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PhD topics for research students

Find below a list of currently available self-funded PhD topics.

We encourage all students to contact the supervisor or the alternative contact person for more information and an informal chat to discuss the process of applying and preparing your research statement. For more information on how to apply click here.

Description
Supervisor
Funding
Study of stray current induced corrosion in railway construction
Railway electrification represents an important carbon strategy in the UK. It is estimated that an electric train consumes at least 20% less power (per passenger per mile) compared to a diesel-powered...
Self Funded
Developing a device for marine life and water quality monitoring
This project offers the right candidate a £5000 bursary contribution in the first year only. Please contact the supervisor for more detail. We have developed a prototype water quality monitoring devic...
Partially Funded
Analytical and numerical modeling of innovative strengthening materials (Fiber Reinforced Polymer and Textile Reinforced Mortar) applied to brittle supports
Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites and Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) materials represent an effective retrofitting strategy for the rehabilitation of masonry and concrete structures. Typicall...
Self Funded
Large Language Models (LLM) for Automated Finite Element Analysis
This is a Self-Funded project - please only apply if you have funding to undertake this project Large Language Models such as Chat GPT3 represent a significant development in artificial intelligence ...
Self Funded
Machine learning for natural language modelling and processing
Text and language processing is of great importance in many applications where an intelligent system is required to understand language and respond to queries. The PhD project will use machine learnin...
Self Funded
Use of Large Language Models (LLM) as a Structural Engineering Design Assistant
This is a self-funded project - please only apply if you have funding to undertake this project Large Language Models such as Chat GPT3 represent a significant development in artificial intelligence ...
Self Funded
Additive manufacturing and sustainability
The Additive Manufacturing and 4D Printing Research group conducts research on novel use of materials, design guidelines and the societal impact of using 3D Printing. This is a self-funded topic and t...
Self Funded
Generative models with diffusion
The powerful engines behind synthetic data generation in AI are diffusion models, aka, stochastic differential equations. A success story that draws a lot of public attention recently is the generatio...
Self Funded
System design to tackle plastic pollution in the plastic-packaging value chain
The PhD project will be linked to the UKRI funded project called PISCES: 'A systems analysis approach to reduce plastic waste in Indonesian societies'. In particular, it will support the 'Design' Work...
Self Funded
Life cycle assessment and circular economy for built environment
Information about the research projects Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has become the standard for environmental performance assessment of the built environment. Currently, a clear and commonly accepted ...
Self Funded