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About the PhD Project
Are you passionate about developing novel research and keen to shape the future of energy transfer technologies in areas such as RF technologies, pulsed power, semiconductor physics, materials science and engineering, and next generation power electronics?
We are recruiting a motivated PhD candidate to undertake an exciting project with funding provided by the EPSRC Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub. As a student of the Hub, you will receive an enhanced stipend of £23,237 per year, plus additional funds of £7,000 a year for travel, conferences and research equipment.
This project is co-funded by MBDA UK Limited and hosted at the University of Bristol. The successful candidate will be based in the Centre for Device Thermography and Reliability (CDTR) and aligned with the REWIRE Innovation and Knowledge Centre.
The studentship will focus on the generation of short, fast rise-time, high-voltage electrical pulses using entirely solid-state means. The aim of the project is to research and develop methods and technology that advance the current state of the art, working towards solutions that can provide suitable output waveform characteristics at a very high repetition rate with low jitter, high efficiency and high reliability.
High performance solid-state pulse generators are creating significant international interest, but few groups have come close to achieving the performance required for the most demanding applications. It is hoped that the progress achieved during the course of this work will support the UK in realising a world-class capability in this technology by developing novel solid-state pulse generation devices using wide and ultra-wide band gap semiconductor materials.
The main objectives of this project are:
· Investigation of existing and novel methods of solid-state pulse generation
· Research into novel semiconductor devices suited to high-voltage pulse generation
· Development of power conversion circuits optimised to drive existing and novel semiconductor devices, to generate appropriate pulses with high efficiency
· Measurement of semiconductor device characteristics and performance of prototype pulse generator circuits
The skills acquired during the studentship will be widely applicable across industrial, medical and defence sectors.
The Hub
The Doctoral Hub specialises in developing research and training the next generation of leaders in energy transfer technologies for defence and related sectors.
The successful candidate will be based in the Centre for Device Thermography and Reliability (CDTR) at the University of Bristol. The CDTR is a world-leading research centre focusing on developing next generation semiconductor electronic devices for net zero, communications and radar technology by improving device thermal management, electrical performance and reliability, using wide and ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors. The PhD is closely aligned with the REWIRE Innovation and Knowledge Centre and will provide the student additional access to the network.
Throughout their PhD will benefit from the support and expertise of our diverse academic community, a community of students working towards similar goals, as well as our specialist industrial network.
Why Join Us?
· Industrial Collaboration: Each PhD student within the Hub is partnered with an industry collaborator, providing placement opportunities to work and train alongside industry experts
· Comprehensive Training: The Hub offers a blend of academic and industrial training, preparing you for diverse career pathways in research or industry
· Cohort Experience: Build your research network through inclusion in a vibrant cohort of PhD students that conduct research with academic leaders across leading UK institutions. Engage in online and face-to-face activities, including cohort-building events and collaborative learning exercises
· Funding: A generous fully funded studentship (no fees and a monthly personal payment) with additional support for conferences, travel, training, consumables and extended placement with industry collaborators.
Key Details
· Host Institution: University of Bristol
· Industry Partner: MBDA UK Limited
· PhD Duration: 4 years
· Start Date: 1st October 2025
· Enhanced stipend of £23,237
The industrial partner, MBDA UK Limited is a leading company in the defence industry, developing cutting-edge solutions that respond to the threats of today and tomorrow by pushing the limits of science, engineering and technology. MBDA UK Limited are exploring collaborative research opportunities with the University of Bristol in solid state pulse generation harnessing wide and ultra-wide band gap semiconductor technologies.
The partner will provide PhD co-supervision, a placement opportunity and be part of the larger Hub community benefiting in the diverse academic and industrial network offered by the Hub.
Please check the hub website for further details.
Eligibility
PhD Candidates must hold a minimum of an upper Second-Class UK Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline.
Candidates must be UK Nationals and be willing to apply for and able to obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.
Before you apply
If you are interested in applying, we strongly recommend that you contact the supervisors for this PhD project.
martin.kuball@bristol.ac.uk, University of Bristol
How to apply
You will need (1) a CV, (2) a Personal Statement, which is a one- to two-page document introducing yourself and outlining your motivation for PhD research, and (3) a transcript of any qualifying degrees (completed and/or underway). You do not need a research proposal, but are encouraged to specify a research theme or academic supervisor. Applicants will be assessed on merit, and interviews will be held for shortlisted applicants. You need to apply through the University of Bristol application system at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/. Please choose “Physics PhD” as course, and mention “High Voltage, High Repetition Rate Pulse Generation” as the corresponding studentship advert and “Martin Kuball” as the contact person.
Please specify “Bristol Physics Research Scholarships” on the application form as your source of potential funding. Early application is encouraged. The closing date for applications is 31 March 2025.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
The Hub is committed to improving diversity within the sector and as such we aim to provide an inclusive environment in which all students can thrive. We particularly encourage applications from women, disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, and students from low-income/ non-typical backgrounds to apply. We can also consider part time PhD students.
The generous funding package includes full tuition fees and an enhanced stipend of £23,237 per annum. Additional support is available for conference attendance, specialised training, travel to industrial partners, and extended placements with industry collaborators. This studentship is open to UK Nationals and is available for home students only.
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