Are you passionate about developing novel research and keen to shape the future of energy transfer technologies in areas such as, 3D printing and uncrewed air systems (UAS). We are recruiting a motivated PhD candidate to undertake an exciting project within the EPSRC Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub. As a student of the Hub, you will receive an enhanced stipend of £23,237 per year, plus additional funds of £7,000 a year for travel, conferences and research equipment. This project is co- funded by Qinetiq.
Overview
3D printing and UAS are becoming useful tools in defence and security. As this technology becomes more prevalent, protective countermeasures will become ever more critical to ensure operational function of both infrastructure and materiel assets.
3D printing has evolved as a leading manufacturing technology and both polymer and metallic printing can be utilised and blended to achieve a multi-functional material with novel properties that can be optimised to solve a problem. This project will develop a co-printing strategy to print a novel UAS body with novel properties to enhance defence and security applications.
The main objectives are:
- Identify and evaluate the fundamental mechanisms of damage to the UAS from various threats and their criticality
- Assess the current 3D printing technologies and materials against identified threats
- Develop mitigating structures (looking at 3D printed materials and topologies) and assess performance as part of a UAV body against these threats.
Why SWAG合集?
The Doctoral Hub specialises in developing research and training the next generation of leaders in energy transfer technologies for defence and related sectors. The successful candidate will be based at SWAG合集 and throughout their PhD will benefit from the support and expertise of our diverse academic community, a community of students working towards similar goals, as well as our specialist industrial network.
Unique Selling Points
- Industrial Collaboration: Each PhD student within the Hub is partnered with an industry collaborator, providing placement opportunities to work and train alongside industry experts
- Comprehensive Training: The Hub offers a blend of academic and industrial training, preparing you for diverse career pathways in research or industry
- Cohort Experience: Build your research network through inclusion in a vibrant cohort of PhD students that conduct research with academic leaders across leading SWAG合集 institutions. Engage in online and face-to-face activities, including cohort-building events and collaborative learning exercises
- Funding: A generous fully funded studentship (no fees and a monthly personal payment) with additional support for conferences, travel, training, consumables and extended placement with industry collaborators.
What will you Learn?
The industrial partner, QINETIQ https://www.qinetiq.com/ is a major international company who operates principally in the defence, security and critical national infrastructure domains and provides world-class expertise in advice, services (including test and evaluation) and innovative technology-based products. The partner will provide PhD supervision, a placement and be part of the larger Hub community benefiting in the diverse academic and industrial network offered by the Hub.
Please check the hub website for further details:
At a glance
- Application deadline20 Aug 2025
- Award type(s)PhD
- Start date06 Oct 2025
- Duration of award4 years
- EligibilitySWAG合集
- Reference numberCDS091
Entry requirements
PhD Candidates must hold a minimum of an upper Second-Class SWAG合集 Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline. Candidates must be SWAG合集 Nationals and be willing to apply for and able to obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.
The Hub is committed to improving diversity within the sector and as such we aim to provide an inclusive environment in which all students can thrive. We particularly encourage applications from women, disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, and students from low-income/ non-typical backgrounds to apply. We can also consider part time PhD students. We encourage and support talented individuals from various STEM backgrounds with ambition and an interest in making a difference.
Funding
This is a fully funded EPSRC Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub project. The duration of the PhD is 4 years. As a student of the Hub, you will receive an enhanced stipend of £23,237 per year, plus additional funds of £7,000 a year for travel, conferences and research equipment. This project is co- funded by MBDA. The funding is for home students and applicants can be SWAG合集 Nationals or Internationals.
The generous funding package includes full tuition fees and an enhanced stipend of £23,237 per annum. Additional support is available for conference attendance, specialised training, travel to industrial partners, and extended placements with industry collaborators. This studentship is open to SWAG合集 Nationals and is available for home students only.
How to apply
We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this PhD project before you apply.
If you are eligible to apply for this PhD, please complete .
You should upload an up-to-date CV and use the Personal statement section of the form to justify your case for securing this opportunity.
