University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England invites online Application for number of Fully Funded PhD Degree at various Departments. We are providing a list of Fully Funded PhD Programs available at University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England.
Eligible candidate may Apply as soon as possible.
(01) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Studentship: Hidden Pest-Pathogen Alliances: Unravelling the Mechanisms of Aphid-Fungal Cooperation on Wheat
Wheat underpins global food security, providing a major source of calories for both human consumption and animal feed. However, crop productivity is increasingly threatened by plant diseases, insect pests, climate change, and growing pressure to reduce chemical inputs. Understanding how multiple biological threats interact within crops represents one of the major challenges facing sustainable agriculture.
Plant pathogens and insect herbivores are typically studied in isolation, despite sharing the same host and frequently occurring together in agricultural systems. Emerging evidence suggests that interactions between pests and pathogens can profoundly alter plant health, disease development, and crop productivity. However, the ecological and molecular mechanisms underpinning these interactions remain poorly understood.
This fully funded PhD studentship, supported by leading UK agricultural charities, will investigate interactions between the fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), and the English grain aphid (Sitobion avenae), one of the most economically important pests of cereal crops. FHB causes substantial losses through yield reduction and contamination of grain with harmful mycotoxins, while aphids impact crop performance through direct feeding damage and modification of plant physiological responses.
The project will investigate how fungal infection influences aphid behaviour, how aphids modify disease development, and how wheat responds to simultaneous attack by pests and pathogens. Combining plant pathology, chemical ecology, molecular biology, metabolomics, transcriptomics, bioinformatics, and systems biology, the research will uncover the mechanisms governing interactions within the wheat–aphid–fungus system and identify new opportunities for sustainable crop protection.
The student will receive advanced interdisciplinary training in behavioural ecology, fungal biology, analytical chemistry, mass spectrometry, multi-omics data integration, disease epidemiology, and molecular plant-microbe-insect interactions. Research will utilise world-leading facilities at the University of Nottingham, including advanced metabolomics, genomics, controlled-environment facilities, and bioinformatics infrastructure, alongside specialist chemical ecology facilities at Keele University.
Deadline : 17 August 2026
(02) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Studentship: Solid State Substation Techniques for Future Electrical Energy Networks
The aim of the project is to consider the use of modern power electronics in multi-cellular converters to form Solid State Transformer systems. This will require a study of the current state of the art in SST topologies and control before developing new techniques for both to meet the demands of new loads such as high-power EV charging systems and data centres. You will work with Dr. Alan Watson, Dr. Tabish Mir and Prof. Pat Wheeler at University of Nottingham’s Power Electronics and Machines Centre, which is a purpose-built £18M facility at Jubilee Campus. The PEMC institute is globally renowned and one of the leading research entities in its field. The work is also supported by Siemens AG, Germany and will be led at the facility in Erlangen by Dr Gopal Mondal.
Deadline : 20 August 2026
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(03) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Studentship: ABA laser cladding
ABA cladding is a variant of laser cladding that was recently developed at The University of Nottingham. By generating clad coatings by first depositing parallel but separated “A” clads and then filling in the valleys formed with “B” clads we have already demonstrated improved material deposition efficiencies compared to conventional cladding.
This project will expand understanding of the full potential of ABA cladding. There are many aspects that can be explored, and these can be tailored according to the specific interests of the successful candidate. Potential areas of work include:
- multi-material clads, where the A clads are formed from a different material to the B clads
- control of final surface topography
- generation of functionally graded coatings
- the inclusion of pre-placed elements
- development of a process model
This project directly benefits from our recently upgraded laser materials processing facilities as well as the universities extensive suite of materials characterisation equipment. This largely experimental PhD will provide transferable materials characterisation skills, including optical and scanning electron microscopy. The successful candidate will also learn advanced communication skills via preparing and presenting their work at both academic conferences and in journal publications. This PhD is expected to produce a larger than average number of journal publications.
