Multi-sector, industrially focused Engineering Doctorate and PhD opportunities available across a wide range of practical and theoretical projects – variety of locations possible

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantitative NDE is a partnership between a select group of universities and companies offering a 4-year industrial doctorate designed to launch outstanding graduates into an engineering career. We have funded positions available for PhD and EngD - eligible students currently receive tax-free bursaries of over £18,000 per annum, plus industrial top-ups averaging £5000 per annum.

What is NDE?

The use of non-invasive and non-destructive techniques to determine the integrity of a material, component or structure, or measure some quantitative characteristic of an object. Modern society and its 21st century industries need novel non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technologies to meet new and emerging safety, environmental and engineering challenges. Addressing these challenges will involve a diverse range of research areas, including topics such as advanced sensor & and imaging technologies, automation & robotics.

What is an EngD?

A 4-year research degree of equivalent standing to a PhD, and particularly suited to those anticipating choosing a career in industry. Research Engineers are usually based in a company for the majority of their time, where they carry out applied research on one or more topics of interest to the company. During the 4 years, each Research Engineer also spends 6-9 months of advanced technical and professional development courses.

Which company?

Our industrial partners include large end-users such as Airbus, BAE Systems, NNL, EDF, BP, AMEC Foster Wheeler, DSTL and Rolls-Royce together with a range of small, medium and large companies that supply equipment, technology and services to these end-users.

Which university?

Research Engineers are registered with one of our university partners (Bristol, Imperial College London, Manchester, Nottingham, Strathclyde or Warwick). A Research Engineer works under the guidance of both academic and industrial supervisors on useful and challenging projects and towards becoming an established career engineer.

Which projects?

Our project list is updated regularly, see www.rcnde.ac.uk/how-to-apply for the current list. Examples include:

• Advanced ultrasonic phased array inspection for aerospace structures (Airbus & University of Bristol)
• Methods for NDE of key material properties (AMEC Foster Wheeler & University of Manchester)
• Advanced tomographic techniques for inspection of composites (TWI Wales & University of Manchester)
• Development of permanent monitoring techniques (Rolls-Royce & Imperial College)
• NDE materials characterisation for Aero-engine components (Rolls-Royce & Imperial college)
• Ultrasonic array waveguide for live high-temperature inspection (MTC & University of Warwick)
• Pushing the limits of magnetic flux leakage signal evaluation (PII & University of Manchester)
• Monitoring of crack initiation/growth in nuclear components (AMEC Foster Wheeler & University of Manchester)
• Efficient FEA simulation of ultrasonic complex geometry array immersion inspections (BAE Systems & University of Bristol)

Who can apply?

You should have a first or upper second class honours degree in engineering, mathematics or a physical science. EU and UK candidates are eligible for full funding, provided they satisfy academic and UK residency criteria. EU candidates will not be eligible to receive a bursary if they fail the residency criterion.

See EPSRC guidelines: www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/.