Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland is inviting online applications for multiple funded PhD programs across various research areas in engineering and technology and materials science. Interested and eligible candidates can apply via the University’s Online Application Portal. See below the available positions.
1.Fully Funded PhD Position in Quantum information encoding, manipulation, transmission, and detection rely on ‘quantum emitters
Description:
This PhD project aims to harness the capabilities of solid-state emitters for integration with photonic devices and connecting them through an optical channel known as a waveguide. When coupled with the waveguide, emitters can interact with guided electromagnetic modes, exchanging energy and information. The term ‘cooperativity’ signifies the extent of their interaction with the guided mode and the mode’s capability to mediate interactions between distant individual emitters [1-3]. The research objective is to investigate the degree to which cooperative interactions among waveguide-coupled emitters enable them to withstand external decoherence effects in solid-state hosts.
Application Deadline: 30 June 2024
2.Fully Funded PhD Position in Mathematics and Physics
Description:
DES is commonly used at a strategic level for decision-making in emergency departments (medium- or long-term planning horizon, typically months or years). This project will investigate the development of a DES at the operational level (short-term, typically on a timescale of days or weeks ("offline-operational") or in real-time ("online-operational")) . This PhD will focus on developing novel methodology to update a DES using real-time data and deploy scenario analysis for operational decision-making. A strong background in Mathematics is required for this project. Experience with simulation and Python will be considered an advantage.
Application Deadline: 30 June 2024
3.Fully Funded PhD Position in TRUSTWORTHY AI FOR SECURE FUTURE OPEN NETWORKS
Description:
In space communication infrastructures (satellite/UAV/High-altitude platform systems) there can be a wide variety of open integration options with terrestrial network platforms, introducing distinct research challenges in performance, energy efficiency and security and privacy in different scenarios. Network resources provided by global satellite communication systems can be simultaneously shared by multiple regional terrestrial networks, and hence, a PhD project on this topic will address key research questions on how we can engineer novel secure/resilient and high performing solutions against potential attacks whilst optimizing the system performance.
Application Deadline: 30 June 2024
4.Fully Funded PhD Position in BENCHMARKING SOCIAL VALUE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
Description:
The primary focus of social value initiatives in the field of engineering has mostly centred on promoting inclusivity within the internal composition of the workforce. Nevertheless, there remains a noticeable deficiency in effectively addressing the issue of fair inclusion for external stakeholders in the context of infrastructure design and execution. A comprehensive examination is warranted to address the identified deficiency. Building on prior exploratory efforts, the aim of this PhD is to establish a robust and scholarly theoretical foundation for enhancing community engagement for infrastructure projects. This foundational work will propose a new theory, insights from complex social networks, and cross-disciplinary knowledge to develop a formidable theoretical framework for understanding and enhancement of community engagement dynamics.
Application Deadline: 30 June 2024
5.Fully Funded PhD Position in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Description:
This project offers a unique opportunity for a highly motivated PhD student with an engineering background to contribute to the development of a novel biological implants with the potential to improve the lives of countless individuals suffering from joint defects or degeneration and its debilitating consequences. This PhD project aims to develop bioresorbable implants for regenerating damaged articular cartilage in the knee joint. The project will employ a unique combination of advanced polymers (bio), 3D printing technique such as Melt Electro-Writing (MEW) for creating highly organized scaffolds, and finite element analysis (FEA) for computational optimization. This is a follow-up project for the current North-South research grant in collaboration between QUB and Trinity College Dublin
Application Deadline: 21 June 2024
6.Fully Funded PhD Position in DIGITAL TWINNING FOR ROBOTIC MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS
Description:
This project seeks to fill a gap in digital technologies and applications for the simulation and operation of automated production systems in the manufacturing sector. The main aims are to develop means by which the accuracy and precision of virtual / simulated robotic operations can be improved making them more positionally representative of a real system at a pre-production stage. The work also seeks to enable the development of a digital twin framework where real production data can be fed to a virtual model enabling more effective operations through real time digital monitoring and process changes when required.
Application Deadline: 21 June 2024
7.Fully Funded PhD Position in DEVELOPING NEXT GENERATION SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING USING COMPUTER AIDED ENGINEERING
Description:
This Ph.D. opportunity merges finite element modeling with advanced constitutive models to optimize packaging structures. Dive into unraveling paper’s mechanical behavior, predicting performance, and shaping sustainable industry standards. Join us in pushing the boundaries of innovation and leaving a lasting impact on the environmental impact of packaging.
Application Deadline: 21 June 2024
8.Fully Funded PhD Position in DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE AVIATION: STRUCTURAL MODELLING OF HYDROGEN-POWERED AIRCRAFT
Description:
To deliver zero-emission aviation by the 2050 there are a range of potential alternative sustainable propulsion system technologies under development. Hydrogen combusting turbofans and hydrogen-powered fuel cells are among the most promising options, alongside SAF and full/hybrid electric solutions. No ‘one size fits all’ solution is likely for the future aerospace sector, with various combinations of the alternative propulsive technologies potentially proving optimal for different aircraft requirements. With existing aircraft modelling approaches and design philosophies dictated by understanding of conventional aircraft, and often restricting design freedom, there is a need for new modelling capability that is sufficiently flexible, adaptable and dynamic to incorporate the wide and ever-evolving design space of novel propulsion system technologies and accelerate the route to identifying the most optimal design solution.
Application Deadline: 21 June 2024
9. Fully Funded PhD Position in 3D PRINTED FLEXIBLE STRAIN SENSORS FOR HEALTHCARE AND SOFT ROBOTIC APPLICATIONS
Description:
This project aims to synthesise superior composites by reinforcing polymers with conductive nanotubes or graphene, then 3D print soft sensors. With augmented electromechanical response, these sensors hold promise for artificial muscles, robotics, and other applications at the intersection of nanotechnology and additive manufacturing. The overarching goal of this project is to formulate novel CNT- and graphene-based polymer nanocomposites, optimise their electromechanical response, and fabricate functional prototypes via 3D printing.
Application Deadline: 21 June 2024
10.Fully Funded PhD Position in HIGH STRENGTH BEARING ALLOYS BY RECYCLING ZN ALLOYS
Description:
This project will meanly investigate the metallurgical properties of modified Zn-Al bearing alloy with RE additions. The properties of cast alloy depend on many factors. The most important is chemical composition because each of the elements affects individually or the components increase (eventually decrease) their mutual influence on the structure and properties of the alloy. This work will investigate the effects of the rare earth concentration on the quality of the modification rate of the Zn-Al bearing alloy by monitoring the metallurgical phase transformation parameters during solidification.
Application Deadline: 21 June 2024