EPSRC CDT in Developing National Capability for Materials 4.0, with the Henry Royce Institute

Right now, our society faces huge, urgent challenges. From the imperative to achieve net-zero, to the need to build a resilient, circular economy in an uncertain world, to the drive for increased productivity as our fellow nations embrace the digital revolution.

To tackle these challenges, we need new materials and new materials systems, and we need them fast. But it can take 20 years to develop a new material with current methods. We need to innovate faster, as the pace of global change accelerates.

This is where you come in! We are seeking graduate scientists and engineers keen to acquire new skills and work in new ways, to help us realise the potential of the digital and data revolutions in materials science. This is Materials 4.0. You will:

• Start your PhD from day 1.
• Receive full funding for tuition fees and a competitive stipend.
• Have a home in one of seven leading UK research universities and undertake a research project supervised by a leading researcher and with an industry sponsor.
• Join a community of like-minded PhD researchers as part of a new initiative in Materials 4.0, led by the Henry Royce Institute, the UK’s national institute for advanced materials research.
• Be trained in all aspects of digital materials science, including robotics, data science, machine learning, and sensing and control.
• Become a pioneer and leader in this exciting new way of doing science.

We have a range of exciting doctoral projects, involving all aspects of Materials 4.0, and offer flexible and inclusive pathways, including part-time study and the opportunity to study whilst at work if sponsored by your employer.

Join the digital revolution in materials science!

PhD projects for cohort 2 (to start in 2025) will be announced in December 2024. If you are interested in joining, please sign up to our mailing list. As soon as the PhD projects are announced, we will inform the mailing list and update this Find a PhD website with the project details.

Being a multi-institutional CDT, we do not have fixed application deadlines: you will need to apply to the institution hosting the PhD project you are interested in, follow their specific admissions process and fulfil their local entry requirements. Although local requirements might be stricter, we are looking for graduates who have, or are about to get, at least a 2:1 (or equivalent) on a STEM undergraduate degree.

We welcome applications from overseas candidates, but please note that only 30% of our student body can be from outside the UK; early applications from these candidates are strongly encouraged, in order to allow sufficient time for immigration requirements to be satisfied. Applications from female candidates are strongly encouraged.

Any further enquiries can be sent to doctoral-training@royce.ac.uk.