Deadline : 19 August 2026
(04) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Studentship: Addressing Macular Diseases using Ultrathin Digital Optics
Vision technology relies on careful use of optical components such as lenses. Undoubtedly, standard prescription lenses have been revolutionary in helping billions of people and their quality of life through helping to see more clearly. However, optical technologies are based on standard glass lenses and components which are bulky and have limited capabilities.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects around 196 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of central vision loss. It reduces the ability to read, recognise faces, and perform everyday tasks, with limited treatment options available for most patients. Existing assistive technologies rely heavily on digital image processing or bulky external devices, which can be expensive, inconvenient, and inaccessible – where simple prescription lenses simply cannot address this.
This project explores a new approach using optical metasurfaces —ultra-thin optical layers that shape light—to enhance vision directly, without electronics. The aim is to increase contrast at object edges, helping users distinguish shapes and details more clearly. While edge enhancement has been shown to improve visual performance in low-vision patients, it is currently achieved using digital systems. This PhD project translates the principle into a compact, passive optical solution.
Deadline : 19 August 2026
(05) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Studentship: Improving the lifecycle of complex domestic waste
The increasing use of multilayer materials and mixed-fibre textiles has created significant challenges for recycling, as these materials are difficult to separate yet retain valuable functional properties such as flexibility, durability, and water resistance. As a result, large volumes are currently downcycled or sent to landfill.
This PhD addresses the lack of systematic approaches for identifying and repurposing such complex waste streams. The project will focus on understanding the relationships between material composition, structure, and residual properties, and how these can be exploited in alternative applications.
The research will combine detailed materials characterisation (e.g. microscopy, compositional and structural analysis) with the development of frameworks for classifying and matching waste materials to viable reuse pathways. In parallel, the project will explore constraints on implementation, including material variability, supply consistency, and user behaviour, incorporating insights from survey data and textual analysis.
By integrating technical and socio-economic perspectives, the project aims to develop new strategies for the valorisation of complex waste streams that are currently considered unrecyclable.
The successful candidate will gain experience in advanced materials characterisation, interdisciplinary research design, and both quantitative and qualitative data analysis, with opportunities to contribute to publications in sustainable materials and circular economy research.
Deadline : 19 August 2026
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(06) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Studentship: Lasers and the circular economy
High powered lasers are not routinely linked with the circular economy, however intelligent application of these highly controllable and flexible materials processing systems has great potential to advance the move towards a circular economy.
Two distinct aspects are expected to be included in the project, though there is scope to expand to other areas and to adjust the balance between topics depending on the candidate’s specific interest and in light of results obtained during the project:
- disassembly and reuse of end of life composite components
- recycling of high value waste as feedstock in laser cladding
Previous work has successfully demonstrated laser cutting of carbon fibre composites, CFRP, this project explores how this process can be exploited in end of life disassembly. The contactless nature of laser processing means that laser systems are highly flexible, different materials and component geometries are accommodated by simply reprogramming the laser path and processing parameters meaning one laser cutting system can disassemble any component geometry. The ability of the same laser to cut through both fibre reinforced composites and metal enables multi material assemblies to be processed, a key requirement.
Multiple advanced manufacturing processes make use of metallic powder based feedstocks. The materials used tend to be inherently expensive, with the need to use them in powder form further adding to that expense. This project will explore new strategies for using recycled feedstock in laser cladding. These include, but are not limited to, collection and reuse of powder, blending recycled and virgin powder, as well as repurposing of machining scrap and waste wire as feedstock, building on existing proof of concept work.
Deadline : 19 August 2026
(07) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Studentship: Exploring applied smouldering as a new energy-efficient and circular approach for managing the UK’s nuclear graphite waste
An exciting opportunity is available for a motivated and talented PhD candidate to develop a transformative technology for managing the UK’s nuclear graphite waste.
Funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, we endeavour to make technological advances with real national impact.
The UK holds significant volumes of nuclear graphite waste, and disposal options are currently limited pending the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) opening after 2050. New technologies are needed to manage graphite – a key enabler for the dismantling of the first and second generation of UK Nuclear Reactors. Applied smouldering offers a promising solution to reduce the amount of material destined for the GDF: it is energy‑efficient, cost‑effective, and well‑suited to low‑volatility carbon‑based materials.
You will design and conduct laboratory experiments to assess graphite smoulderability, develop physics-based models to predict scalability, and perform techno‑economic analyses and life‑cycle assessments using machine-learning tools. This project will prepare you for starting a career in nuclear decommissioning or applying emerging technological and modelling approaches to facilitate circular economy innovation in the energy transition.
