PhD Studentship: Developing New High-Performance Alloys for Gas Turbine Applications

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full funding for 4 years

Rolls-Royce top-up £5,500 per year

Fees: home or eligible international

Job summary

The PhD studentship at the University of Cambridge, in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, aims to develop new polycrystalline nickel-based superalloys for future gas turbine discs. The project is funded by EPSRC and Rolls-Royce plc and includes training across computational and experimental methods.

Applicants should hold a UK Master’s degree (or overseas equivalent) in a relevant science subject and be self-motivated with strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Good UK Master’s degree or overseas equivalent in a relevant science subject (Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering).
• Self-motivated with the ability to take ownership and communicate findings.
• Training in computational and experimental methods will be provided; prior experience is advantageous.
• Applications via University Portal with closing date 1 December 2026.

Responsibilities

• Develop new polycrystalline nickel-based superalloys for disc rotor components.
• Design alloy compositions using computational thermodynamics and ML techniques.
• Prototype alloys by arc melting and characterise by EM, XRD, thermal analysis and mechanical tests.
• Scale up selected compositions via ingot and powder metallurgy and assess properties.

Skills

Self-motivated

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in Materials Science/related field

Job description

Funder: EPSRC and Rolls-Royce plcDuration: 4 years from 1 October 2027Supervisors: Prof Howard Stone and Dr George WiseLocation: The PhD studentship will be based at the University of Cambridge in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy as part of the Structural Materials Group. The Structural Materials Group is a diverse and dynamic research team working across aerospace, automotive, energy, defence, and biomedical sectors. The group's expertise includes alloy design, microstructure-property relationships, phase transformations, and advanced materials processing.Closing date for applications: 1 Dec 2026 with interviews shortly afterwards.Stipend: Full funding for 4 years covering a personal maintenance stipend starting at £22,437 (current rate) per annum with a top up of £5,500 per annum from Rolls-Royce plc.Fees: These positions are open to UK citizens or overseas students who meet the UK residency requirements (home fees) or are able to augment the funds to cover the extra costs associated with international student fees. Exceptional overseas candidates may be eligible for an International Doctoral Scholar award.Developing New High-Performance Alloys for Gas Turbine ApplicationsThe drive to improve efficiency and reduce emissions from civil aviation is motivating considerable international research to develop new gas turbine technologies. One approach by which this can be achieved is through designing engines capable of operating under more aggressive conditions of temperature and stress. This is necessitating the development of new materials capable of tolerating these environments. This project will seek to develop new polycrystalline nickel-based superalloys for disc rotor components in future engines in close collaboration with Rolls-Royce plc. The research will involve design of new alloy compositions using computational thermodynamics and machine learning before validation through detailed investigation of experimentally produced material. Prototype alloys will be produced by arc melting before characterisation using a range of techniques including electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and mechanical testing. Once promising compositions have been identified, larger quantities of material will be prepared through both ingot and powder metallurgy routes before detailed characterisation of their propertiesApplicants should have (or expect to be awarded) a good UK Master's degree (or overseas equivalent) in a relevant science subject (Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering) and should be self-motivated, able to take ownership of their research, and effectively communicate their research findings. Training in all the computational and experimental methods will be provided in the projects, although relevant previous experience would be advantageous.Applications for the PhD projects should be submitted via the University Application Portal: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply. Early applications are encouraged as the positions may be filled once suitable candidates are identified.For further details on postgraduate study at Cambridge, visit the University website. Informal enquiries can be sent to [e-mail] quote reference LJ51571 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.