Current research degree projects
Explore our current postgraduate research degree and PhD opportunities.
299 research degree projects
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Electronics and computer science
Novel applications of remote sensing for health
Experience the cutting edge of unobtrusive remote sensing and its integration into our daily lives. Remote sensing is increasingly being applied in the context of smart homes and health monitoring, such as in camera-based systems. If you'd like to further develop your expertise in signal processing, machine learning, or computer vision applied to healthcare, and aspire to embed security by design in non-intrusive solutions, we can support you in your journey. -
Physics and astronomy | Engineering
Swim like a whale: underwater propulsion at high Reynolds numbers
This exciting experimental project aims to characterize the performance metrics and the flow over hydrofoils in canonical oscillatory motions at high Reynolds numbers. The work requires detailed flow diagnostics and the use of direct force/pressure measurement techniques. -
Physics and astronomy | Electronics and computer science | Photonics and optoelectronics
Mimicking quantum phenomena on a silicon metasurface for automotive LiDAR
This PhD project intends to develop a novel automotive LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor, by using optical nanostructures to mimic the quantum phenomenon of “bound states in the continuum”. It aims to enhance driving safety and efficiency, contributing to the advancement of fully autonomous driving. -
Physics and astronomy
Space-Time-varying superconducting surfaces for enhanced efficiency quantum computing and quantum wave processing applications
This groundbreaking research project is dedicated to advancing the field of wave engineering and transformation within superconducting quantum computers and quantum processors. The focal point of our investigation lies in the exploration of space-time-varying superconducting metasurfaces, aiming to push the boundaries of next-generation quantum computing. -
Engineering
Investigation of green bipropellant chemical propulsion systems
The key aim of this PhD is to investigate ionic liquid-based fuel and oxidiser propellants in a green bipropellant rocket engine. This will involve theoretical analysis and simulation of the complex combustion chemistry that will occur in such a thruster, and the experimental design and testing of such a large bipropellant rocket. -
Physics and astronomy
Quantum control with quantum fields
In this PhD project, you will build on this mathematical framework to develop practical mathematical and/or computational techniques for analysing the effects of field quantisation on quantum control. This work will have applications in superconducting circuit QED, the basis of many leading quantum technology platforms including IBM’s cloud-accessible quantum processors. -
Biological sciences
Deciphering the mechanistic drivers of plant-microbe feedback
Microbial relationships with plants are vital for healthy plant functioning and plants can influence microbiomes through exudation. However, we understand little about how microbiomes form on plant roots and how plants can directly influence microbial recruitment. In this project, you will explore how exudates can shape microbial relationships and functions with plants and in soil. You will also study how those exudates can mediate microbe-microbe interactions. You will have the opportunity to work with plants, soil, and microbes. You will gain experience working in the laboratory and with large datasets (microbiome, metabolomics, and whole genome sequencing). -
Biological sciences
Molecular basis and ecological significance of Saccharomyces wine yeast interactions with microbes, plants and insects
Saccharomyces yeast is an outstanding model eukaryote for research and a workhorse of fermentations. We will use advanced techniques in microbiology, genetics, ecology and analytical chemistry to deepen our understanding of yeast’s coevolution and interactions with other organisms, how it benefits from these, and how it could be tailored for various bioprocesses. -
Chemistry | Medicine | Biological sciences | Health sciences
Early detection and stratification of dementia using transformative non-invasive holistic optical biomarker technology in biofluids
Globally, there is a growing and a huge unmet need for tools and technologies that allow rapid, affordable and accurate dementia diagnosis. Overlapping symptoms and natural changes make this challenging. In this project, we will build on the promising preliminary results with our new multi-excitation Raman spectroscopy (MX-Raman) method. -
Electronics and computer science
Harnessing waste-heat from challenging environments with flexible electronics (sponsored by BAE Systems)
This PhD is a sought after industrial Cooperative Award in Science and Technology (iCASE), with sponsorship from BAE Systems Ltd. This PhD will develop advanced materials and turn these into thermoelectric energy harvesters. These harvesters will be integrated into clothing as wearable tech, scavenging our very own body temperature as the energy source.