PhD scholarships for industrial collaborative PhD projects starting October 2021-2022
The SME doctoral training network brings together PhD researchers, academics and industrial scientists and engineers to focus on collaborative research projects which are directly applicable to industrial challenges.
See below for details of our 9 amazing and innovative projects underway:
University of Surrey and Addionics Ltd, 2nd Project: Sustainable manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries by dry coating of solvent-free electrodes. To develop dry coating methods, to enable solvent-free electrode processing, for sustainable manufacturing of LIBs, to drive the cost reduction of LIBs. The project will combine experimental and computational approaches to develop novel dry coating process, understand how the dry coating process affect the properties and performances of the electrodes, and optimize the dry coating parameters to achieve high performance LIBs. Apply here by 24 October 2023.
University of Sussex and DSTL: Hybrid quantum communication and sensing networks. To investigate the theory of quantum communication and sensing networks. Apply here by 31 October 2023.
University of Surrey and GlaxoSmithKline: Mathematical models for preclinical drug trials: small molecule drugs and antibody drug conjugates. Preclinical evaluation of drug efficacy plays a fundamental role in the development of cancer treatments. Fundamental to these preclinical studies is the use of mathematical models to describe the tumour dynamics and evaluate the anti-tumour effect. These models typically are simple growth laws based on empirical descriptions of the data then combined with larger systems of equations describing the drug action. The challenge is to develop better mechanistic models for cancer growth that account for spatial complexity while still being fit-for-purpose in an industrial context. The collaboration has generated a mechanistic model for small molecule drugs now being implemented at GSK. We will develop this model to explore optimal dosing protocols and to incorporate pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic descriptions. A key focus are new treatments, Antibody Drug Conjugates, for which spatially resolved models are particularly needed. Contact Dr Carina Dunlop at the University of Surrey. Deadline to apply 31 October 2023.
University of Sussex and Advanced Materials Development: Functional Nanomaterials Inks: The development of scalable ink production processes for functional nanomaterials; Characterisation of printed films & functional nanomaterials and Integration of printed nanomaterials films within device structures. This studentship has now been filled and the start date is January 2023.
University of Surrey and Addionics, 1st Project: Sustainable manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries by dry coating of solvent-free electrodes. To develop dry coating methods, to enable solvent-free electrode processing, for sustainable manufacturing of LIBs, to drive the cost reduction of LIBs. The project will combine experimental and computational approaches to develop novel dry coating process, understand how the dry coating process affect the properties and performances of the electrodes, and optimize the dry coating parameters to achieve high performance LIBs. This studentship has now been filled (October 2022).
Materials Physics Group, University of Sussex, Advanced Material Development and Rapiscan: Ceramic Based Conducting Composites and Coatings to Eliminate Detrimental Charging During X-Ray Bombardment. The project will develop both coatings and composites with adjustable electrical and thermal conductivities. Structure property relationships will be analysed using a range of techniques including photoelectron spectroscopy, mechanical spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The materials robustness to X-ray exposure will be tested as a function nanoparticle inclusion. Prototype structures will be fabricated and tested. This studentship has now been filled (April 2022).
University of Hertfordshire and 3-Sci EngD Project: The development of a portfolio of distributed condition management sensors for wind turbines and carbon storage infrastructure. This studentship has now been filled (April 2022).
University of Kent and Body Rocket: Machine learning for optimisation of cycling performance using real-time aerodynamics. The project aims to develop machine learning algorithms for real-time monitoring of aero dynamic drag, allowing cyclists to adjust their on-bike position dynamically for optimal performance. This studentship has now been filled (April 2022).
University of Surrey, Leo Cancer Care and NPL: To develop a quantitative rationale for frequency & tolerance of QA programmes for current & state-of-the-art radiotherapy delivery technologies, requiring the development of innovative methodologies to quantify the effect of tolerance levels & to assess clinical impact & patient outcomes. This studentship has now been filled (October 2021).