Deadline :31 July 2026
(08) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Studentship: Sustainable Aviation Fuel Thermochemical Modelling
Applications are invited to undertake a PhD programme, in partnership with Airbus, to address key challenges in ensuring adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) by understanding the thermophysical and thermochemical behaviour across conditions typical of fuel systems. This research will remove barriers to the adoption of SAF, both for current and future fuels.
The research programme will use a mixture of computational, analytical and machine learning approaches to model the heat transfer to fuels and their physical and chemical behaviour, including changes in chemistry and physical properties. The interaction between fuel chemistry and physical behaviour will be investigated. If appropriate experimental analysis to provide validation data will be acquired as part of the PhD, although where possible validation data will be taken from industrial and openly available literature. The successful candidate will gain experience in computational, analytical and experimental approaches across mechanical and chemical engineering, applied in an aerospace industry context.
The successful candidate will be based in the Mechanical and Aerospace Systems research group (previously known as G2TRC) within the Faculty of Engineering and will be part of a supportive team of 50 researchers, technicians, support staff and academics. The group has a dynamic research culture with a programme of seminars, writing and social events, with a research office hub providing a quiet working environment with social and meeting spaces.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated person with a rigorous approach to research. Applicants should have or be expected to gain a high 2:1, preferably a 1st class honours degree in Chemical or Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or Chemistry or Computer Science a related degree. A good knowledge and/or experience in heat transfer is essential, as is the ability to work well in a team. Prior experience in the areas of computational fluid dynamics, chemistry, machine learning or computational heat transfer will be an advantage.
Deadline :31 July 2026
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(09) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD studentship: Aeroengine Oil Systems CFD in partnership with Rolls-Royce
The project focuses on developing and applying advanced CFD models for aeroengine oil systems. There will also be opportunities to integrate machine learning techniques for building lower-order predictive models. The student will gain hands-on experience in industrial applications, including practical aspects of aeroengine oil system design, spending part of their PhD based on-site at Rolls-Royce as well as receiving joint supervision and training from both the University and industry professionals.
Deadline : 24 July 2026
(10) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Studentship: Building Edge AI for Real-Time 3D Mapping and Autonomous Sensing
We are seeking a Ph.D. student to develop next-generation AI systems for real-time 3D mapping on compact, low-power devices. The project will combine optical sensing, event-based vision, and radio-frequency (RF) data with advanced AI to build robust mapping systems for challenging environments, including poor visibility and GPS-denied settings.
This is a joint project with BAE Systems plc, offering access to industrially relevant datasets, equipment, and evaluation scenarios alongside academic research training. It would suit candidates interested in careers in academia or industry, especially in AI, sensing, autonomy, robotics, or embedded systems.
Deadline : 24 July 2026
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(11) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Studentship: A Unified Framework for Reservoir Computing: From Theory to Real-World Systems
This PhD offers an exciting opportunity to explore reservoir computing, a new approach towards artificial intelligence that uses the natural dynamic behaviour of physical systems (such as light and electronics) to process information efficiently.
You will work at the intersection of mathematics, physics, electrical engineering and AI, helping to develop a theory that explains how and why these systems work — and how to design better ones.
Deadline : 22 July 2026
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(12) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Studentship: Enhanced Stipend PhD Studentship (UK) funded by the UK government Thermally Sprayed Coatings for ablation and high heat flux conditions
This exciting research project is actively seeking ultra-high temperature (UHT) ceramic materials capable of surviving short-duration exposure (on the order of seconds to minutes) under extreme conditions. These environments are characterised by temperatures up to 3000 K, pressures up to 10 MPa, mass fluxes up to 6500 kg/m²·s (including particulate fluxes up to 300 kg/m²·s), gas velocities up to 1000 m/s, and heat transfer coefficients up to 35,000 W/m²·K. Under such conditions, conventional ceramic materials undergo rapid degradation through oxidation, particulate erosion, thermal shock, and phase instability, significantly limiting their performance and service life.
