Current research degree projects
Explore our current postgraduate research degree and PhD opportunities.
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246 research degree projects
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Physics and astronomy
Quantum technologies for GNSS-denied navigation: a quantum inertial navigation sensor simulator
Quantum sensors may permit long-range navigation when satellite systems cannot be used. This project will develop a quantum inertial sensor simulator, built around experimentally validated computational models, to provide real-time simulated data from actual motions, so that navigation engineers can explore quantum integration ahead of real quantum device availability. -
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Synthesis of doped metal mixed anion thin films for transparent conductor applications
This project investigates the synthesis of mixed anion thin films for transparent conductor applications. The project will involve the use of a range of thin film deposition techniques, including aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition. -
Photonics and optoelectronics
Crystalline dielectric mirrors for high power lasers
This project focuses on the development of crystalline dielectric mirrors for high-power Lasers. It aims to shape the future of energy transfer technologies in areas such as, laser interactions, plasma physics, materials science and engineering. -
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
High-purity rare-earth complexes for preparation of ultra-high power fibre optic lasers
The preparation of molecular rare-earth (lanthanide) complexes for chemical vapour deposition (CVD) is key to the development of rare-earth doped optical fibres for high-powered lasers. This project will deliver the next generation of CVD precursors through development of novel, volatile rare-earth complexes, using synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry. -
Engineering
Cargo bikes as a vehicle for transport equity
Cargo bikes are promoted as a sustainable alternative to car-based travel, but their use as care infrastructure in a family setting is under-explored. This project seeks to investigate how these technologies function within family contexts and how their use may shape everyday mobility practices, children’s experiences, and transport equity. -
Engineering
Modelling of liquid-fuelled rotating detonation engines for gas-turbine applications
Using a rotating detonation engine (RDE) as gas turbine combustion chamber could increase engine efficiency dramatically. This project will implement two-phase flow and spray combustion modelling into our in-house dynamically adaptive RDE code to quantify the potential of RDE-based jet engines by massively parallel computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. -
Engineering
Efficient and trustworthy CFD simulation of hypersonic glide vehicles under dynamic control
Hypersonic glide vehicles operate in an extreme aerothermal environment and are genuinely difficult to control. While evaluating control methodologies currently relies on precomputed aerodynamic databases, this project will extend and directly couple our inhouse predictive, non-equilibrium aerothermodynamic overset strand-mesh computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver with the control methodology. -
Engineering
Development of electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry for spacecraft missions
This project will pioneer space-ready electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry to detect biosignatures in the Solar system. Combining spacecraft propulsion electrospray techniques with flight-proven miniaturised mass spectrometers, the project develop cutting edge electrospray mass spectrometry techniques through a unique collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) mission heritage. -
Engineering
Aero-optics of high-speed flow
Supersonic and hypersonic flows contain density fluctuations that affect the performance of optical sensors, including non-intrusive flow measurement. An additional feature is the challenging aerothermodynamic environment with extreme surface heating. On this project you'll use scale-resolving numerical simulation to understand the flow physics and develop new prediction methods. -
Engineering
Turbulent boundary layer noise
Noise production by turbulent boundary layers is an important practical problem that remains a challenge for prediction methods. On this industry-supported project you'll apply new techniques of large-scale numerical simulation and machine learning to understand the flow physics and develop new prediction methods.