4 Years fully funded PhD in Ultra Precision Engineering at Cranfield University
(Cranfield main campus)

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Ultra Precision Engineering is currently recruiting motivated postgraduate students interested in designing and advancing the ultra-precision manufacturing technologies on strong footings of materials science/surface engineering/nanotechnology.

The aim of this programme is to develop employable skills required in the modern manufacturing or nanotechnology landscape. This is including ultra-high precision manufacturing, in-process metrology, optomechanical engineering, precision laser processing; focused ion beam processing, surface engineering, advanced functional coatings and hybrid micromachining technologies using cutting edge simulations and experiments.

Course overview

The 4-year long programme is structured in two phases; offering one-year taught programmes co-organised with University of Cambridge and National Physical laboratory via class room lectures and hand-on trainings on state-of-the-art equipment’s followed by three years of intense independent research.

The first year comprises of taught modules, laboratory modules, and a research project. Taught module is focused on developing scientific, engineering and transferable skills. Presentation skills, writing skills, entrepreneurial talks and conference organising are complementary activities that enhance the academic experience. As part of this programme, the conference visit to selected International destinations are complimentarily provided free of charge to the home students.

Previous graduates have developed skills in the areas of manufacturing engineering; laser processes; materials science; atomic simulations and finite element analysis of complex manufacturing processes; and machine design. During their PhD many students will be offered the opportunity to work alongside industrial partners allowing them to gain valuable industrial experience whilst receiving an additional maintenance top-up, bringing their stipend up to a possible tax free yearly stipend of £19,000 pa.

Requirements

We encourage motivated applicants from any field of science or engineering who have obtained a first or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent). They are expected to be good communicator, independent and should possess an innovative approach to problem solving.

Funding

Full EPSRC funding (currently £14,553 student bursary per year + tuition fees), with additional payments from industrial sponsors is available which makes the total bursary up to £19,000 pa (tax free) during the three years of PhD. Both UK students and EU students who have settled status in the UK and have been resident in the UK full-time for 3 years prior to October 2018 are eligible for the award.

Please check your eligibility following this link EPSRC.

We are unable to offer funded placements to International students from overseas, although we strongly recommend them to apply if they are self-funded or applying for scholarships from their home country

Application

We recommend applicants email their CV for consideration before applying. Once the CV is viewed and the student profile is considered suitable for the course then the student must formally apply. There are limited places on the course so we highly recommend those interested to apply as soon as possible.

For more information please contact the course office:
CDTUP-enquiries@eng.cam.ac.uk or s.goel@cranfield.ac.uk

or access the centre website at:
www.CDT-UP.eng.cam.ac.uk