This PhD project will focus on the design and development of UHT ceramics in the form of coatings, ablation and high-heat-flux testing rigs, and characterisation using secondary electron imaging, X-ray diffractometry, electron backscattered diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. This is a hugely exciting project for an enthusiastic researcher who wishes to forge an academic or industry career in the materials sector.
Deadline : 15 July 2026
(13) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Studentship: Rolls-Royce and EPSRC funded PhD – Experimental and numerical studies into the wear of articulating spline couplings for aeroengine applications
Applications are invited for an EPSRC Industrial Doctoral Landscape Awards (IDLA) PhD position at the University of Nottingham addressing the specific engineering details of the wear of articulating splines for aeroengine applications. The successful candidate will have a first-class or upper second-class honours degree in mechanical engineering or a related subject.
This studentship will attract a stipend up to £25,000 per annum for four years. The position arises from a long-standing engineering research relationship between the University of Nottingham and Rolls-Royce plc. Nottingham’s UTC in Gas Turbine Transmissions Systems will host this studentship and the candidate will sit within a community of PhD students at various stages of their study.
Spline couplings are key power-transmission components which allow torque to be transmitted between two shafts while also allowing for assembly/disassembly. Building on a long history of work within the Transmissions UTC into the performance of spline couplings, this project will seek to further the fundamental understanding the wear behaviour of such components through both experimental and numerical studies. Experimental work will be carried out using a recently commissioned rig facility in the UTC allowing the validation of modelling tools.
This project has applications in creating more power dense systems which will facilitate increased use and efficiency of high power electrical systems, and also conventional mechanical power offtakes. Reducing the size and weight of these systems, while boosting power extraction is important to continuing to improve the efficiency of aeroengines
Deadline : 17 June 2026
(14) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: EPSRC PhD Studentship: Electrophysical remanufacturing of aerospace gas turbine components for performance restoration and critical material safeguarding
We are looking for a PhD student who is motivated to develop the next generation of manufacturing processes alongside our partners in Rolls-Royce.
Aviation faces a dual challenge: decarbonisation and growing vulnerability in critical raw material supply chains. High-temperature aerospace components rely on exotic alloys and coatings with high embodied carbon and zero domestic supply, yet these components degrade in service.
This PhD project is driven by a vision of extending the life, performance, and value of existing aerospace assets, reducing reliance on virgin critical materials, and enabling more sustainable and circular manufacturing practices within the aerospace sector.
Deadline : Open until filled
(15) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: EPSRC PhD Studentship: Looking backwards to go forwards: Systems Engineering Approaches for Inverse Design of Manufacturing Systems
We are seeking a PhD student who is motivated to rethink how manufacturing systems are designed, moving beyond forward, trial-and-error approaches towards goal-driven, performance-led system design. The student will work at the intersection of systems engineering, modelling and simulation, and data-driven methods to develop an inverse design framework for manufacturing systems.
Together, we will advance the capability to design manufacturing systems that embed reliability, resilience, adaptability, and sustainability from the outset. By scientifically linking high-level performance objectives to system architecture and design decisions, this research aims to reduce costly late-stage redesign and enable manufacturing systems that can respond effectively to changing operational conditions. The outcomes of this work will support more efficient industrial design processes and contribute to the development of future manufacturing systems that are robust, reconfigurable, and fit for long-term operation.
Deadline : Open until filled
(16) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: EPSRC PhD Studentship: Novel Optics and AI Aproaches to Image the Centre of a Live Root for the First Time.
We are seeking PhD student that is motivated and enthusiastic and keen to push the boundaries of what is currently possible when imaging with an optical microscope. Combing the latest in optical developments with the recent surge in AI, this project aims image the centre of a live intact root for the first time. Something that is currently not possible.
Deadline : Open until filled
(17) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: EPSRC PhD Studentship: Retrofitting UK Schools for Health, Performance and Climate Resilience
This project aims to transform the UK school estate by developing evidence-based, climate-resilient retrofit strategies that deliver healthier indoor environments, lower carbon emissions, and long-term building performance. By integrating Passive House and EnerPHit principles with real building data, the research will support the creation of future-ready schools that protect children’s wellbeing while contributing to national net-zero and climate adaptation goals.
