Summary
The University of Manchester is offering a fully funded 3.5-year PhD position within the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. This project focuses on understanding how manufacturing-induced defects affect the performance of fibre-reinforced polymer composites using advanced computational mechanics and physics-informed machine learning.
PhD Scholarship in Computational Mechanics and Data-Driven Modelling of Composite Materials – University of Manchester
Designation
PhD Research Student
Research Area
Computational Mechanics, Data-Driven Modelling, and Composite Materials.
Location
Manchester, United Kingdom
Eligibility/Qualification
- Academic Requirements: Candidates should hold, or expect to obtain, at least a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in at least one of the following: Finite Element Modelling (e.g., Abaqus, Ansys, COMSOL), Deep learning-based approaches, or Programming (Python or MATLAB).
- Desirable Background: Interest in mechanics of composites, multiphase materials, or data-driven modelling.
- Personal Attributes: Enthusiastic, self-motivated, and a strong communicator.
Job Description
The successful candidate will develop expertise in nonlinear finite element analysis and data-driven modelling. The research will involve building on in-house computational frameworks to incorporate large-scale composite microstructures into mechanistic models. The scope of the project includes:
- Defect-informed damage modelling: Investigating the influence of real microscopic defects on damage initiation and composite performance.
- Physics-informed machine learning: Developing data-driven methods that respect underlying mechanics to accelerate property predictions.
- Multiscale modelling: Creating frameworks that capture interactions between constituent-level and ply-level behaviours across length scales.
Researchers will have access to world-class facilities at the University of Manchester and the Henry Royce Institute, while participating in a collaboration network including Imperial College London and the University of Bristol.
Funding and Benefits
- Stipend: An annual tax-free stipend of £21,805 (UKRI rate for 2026/27), expected to increase annually.
- Tuition Fees: Fees will be fully paid for eligible Home students.
- International Students: International applicants are welcome if they hold or intend to apply for external funding.
- Duration: 3.5 years.
How to Apply
For informal enquiries or to apply, please contact Dr Dimitrios Bikos at dimitrios.bikos@manchester.ac.uk. Applicants should include:
- A comprehensive CV.
- Details of current studies and academic background.
- A summary of relevant experience.
- A funding plan (for international candidates).
Last Date for Apply
21st December 2026
Apply Link
View Official Scholarship Posting
