EngD in Composites Manufacture - Centre for Doctoral Training in Innovation for Sustainable Composites Engineering

Funding for: Home/permanent UK residents subject to security clearance

Contract duration 4 years

Start date: September 2025

The project:

Ultra-efficient production lines for expanding wind capacity sponsored by National Composites Centre (NCC) (Supervisor: Dr James Kratz)

If the forecasts and projections are to be believed, using current methods, it will not be possible to produce wind turbines in the quantities required by 2030. The current manufacturing approach uses large-scale resin infusion, but the designs of these products, and the factories that they are made in, are not configured for cost-efficient ultra-high-rate production. This puts the clean energy targets at risk. The EngD project will:

• Investigate existing wind turbine design and explore alternative designs for their energy return and changes to the manufacturing approach.
• Consider new design approaches including modularity, tooling, digitalisation and automation.

• Develop a system for reviewing concept against a range of to-be-set criteria
• Excite your interest in creating new methodologies for sustainable energy and the technologies critical for enabling alternative designs

• Be part of a large cohort of EngD CDT students that conduct their research at NCC and offer benefit from conducting research in an organisation that supports the entire UK composites sector.

How to apply:

To apply please submit a personal statement, outlining your experience and why you are interested in the PhD project, your CV and transcript of results to www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply. Please do not submit a project description; this is unnecessary as the project is already defined. Please select EngD in Composites Manufacture and enter Professor Janice Barton the Director of the CDT as the 2^nd supervisor (janice.barton@bristol.ac.uk)

Candidate requirements: Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum a 2:1 MEng or merit at Masters level or equivalent in engineering, physics or chemistry. Applicants without a master's qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a first-class undergraduate degree. Please note, acceptance will also depend on evidence of readiness to pursue a research degree and performance at interview.

Funding: An enhanced stipend of £25,789 (based on UKRI 2024/25 rate), a fee waiver and generous research financial support for the successful candidates.

Contact: isce-cdt@bristol.ac.uk

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