Deadline : Open until filled
(18) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Studentship: Machine Learning for Probabilistic Modelling of Non-equilibrium Time Series Beyond the Markovian Paradigm
The overarching aim of this project is to find synergies between methods and ideas of modern machine learning and of statistical mechanics for the study of stochastic dynamics with application to the analysis of time series. In particular, the project will examine and develop methods that go beyond the Markovian paradigm. It will consider a range of time series data, focusing on those that show challenging properties of uncertainty, irregularity and mixed-modality. It will examine a range of models and techniques that go beyond Markovian approaches, including state-space models, tensor networks, and machine learning frameworks such as recurrent neural networks and transformers. Models and datasets will be studied and benchmarked in key tasks relating to both prediction/forecasting and anomaly detection. Comparison with known analytic methods and established Markov models will be made wherever possible. Expected outcomes include a unified non-Markovian framework for time series analysis, a suite of relevant datasets, and large-scale statistical studies comparing different methods. The successful candidate will be jointly supervised by:
Deadline : Open until filled
(19) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Studentship: Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship (2026/27)
The Taiwan Research Hub, in the School of Politics and International Relations at the University of Nottingham, is pleased to offer a PhD scholarship to applicants wishing to commence study at the beginning in the 2026/27 academic year. The scholarship will be offered on a competitive basis, with applications being ranked by a panel. The panel’s judgement will be final.
The proposed research can be either in the field of comparative politics, or of an interdisciplinary nature. However, the research must be related to Taiwan, and one supervisor must be from the School of Politics and International Relations.
Deadline : 26 June 2026
(20) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Studentship: Tea Changes Everything: Understanding the Unique Sensory Experience that Tea Brings to Ready to Drink Tea Beverages
Tea is a hero ingredient in iced teas, offering a unique sensory experience. This PhD project will explore the role of tea in Ready To Drink beverages: how tea interacts with other components to shape consumer perception and emotional response. The research will involve the application of sensory methods to systematically evaluate how tea type and flavourings interact to influence taste, flavour and mouthfeel and the mechanisms of these interactions. To capture responses more effectively, liking and emotional response to a range of formulations will be captured from consumers.
The findings of the project will be used by the company sponsor to elevate the tea experience for their consumers. The successful candidate will gain multidisciplinary expertise in sensory science, analytical chemistry, product formulation and consumer research. They will work closely with Pepsi-Lipton, contributing to real-world innovation in the global tea beverage market.
Why choose this project?
The successful candidate will join a supportive, interdisciplinary research environment at the Sensory Science Centre (SSC). The SSC conducts world-leading sensory and consumer research to advance sustainable behaviour and the links between perception and food choice. The centre achieves this via its ISO standard sensory/consumer facilities, external expert sensory panel and Connect Nottingham facilities including immersive and observational technology.
The successful candidate will integrate with the University’s sensory research teams, participate in bimonthly research meetings, an annual research away day, and access internal training in Sensory Evaluation, Statistical Methods, and Consumer Sensory Science. The research group fosters a collaborative culture, promotes work–life balance via wellness initiatives, and provides conference presentation opportunities and international networking with world leading researchers
Deadline : 17 June 2026
About The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England –Official Website
The University of Nottingham is a public research university in Nottingham, England. It was founded as University College Nottingham in 1881, and was granted a royal charter in 1948. The University of Nottingham belongs to the research intensive Russell Group association.
Nottingham’s main campus (University Park) with Jubilee Campus and teaching hospital (Queen’s Medical Centre) are located within the City of Nottingham, with a number of smaller campuses and sites elsewhere in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Outside the UK, the university has campuses in Semenyih, Malaysia, and Ningbo, China. Nottingham is organised into five constituent faculties, within which there are more than 50 schools, departments, institutes and research centres. Nottingham has more than 46,000 students and 7,000 staff across the UK, China and Malaysia and had an income of £792.2 million in 2021–22, of which £131.4 million was from research grants and contracts. The institution’s alumni have been awarded one Nobel Prize, a Fields Medal, and a Gabor Medal and Prize. The university is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the European University Association, the Russell Group, Universitas 21, Universities UK, the Virgo Consortium, and participates in the Sutton Trust Summer School programme as a member of the Sutton 30.
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