PhD Studentship: Research Studentship in Engineering Design for the Circular Economy

3.5-year D.Phil. studentship 

Project: Building a digital Circular Economy

Supervisors: Prof Lucia Corsini  

The DPhil student will contribute to the Circular Electricals and Electronics Project, which seeks to enable a low-carbon, Circular Economy (CE) for Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE).

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment is now the fastest growing waste stream in the UK and globally. There is significant interest in how emerging and digital technologies (e.g. Internet of Things, 3D printing) could help to enable a CE, both from industry and policy makers at a national and international level. However, there is limited understanding about how such digital technologies could be applied to boost the CE, especially in the EEE sector.

The DPhil student will contribute to activities in WP 5, which will systematically examine potential threats, opportunities, and likely future developments related to a digitally-enabled CE for EEE. They will develop a range of engineering design solutions that use digital technologies to enable a CE for EEE. Based on the technology horizon scan and an initial feasibility study, they will select a digital technology to design and prototype innovative applications that demonstrate how the project partners could apply the selected technology. For example, 3D printing could be used to improve the repair of electricals, or digital tagging technologies such as QR codes could be used to increase the traceability of electronics across the value chain. These solutions will be iteratively developed and tested with project partner feedback, and future pathways for implementation will be identified.

Eligibility

This studentship is funded through by the Department of Engineering Science and is open to Home and Overseas students (full award – fees plus stipend).

Award Value

Course fees are covered for Home and overseas students. The stipend (tax-free maintenance grant) is c. £19,237 p.a. for the first year, and at least this amount for a further two and a half years. 

Candidate Requirements

Prospective candidates will be judged according to how well they meet the following criteria:

• A first class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent) in Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated skills and experience developing Engineering Design solutions
• Excellent English written and spoken communication skills

The following skills and experience are desirable but not essential:

• Experience prototyping with digital technologies
• Experience developing engineering design solutions that embed digital technologies
• Experience contributing to academic research projects
• Engaging and collaborating with industry partners
• Confidence presenting research findings to relevant stakeholders
• Enthusiasm to work on Circular Economy solutions

Application Procedure

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be addressed to Prof Lucia Corsini (lucia.corsini@eng.ox.ac.uk).

Candidates must submit a graduate application form and are expected to meet the graduate admissions criteria. Details are available on the course page of the University website.

Please quote 25ENGEL_LC in all correspondence and in your graduate application.

Application deadline: noon on 1 December 2023 (In line with the University admissions deadline set by the University)

Start date: October 2025

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