rail PhD Projects, Programs & Scholarships

Self-Funded PhD Students Only

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

The University of Birmingham, as part of a multi-university multi-disciplinary rail research team, has recently been The University of Birmingham is host…

Blockchains as a Distributed Ledger for Attribution of RCM Data in Rail (B4CM)

University of Birmingham
School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering

Dr J Easton, Prof C Roberts

Applications accepted all year round

Funding Type

PhD Type

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project has funding attached for UK and EU students, though the amount may depend on your nationality. Non-EU students may still be able to apply for the project provided they can find separate funding. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Over the past decade there has been a significant level of investment throughout Europe in the digitalisation of the rail network; with sensors installed on the infrastructure and vehicles, the deployment of next generation traffic management systems that allow real-time management of the system, and the provision of mobile applications for passengers and staff.

Rail Innovators PhD Scholarship

Deakin University
Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI)

Prof D Creighton, Prof CP Lim

Applications accepted all year round

Funding Type

PhD Type

Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

The Institute of Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI) currently offers an industry-funded PhD scholarship to a student who is ready to enrol on a full-time basis for conducting cutting-edge research in the transport/rail sector at Deakin University, together with our industry partner, Downer EDI Rail.

The effects of high-speed rail on innovation and developing inter-connected high-tech science landscape in Taiwan

University of Liverpool
School of Environmental Sciences

Dr C Chen, Dr O Sykes, Dr C Wong, Dr C Li

Application Deadline: 31 December 2019

Funding Type

PhD Type

Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

This PhD research project aims to examine the impacts of high-speed rail (hereafter HSR) on facilitating innovation and unpack the phenomenal clustering of knowledge spill-over across high-tech and knowledge-intensive activities and actors in Taiwan.

PhD Studentship Opportunity in Fatigue Assessment of Riveted Railway Bridges

University of Surrey
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Dr B Imam, Prof M Chryssanthopoulos

Application Deadline: 30 October 2019

Funding Type

PhD Type

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project has funding attached for UK and EU students, though the amount may depend on your nationality. Non-EU students may still be able to apply for the project provided they can find separate funding. You should check the project and department details for more information.

The majority of metallic railway bridges in UK, approximately 10,000 in total, are already exceeding 100 years of age and are approaching the end of their theoretical service life.

PhD Studentship: Digital Twin Technology in Train Servicing and Maintenance

Brunel University London
Mechanical Engineering

Prof M Atherton

Application Deadline: 27 September 2019

Funding Type

PhD Type

Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This research project has funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

Applications are invited for a full time doctoral studentship in the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences on a research project in Digital Twin Technology in Train Servicing funded jointly by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Efficiency Enhancement of Class-A Foams by Means of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles for Self-Organising Swarms of Autonomous UAV to Fight Wildfires

Coventry University
Institute for Future Transport and Cities

Dr M Innocente

Application Deadline: 30 September 2019

Funding Type

PhD Type

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project has funding attached for UK and EU students, though the amount may depend on your nationality. Non-EU students may still be able to apply for the project provided they can find separate funding. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Coventry University has been voted ‘Modern University of the Year’ for three straight years (The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2014−2016) and is ranked in the UK’s top 15 overall for the fifth year in a row (Guardian University Guide).

PhD in Vehicle Integrity Test and Measurement

Cranfield University
School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing (SATM)

Mr M Samie, Prof I jennions

Application Deadline: 21 December 2019

Funding Type

PhD Type

Self-Funded PhD Students Only

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

PhD at the Boeing founded IVHM Centre with the opportunity for a two-year sponsorship from Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A* Star).

PhD Studentship in Mechanical Engineering - Novel Subsurface Inspection Radar to Inspect Tunnels and Tunnels Linings for improved maintenance

Newcastle University
School of Engineering

Prof M Robinson

Application Deadline: 27 September 2019

Funding Type

PhD Type

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project has funding attached for UK and EU students, though the amount may depend on your nationality. Non-EU students may still be able to apply for the project provided they can find separate funding. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Number of awards. 1. Start date and duration. October 2019 for 3 years. Overview. The PhD study is to prepare for commercialisation and demonstration of a novel, portable radar system that provides a simple non-invasive mechanism for inspecting tunnel infrastructure.

Flying Trains: The Potential to Harness Ground Effect Aerodynamics for Ultra-High Speed Trains (Advert Reference: SF18/MCE/LEUNG)

Northumbria University
Faculty of Engineering and Environment

Dr P S (Ken) Leung, Prof R Dominy

Applications accepted all year round

Funding Type

PhD Type

Self-Funded PhD Students Only

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

The ’Flying Train’ concept uses ground effect aerodynamics to provide a transport system with the convenience and capacity of rail but at near-flight velocities.