguide reflectors

Novel crystalline photonic devices are opening up incredible possibilities for efficient lasers and light manipulation. We’re looking for a passionate PhD student to join a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action doctoral training network and push the boundaries of what’s possible with pulsed laser deposition.

Funding: Fully funded (UK and international)

Closing date: 31 March 2026
Physics and astronomy

Starfire: simulating thermonuclear ignition on neutron stars

This project investigates thermonuclear (Type I) X-ray bursts on neutron stars through numerical simulations of flame spreading and ignition. You'll model burst dynamics, compare results with observations, and explore broader applications of the code to stellar flame propagation and exoplanetary atmospheres, developing strong computational and programming expertise.

Funding: Fully funded (UK and international)

Closing date: 6 January 2026
Engineering | Mathematical sciences | Physics and astronomy

The fluid mechanics of plastic pollutants and other particle-fluid interactions

Consider a major global environmental issue. Perhaps you thought about ocean plastic pollution, air pollution, or sea level rise leading to coastal erosion. In this project, you will contribute to this goal through experimental, theoretical, numerical, or combined approaches, depending on your skills and interests.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 30 May 2026
Physics and astronomy | Electronics and Computer Science

Hunting for Black Holes

This PhD project will lead the next-generation search for black holes in the Galaxy. Weave together state-of-the-art observational and theoretical evidence on understanding how these cosmic monsters are born and evolve.

Funding: Fully funded (UK only)

Closing date: 6 January 2026