PhD: Electroactive 4D-Printed Morphing Structures

Emerging Scholars Council; Edinburgh (IN); On-site; USD 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Edinburgh invites applications for a PhD position in electroactive morphing structures, exploring instability‑enabled actuation via 4D‑printing. The project is part of HORUS 4D, a £2.2M consortium across six institutions, and involves design, modelling, fabrication and experimental validation.

Ideal candidates have strong background in mechanical/materials engineering and programming (Python/ Matlab). The position starts September 2026 for three years.

Qualifications

• 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent).
• University English language requirements.
• Home student status with fee + stipend eligibility.
• Tuition fees + stipend available for Home students only; international students not eligible.

Responsibilities

• Develop and test electroactive morphing structures exploiting instabilities.
• Combine design, modelling, fabrication and experiments to derive design principles.
• Characterise actuation and instability behaviour including kinematics and energy landscapes.
• Perform electro-thermal diagnostics and control, including Joule heating strategies.

Skills

FEA modelling

Python/ Matlab

4D printing

SMPs

Education

Mechanical engineering

Aerospace engineering

Civil engineering

Materials science

Mechatronics

Robotics

Applied physics

Job description

University of Edinburgh invites applications for a PhD position in electroactive morphing structures, exploring instability‑enabled actuation via 4D‑printing. The project is part of HORUS 4D, a £2.2M consortium across six institutions, and involves design, modelling, fabrication and experimental validation.

Ideal candidates have strong background in mechanical/materials engineering and programming (Python/ Matlab). The position starts September 2026 for three years.