Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering PGRTAs: Enhanced PhD Studentships

The Department is seeking to make appointments in the following areas aligned to strategic research and teaching priorities:

• Design with a focus on space engineering.
• Digital manufacturing, sustainable manufacturing, laser engineering and robotics.
• Physics of materials, structures and dynamics, biomechanics, welding and structural performance.
• Nuclear fission, fusion, nuclear fuels and graphite and nuclear policy.
• Nuclear thermal hydraulics, solar energy, zero carbon systems, energy storage and bio-medical engineering.

• Submitted an application by the deadline for a PhD programme by the published deadline or be registered on a PhD programme already.
• Eligible for admission to a PhD programme in a relevant Engineering discipline.
• Strong academic background in an area relevant to the PhD topic (normally holding, as a minimum, a 2:1 honours undergraduate degree or equivalent).
• Demonstrated research potential.
• Interest in teaching and student support.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Applicants must hold the right to work in the UK to undertake this appointment.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are fundamental to our success, and are at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact. Therefore, we actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

We also support applications from those returning from a career break/other roles, or with caring responsibilities, and always consider flexible study arrangements. All appointments are made on merit.

To be considered for this scholarship, you need to hold an offer for a place on one of our PhD programmes.

Choose your research project

You are invited to contact a member of staff in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering to propose a PhD project from one of the research areas listed above.

This scholarship works on a nomination basis so it’s important you make sure you have had significant contact with your nominated supervisory team during the application process and that they are aware that you wish to be considered for funding.

Complete your application prior to the advertised funding deadline (see key dates below). Specify in the funding section of your PhD application form that you wish to be considered for the PGR Teaching Associate Scholarship.

Include a written statement explaining why you’re interested in a combined research and teaching PhD, and how you match the criteria listed above.

Your lead supervisor will then nominate candidates for consideration by the Faculty and, if nominated, you will then be invited to an interview.

Teaching enquiries

If you wish to discuss the teaching aspects of this role, please contact Dr Ajay Harish and Dr Georgios Fourtakas.

Applications that will be considered for this opportunity need to be submitted by the 24 July 2026.