Metallurgy PhD

Metallurgical research at the Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification (BCAST) is at the forefront of the field, making it one of the most prominent and influential groups globally. Our primary focus is on the science and engineering of metallic materials. This encompasses a wide range of areas, such as liquid metal engineering, thermomechanical processing, alloy development, and the application of high-performance engineering alloys to promote sustainability in the metal industry, thus safeguarding our environment.

Our overarching vision is to achieve 'full metal circulation,' a world where the demand for metallic materials is primarily met through recycling and reusing secondary metals, with only minimal production of primary metals each year. This vision forms the foundation of our research approach, which spans from fundamental investigations at the atomic level, including microstructural control during solidification and solid-state transformation, to the development of novel metallic materials through the creation of innovative alloys with enhanced properties that can be fully recycled.

Our technology development efforts are more practical, involving the production of high-performance metallic components and feedstock materials through cutting-edge solidification and thermomechanical processing techniques. Additionally, we collaborate closely with industrial partners across the supply chain to scale up and implement new technologies while emphasising sustainable metallurgical practices. These studies are distinctly geared toward practical application.

Our researchers create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Find out more about working with the Supervisory Team.

You are welcome to approach your potential supervisor directly to discuss your research interests. Search for expert supervisors for your chosen field of research.

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Find out about what progress might look like at each stage of study here: Research degree progress structure.

Research support

Excellent research support and training

The Graduate School provides a range of personal, professional and career development opportunities. This includes workshops, online training, coaching and events, to enable you to enhance your professional profile, refine your skills, and plan your next career steps as part of the Researcher Development Programme. The researcher development programme (RDP) offers workshops and seminars in a range of areas including progression, research management, research dissemination, and careers and personal development. You will also be offered a number of online, self-study courses on BBL, including Research Integrity, Research Skills Toolkit, Research Methods in Literature Review and Principles of Research Methods.

Library services

Brunel's Library is open 24 hours a day, has 400,000 books and 250,000 ebooks, and an annual budget of almost £2m. Subject information Specialists train students in the latest technology, digital literacy, and digital dissemination of scholarly outputs. As well as the physical resources available in the Library, we also provide access to a wealth of electronic resources. These include databases, journals and e-books. Access to these resources has been bought by the Library through subscription and is limited to current staff and students.

Dedicated research support staff provide guidance and training on open access, research data management, copyright and other research integrity issues.

Find out more: Brunel Library

You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. We encourage you to actively engage in career planning and managing your personal development right from the start of your research, even (or perhaps especially) if you don't yet have a career path in mind. Our careers provision includes online information and advice, one-to-one consultations and a range of events and workshops. The Professional Development Centre runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year. These include industry insight sessions, recruitment fairs, employer pop-ups and skills workshops.

In addition, where available, you may be able to undertake some paid work as we recognise that teaching and learning support duties represent an important professional and career development opportunity.

Find out more.