Current research degree projects
Explore our current postgraduate research degree and PhD opportunities.
Search PhD projects
241 research degree projects
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Electronics and Computer Science | Engineering
Smart materials for wearable electronics with next-gen manufacturing
This project offers a rare opportunity to work with the UK’s only roll-to-roll sputtering system, a brand new and bespoke platform designed specifically for next-generation material discovery. You’ll explore innovative thin-film materials for flexible electronics, developing scalable recipes that bridge cutting-edge research with real-world commercial compatibility through high-throughput, fabric-friendly processes. -
Engineering
Development of high-performance miniaturised ultrasonic devices for precision minimally invasive surgery
This project, in the field of ultrasonic surgery, focuses on the development of cutting-edge miniature ultrasonic devices targeted for bone surgery. It seeks to advance the current state-of-art design by introducing new configurations and incorporating novel structures in miniaturised devices to enhance precision and improve clinical outcome. -
Engineering
System identification of nonlinear space structures via physics-informed machine learning
Modern lightweight space structures face harsh environments and often exhibit nonlinear dynamics due to contacts, friction, and geometric nonlinearities. This project combines numerical, analytical, and experimental methods to develop physics-informed machine learning tools for efficient nonlinear system identification, enabling accurate modelling and validation of the next-generation space technologies. -
Photonics and optoelectronics | Engineering | Physics and astronomy
Photonic fibres for renewable energy
This project repurposes photonic fibre technologies—central to global telecoms—for renewable energy applications, including solar generation and low-cost storage. Combining cleanroom fabrication, optical characterization, and simulation, it supports net-zero goals through scalable photonic platforms, guided by a multidisciplinary team in photonics, manufacturing, and decarbonisation. -
Photonics and optoelectronics | Electronics and Computer Science | Physics and astronomy
Mid infrared metaoptics and diffractive optical computing
This project focuses on designing and fabricating novel photonic computing devices using chalcogenide glass materials such as sulfur (S), selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te). These materials enable the creation of micro and nanoscale structures known as meta-optics, that precisely control light over a broad spectral range. -
Photonics and optoelectronics | Physics and astronomy | Electronics and Computer Science
AI directed materials discovery and atomistic modelling
This project develops chalcogenide glass materials for optical and electronic applications using cleanroom fabrication and AI-driven simulations. It aims to replace rare elements with earth-abundant alternatives, combining experimental and computational methods to create advanced materials with broad industrial potential and train researchers in cutting-edge, transferable skills. -
Engineering
Ultrasonic drilling for minimally invasive assessment of inhomogeneous damage in degraded concrete
This project aims to develop a robot-integrated ultrasonic drilling system for minimally invasive, high-resolution assessment of inhomogeneous damage in degraded concrete. By combining ultrasonic sensing and force measurement during drilling, the system enables real-time subsurface characterization in extreme environments such as underwater or post-fire, supporting safer infrastructure inspection and maintenance. -
Electronics and Computer Science | Engineering
Stacked Intelligent Metasurface (SIM) for Orthogonal Time Frequency Space (OTFS)
This project will explore the combination of Stacked Intelligent Metasurfaces (SIM) and Orthogonal Time Frequency Space (OTFS) in the context of Space-Air-Ground Integrated Network (SAGIN) applications. -
Electronics and Computer Science | Engineering
Visible Light Integrated Sensing and Communication (VL-ISAC)
Imagine a world where there is Internet access and radar-assisted living and quantum security, wherever there is light. The objective of this project is to implement Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) in visible light bands. -
Engineering | Electronics and Computer Science | Mathematical sciences | Physics and astronomy
Modelling gust-wing interactions in curvilinear flows
This PhD project will explore gust–wing interactions in vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs). Integrating computational fluid dynamics, data-driven modelling, and experiments on a custom-built VAWT rig, you will examine how gusts influence blade aerodynamics in curvilinear flows and develop predictive tools to mitigate their adverse effects.