Current research degree projects
Explore our current postgraduate research degree and PhD opportunities.
Search PhD projects
246 research degree projects
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Engineering
Developing and testing new sensors for characterising ocean carbon dioxide uptake
Oceans are critical to the changing climate, having absorbed a third of all anthropogenic carbon dioxide; hence monitoring ocean uptake is essential for understanding, modelling, and mitigating climate change. This project looks to develop and test novel sensors to do so, based on droplet microfluidic technology. -
Engineering
Making nanoscale materials: precision fabrication of high-performance functional structures
This project focuses on exploring high-precision lithographic fabrication techniques for the development of multifunctional material structures at the nanoscale, with applications in wireless energy and information transfer, and in biomedicine. -
Engineering
A simulation-based multi-objective optimisation framework for healthier UK housing
This project aims to understand how simulation approaches and other experimental modelling can be used to optimise building performance in relation to user health, comfort, and environmental sustainability. It will also establish reliable methods for validating the results and enhance the standing of computational building physics methods in finding robust architectural design for housing. -
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Designing many-body quantum echoes for quantum computation assisted structure determination
In this project, you will explore the design of many-body quantum echoes that amplify structurally sensitive data for quantum computation. By combining controlled quantum experiments with quantum algorithmic methods, you will gain hands-on experience applying fundamental quantum techniques to real-world problems. -
Engineering
Air lubrication for drag reduction over non-flat surfaces
Injecting air beneath a ship’s hull offers significant drag reduction and fuel savings, but current systems perform best on flat geometries. This project addresses the open question of how hull curvature influences air-layer dynamics and stability. This is a crucial step toward extending air lubrication to a wider range of vessel designs and realistic flow conditions. -
Engineering
Multiphysics modeling of degradation in next-generation thermal barrier coatings
This project investigates the failure mechanics of next-generation thermal barrier coatings produced by suspension plasma spray and solution precursor plasma spray, an area where computational modelling remains largely unexplored. It will develop multiphysics models of degradation under extreme thermal and chemical conditions to guide high-performance coating design for aerospace and energy. -
Electronics and Computer Science | Photonics and optoelectronics
Harnessing Topological Light through Metasurfaces for Intelligent 3D Endoscopy
This PhD project will develop metasurface-enabled intelligent optical sensing for rapid, accurate identification of miniature features in endoscopy. Building on recent funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Leverhulme Trust, this PhD combines advanced nanofabrication, machine-learning-driven optical design, and close collaboration with University Hospital Southampton, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). -
Electronics and Computer Science | Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Engineering | Physics and astronomy
Ferroelectric diodes with 2D semiconductors for future AI hardware
Artificial intelligence demands faster, more efficient hardware. This PhD project addresses the energy and latency bottlenecks of modern computing hardware by bringing memory and computation together. Join us in developing neuromorphic devices using foundry-compatible ferroelectric diodes with two-dimensional materials for future computing hardware. -
Engineering | Electronics and Computer Science
AI-driven solar-laser hybrid sintering for lunar regolith metamaterials
This project investigates the microstructural evolution and mechanical behaviour of laser-sintered lunar regolith. Combining advanced microscopy, nano-/micro-mechanical testing, and graph neural network modelling, the research will uncover how glass formation and pore topology control strength, enabling predictive design of next-generation regolith-based building materials. -
Engineering
Quantum technologies for early detection of dementia
This project aims to investigate how quantum technologies can transform MRI based dementia research, laying foundations for novel diagnostics. You'll work at the intersection of quantum engineering, neuroscience, and clinical analysis, and lead an interdisciplinary project with the potential to shape future dementia care and beyond.