Mechanical/Materials Engineering: Fully Funded EPSRC and Schmidt-Clemens Spain PhD Scholarship: Modelling of Complex Load Cycles at Elevated Temperature (RS727)

Funding provider(s): 50% EPSRC DTP and 50% Industry - Schmidt-Clemens Spain S.A.U.

Subject area(s): Mechanical/Materials Engineering

Project start date(s) 

• 1 April 2025
• 1 July 2025

Supervisors:

Primary Supervisor Dr Will Harrison
Secondary Supervisor Professor Mark Whittaker

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Mode of study: Full or Part-time study is possible.

Project description:

Engineering components such as those found in high temperature plant applications are often subjected to cycles during which both stress and temperature change. These cycles can occur during normal service or during start-up/shut-down cycles and can significantly limit service lives of the components. Due to thermal gradients associated with heating and cooling, these load/thermal cycles are complex in nature and the cycle frequency is typically lower than that of a normal thermo-mechanical fatigue (TMF) cycle resulting in deformation dominated by creep mechanisms. The aim of this project is to develop a model for the deformation and damage that occurs during these complex cycles. A constitutive model which accounts for the effects of stress and temperature changes on material hardening and damage will be implemented within finite element (FE) software allowing predictions of component behaviour to be made.

This PhD project will be part funded by Schmidt+Clemens (SC) who will be able to provide expertise and data to validate and verify the numerical models.

Candidates must hold an UK Bachelor degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline or overseas Bachelor degree deemed equivalent to UK Bachelor (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline – see country specific qualifications

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.  

Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

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 tuition fees and an annual stipend at £19,237.

Additional research expenses will also be available. Value: £1000 per annum

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

1. Course choice – please select  as per preferred start date and mode of study, either -  

   * For April 2025 start select:

   (Full-time) Mechanical Engineering / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / April

   (Part-time) Mechanical Engineering / PhD / Part-time / 6 Years / April

   OR

   *For July 2025  start select:

   (Full-time) Mechanical Engineering / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / July

   (Part-time) Mechanical Engineering / PhD / Part-time /6 Years / July

   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 2025
3. Funding (page 8 on the application process) –

• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS727 - Elevated Temperature’

*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.

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.  Please click the following link to complete your EDI Monitoring Form:

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

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):

• CV
• Degree certificates and transcripts
• A cover letter
• Two references
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable)
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
• Confirmation of submission of EDI Form

Informal enquiries are welcome, please contact Dr Will Harrison (w.harrison@swansea.ac.uk) 01792295414

*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.