Civil Engineering: Fully Funded EPSRC and TWI PhD Scholarship: AI-Driven Investigation into Predictive Non-destructive Evaluation (RS609)

Funding providers: EPSRC DTP and TWI

Subject areas: Modelling, Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence

Project start date: 

• 1 October 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisors:

• Professor Chenfeng Li (First supervisor - c.f.li@swansea.ac.uk)
• Professor Richard Johnston (Second supervisor)

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Civil Engineering

Mode of study: Full-time

Project description: 

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a testing and analysis technique used by industry to evaluate the properties of a material, component, structure or system for characteristic differences or welding defects and discontinuities without causing damage to the original part. Among various NDT approaches, Ultrasound Testing (UT) and X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) are the main focus of this project.

Both UT and XCT techniques can produce large 3D datasets that can be challenging to interrogate for human experts to fully analyse. Small defects or anomalies may be missed when manually examining through the acquired volumetric data. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising solution to automate and enhance defect detection in these complex structural data. The aim of this study is to improve diagnostic accuracy through development an AI system that can perform rapid processing of large 3D data volumes, and identify defects that are difficult to discern with the naked eye and provide a second opinion with a level of certainty to assist human experts. 

From the aspect of research methodology, the research work involves image processing, data analytics and machine learning, as well as image-based material characterization. From the application aspect, the project emphasizes on both metallic and composite materials and components.

Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements (see country specific qualifications). Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations. 

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. 

This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and an annual stipend of £19,237 and an annual top-up of £1,200.

Additional research expenses will also be available.

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:

1. Course choice – please select Civil Engineering / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October

   In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

2. Start year – please select 2024
3. Funding (page 8) –

• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS609 - Non-destructive Evaluation’

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

We encourage you to complete the following to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University: 

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form (online form) 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via e-mail). We strongly advise you to provide the listed supporting documents by the advertised application closing date. Please note that your application may not be considered without the documents listed:

• CV
• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
• Two references (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission (optional) 

Informal enquiries are welcome, please contact Professor Chenfeng Li (c.f.li@swansea.ac.uk).

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.