rail PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

We have 23 rail PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Understanding the performance benefit of heat-treated premium hypereutectoid grade rail steels for heavy haul railways

University of Sheffield Department of Mechanical Engineering

Project reference code. MEC-02-Tomlinson. Railways offer a relatively environmentally friendly way to transport people and goods across land. Read more

Supervisor: Dr K Tomlinson

24 January 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

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PhD Studentship in Electromagnetic Compatibility for 25kV Rail Systems, funded by Network Rail - (ENG 1864)

University of Nottingham Faculty of Engineering

Electrical System Study and Modelling Based on 25kV Railway AC Electrical System Measurement Data for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). Read more

Supervisors: Dr S Greedy, Dr P Evans

Year round applications PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

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Enhancing bolted joint reliability in rail transport: a novel approach to prevent loosening and improve safety (Ref: RDF24/EE/MCE/JALALI)

Northumbria University Faculty of Engineering and Environment

Bolted joints are widely used in a variety of engineering applications, from aerospace to automotive and transport to energy industries. Read more

Supervisors: Dr H Jalali, Dr H Farokhi

26 January 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

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High speed photography to investigate surface wear and fatigue in railway rail and wheel steels

University of Sheffield Department of Mechanical Engineering

A novel high speed photography technique is being developed at Sheffield which will give new insight to the very earliest stages of railway rail and wheel surface modification during contact. Read more

Supervisor: Prof D Fletcher

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

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Optimised sub-ballast layer to improve the durability of track geometry on poor subgrade

University of Leeds Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Research Group: School of Civil Engineering

Background. It is well established that a stiff sub-ballast layer will increase the durability of track geometry over time. Read more

Supervisor: Dr P Woodward

Open Day(s) 2 February 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

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Using AI to predict the effect of climate change on earthworks

University of Leeds Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Research Group: School of Civil Engineering

Background. Recent experience and future climate projections show increasingly wet winters and increasingly dry summers. The resulting wetting and drying cycles are causing increased shrinkage and swelling of earthworks. Read more

Supervisor: Dr D Connolly

Open Day(s) 2 February 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

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Application of emerging MagLev technologies to radically innovative operational concepts in rail transport

University of Birmingham Department of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering

New developments in Magnetic Levitation (MagLev) technologies have been unlocking new capabilities in railway and other types of guided transport systems. Read more

Supervisor: Dr M Blumenfeld

Year round applications PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

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Effect of sea level rise, coastal erosion, and flooding risk on track

University of Leeds Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Research Group: School of Civil Engineering

Background. With the events at Dawlish and sea water levels at Skegness predicted to rise 35cm by 2050, and coupled with the recent effects of storms such as Babet, coastal issues will become more prevalent in the future. Read more

Supervisor: Dr P Woodward

Open Day(s) 2 February 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

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Structural Health Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance for Ensuring Long-Term Structural Health

University of Edinburgh School of Engineering

Summary. This research proposal addresses the challenges posed by infrastructure in the UK's construction industry, focusing on sustainability and safety. Read more

Supervisor: Dr Y Yardim

31 January 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

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Human factors for digital transport operations

Newcastle University School of Engineering

Transport control environments in rail, highways / cities and ports are now underpinned by a range of digital sensors, and an array of different inputs and outputs (eg CCTV, social media, direct feeds into in-vehicle control systems). Read more

Supervisor: Dr D Golightly

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

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Effect of long wet days and seasons, or intense and heavy rainfall on track, drainage and geotechnical

University of Leeds Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Research Group: School of Civil Engineering

Background. Modelling strongly suggests that these weather effects will become more severe by 2080, particularly instances of Storm Babet and the incident at the Bradway Tunnel highlight this, and the subsequent impact on services/users. Read more

Supervisor: Dr A Heitor

Open Day(s) 2 February 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

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Predictive solutions for electrical erosion wear in rolling element bearings for advanced electric machines

Loughborough University Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering

Highly efficient electrical machine systems (motors and generators) are being rolled out to decarbonise the transport industry (rail, road and air) and automate manufacturing. Read more

Supervisor: Dr N Morris

19 January 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

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Lasers for quantum-enabled position, navigation, and timing technologies

University of Strathclyde Institute of Photonics

Start date. 1 October 2023. Duration. 3.5yrs. Description. National infrastructure systems are dependent upon the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), such that 5 days of outage would cost the UK >£5bn [1]. Read more

Supervisors: Dr J Hastie, Prof A Kemp

15 January 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

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