PhD Position in Materials Engineering

Polytechnicpositions; Rugby, Nottingham; On-site; GBP 2,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution is offering a fully funded 3-year PhD studentship focusing on innovative laser processing technologies. The candidate will gain hands-on experience in designing a co-axial water-mist nozzle and integrating it into experimental setups. Suitable for UK home students with strong engineering backgrounds, this role provides opportunities for high-impact publications and global conference presentations.

Benefits

£2,000 per year for consumables, travel, and expenses

Training in scientific communication and career development

Qualifications

• A 1st or high 2:1 undergraduate degree or MSc with merit/distinction.
• Strong motivation and curiosity in advanced laser processing technologies.
• Open to UK home students only.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop a novel co-axial water-mist nozzle for high-power laser applications.
• Integrate the nozzle into an experimental test rig and evaluate performance.
• Apply AI and Machine Learning techniques to analyze and optimize nozzle design.

Skills

Enthusiastic

Self-motivated

Curiosity about advanced laser processing technologies

Education

1st or high 2:1 undergraduate degree, or MSc with merit/distinction in Engineering or Physical Sciences

Job description

Area: Engineering

Location: University of Nottingham, UK / Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), UK

Reference: ENG282

Closing Date: Thursday, 01 January 2026

Proposed Start Date: 1st December 2025

Contact:

This 3-year fully funded PhD studentship offers industrially linked research in partnership with the Laser Processing Group at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and is hosted within the Advanced Materials Research Group (AMRG) at the University of Nottingham. The AMRG conducts cutting-edge research into next-generation manufacturing technologies for advanced materials.

The project focuses on the design, simulation, prototyping, and experimentation of an innovative co-axial water-mist-assisted high-power laser processing system. By leveraging the cooling effects of a controlled mist film, this approach aims to minimize thermally induced damage, enabling efficient processing of advanced materials such as ceramics, composites, and coated alloys.

Project Motivation and Aim

Laser-based manufacturing is widely used across industries, from motorsports to aerospace. Current high-power laser technologies struggle with advanced materials due to low thermal conductivity and internal interfaces, which can lead to thermal damage.

This studentship will:

• Design and develop a novel co-axial water-mist nozzle for high-power laser applications
• Integrate the nozzle into an experimental test rig and evaluate performance on challenging materials
• Apply Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques to analyse experimental data and optimise nozzle design

The project offers opportunities for high-impact publications and international conference presentations, providing strong industrial and academic exposure.

Student Experience

PhD candidates will work closely with academics at the University of Nottingham and the Laser Processing Group at the MTC, gaining:

• Real-world industrial experience and exposure to the workplace culture at MTC
• Access to state-of-the-art materials characterisation facilities
• Training in scientific communication, networking, and career development
• Open to UK home students only
• £2,000 per year for consumables, travel, and other expenses
• Candidates must pass MTC security checks before starting

Candidate Requirements

• A 1st or high 2:1 undergraduate degree, or MSc with merit/distinction, in Engineering, Physical Sciences, or a related discipline
• Enthusiastic, self-motivated, and curious about advanced laser processing technologies
• The University of Nottingham actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

In your application, please refer to Polytechnicpositions.com