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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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187 research degree projects

Engineering

Crack-to-leak: cryogenic damage mechanisms and fracture toughness of composites for future on-aircraft liquid hydrogen fuel storage

This project aims to understand how carbon fibre composite materials are affected by extremely cold temperatures (around 20 Kelvin, or -253°C), using both experiments and computer simulations. This research is crucial for designing fuel tanks that can safely store liquid hydrogen on aircraft.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 27 February 2026
Electronics and Computer Science

Using machine learning to model complex biological interactions

This project aims to build an AI-driven system that analyses live-cell microscopy videos showing how immune cells attack cancer cells. The videos are generated in a biology lab where each experiment can be precisely controlled. You will create machine-learning and computer-vision algorithms that can detect, track, and model these cell-to-cell interactions, revealing patterns that explain when and why immune cells succeed or fail.

Funding: Fully funded (UK only)

Closing date: 31 December 2025
Electronics and Computer Science

Risk management for robust Machine Learning Operations (MLOps)

MLOps refers to the processes for developing and maintaining machine learning systems. Robust MLOps ensure reliability under uncertainty, adversarial conditions, and distributional shifts. Given the massive growth of ML-based projects across scientific fields, effectively managing risks to MLOps robustness has become non-negotiable.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 30 April 2026
Engineering

Mathematically scaling the physical impacts of soil bioturbation on bulk scale water flow, gas transport, and mechanical properties in soil

Unlocking how soil’s hidden ecosystem engineers, such as earthworms and roots, reshape its structure could revolutionize sustainable agriculture. This project develops mathematical models linking tiny biopores to large-scale soil behaviour, improving predictions of water flow, gas transport, and mechanical resilience, with vital implications for combating soil compaction and safeguarding global food security.

Funding: Fully funded (UK only)

Closing date: 2 February 2026
Engineering

Mapping plant biomechanical potential for slope stability under changing climates

Landslides threaten lives and millions in damages across Great Britain, and climate change is making this worse. This project maps how plants can naturally stabilize slopes amid shifting weather extremes, pioneering sustainable, bioengineered solutions to protect infrastructure and communities in an uncertain future.

Funding: Fully funded (UK only)

Closing date: 28 February 2026
Electronics and Computer Science | Engineering

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with intelligent onboard sensing for environmental awareness

The next generation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) must be capable of independent perception, reasoning, and adaptation in complex and dynamic environments. This PhD project aims to design a UAV platform equipped with intelligent sensing, physics-based modelling, and intelligent real-time decision-making to achieve situational awareness far beyond what is possible today.

Funding: Fully funded (UK only)

Closing date: 31 December 2025
Engineering

Damage assessment of aircraft by machine learning approaches

This research focuses on the visual inspection of aircraft images in digital format. It involves identifying various types of defects and training these images using machine learning techniques. The goal is to develop a tool that assists maintenance engineers during checks by indicating what actions are needed next, such as assessing the criticality of a defect. In addition, the research will deliver a cost benefit analysis of the whole process, to evaluate the actual benefits from such digitalized and automated tool.

Funding: Fully funded (UK and international)

Closing date: 12 December 2025
Electronics and Computer Science

Artificial Medical Intelligence for precision and preventive healthcare

This PhD project focuses on Artificial Medical Intelligence, creating AI tools that anticipate risks rather than respond after disease develops. By integrating real-world health data, you will develop digital twins and predictive models to guide prevention and personalised care, combining machine learning innovation with clinical collaboration to improve outcomes.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 31 July 2026
Photonics and optoelectronics

Computational physics of high‑power fibre lasers: from nonlinear dynamics to next‑generation applications

This project will use advanced theory and computer simulations to uncover the fundamental processes that restrict laser performance, helping design the next generation of lasers for science, industry, and healthcare.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 31 August 2026
Engineering

AI-enhanced operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms: towards resilient energy systems

Offshore wind energy is vital for a net-zero future, but efficient operation and maintenance (O&M) remain major challenges. This project explores how artificial intelligence can transform O&M by enabling automated risk analysis, predictive maintenance, and resilient energy systems, bridging digital innovation with sustainable offshore energy development.

Funding: Fully funded (UK and international)

Closing date: 15 December 2025