PhD Studentship: Multiscale Optimisation of Aperiodic Lattice Metamaterials for Spatially-programmable Printed Structures

The University of Manchester; Manchester; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

1000scholars is sponsoring a 3.5-year PhD in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. UK-based students will receive a tax-free stipend of £20,780 plus tuition fees for 2025/2026.

The project targets aperiodic lattice metamaterials, combining physics-based modelling with machine learning to enable design in vast microarchitectural spaces. Applicants should hold at least a 2.1 honours degree (or MSc) in a relevant science or engineering field and be prepared to work at the

Qualifications

• At least a 2.1 honours degree or a master's (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline.

Responsibilities

• Develop multiscale optimisation tools for aperiodic lattice metamaterials.
• Integrate physics-based modelling with machine learning for design exploration.
• Collaborate with team to advance computational mechanics and data-driven surrogate modelling.

Skills

Multiscale optimisation

Physics-based modelling

Machine learning

Computational design

Education

2.1 honours or MSc in a relevant science/engineering field

Job description

Application deadline: All year round

This 3.5 year PhD is funded by the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and is available to UK-based students. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax free stipend set at the UKRI amount (£20,780 + Tuition fees for the 2025/2026 academic year).

The design of next-generation engineering materials is undergoing a paradigm shift, driven by advances in additive manufacturing and computational design. Architected lattice metamaterials-structures whose properties arise from geometry rather than composition-offer unprecedented opportunities to create lightweight, high-performance systems with tailored mechanical and thermal behaviour. To date, however, most design frameworks rely on periodic unit cells, limiting the achievable performance, adaptability, and robustness of these materials. Emerging evidence suggests that aperiodic lattices-ordered yet non-repeating structures inspired by quasiperiodic tilings-can exhibit near-isotropic behaviour, enhanced damage tolerance, and superior performance under complex and uncertain loading conditions.

This PhD project aims to surpass conventional periodic design by developing a new generation of multiscale optimisation tools for aperiodic lattice metamaterials. The research will integrate physics-based modelling with machine learning to enable the efficient exploration of vast design spaces defined by microarchitectures based on the mathematics of aperiodic order. By combining computational mechanics, data-driven surrogate modelling, and advanced manufacturing, the project will establish new principles for designing materials with spatially programmable properties. The successful candidate will join a rapidly evolving research area at the intersection of structural optimisation, materials, and artificial intelligence. This is an opportunity to contribute to world-class research with the potential to transform how materials are designed for applications ranging from aerospace and energy to biomedical engineering. The project is particularly suited to candidates motivated by fundamental challenges and eager to develop innovative solutions with real-world impact.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master's (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.