Advanced Manufacturing, Automation and Metrology (Ref: SF-MEME-26-001)

About the Project

Join a world-leading Engineering School pushing the boundaries of intelligent, sustainable and high-precision manufacturing. Manufacturing has been central to Loughborough University since its foundation in 1909, and our research now spans advanced manufacturing processes, intelligent automation, sustainability and the circular economy.

The Wolfson School is internationally renowned for pioneering research in advanced manufacturing, robotics, automation, systems engineering and light-based precision metrology. With state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities, additive manufacturing suites, robotics labs, and advanced optics and photonics instrumentation facilities, we offer an exceptional environment for doctoral study. Manufacturing is changing rapidly as automation, digitalisation and sustainability reshape the way components and systems are designed, produced and inspected.

As a PhD researcher, you will be part of this transition—working on challenges that connect fundamental engineering with real industrial needs. Your project may involve smart production systems, autonomous equipment, precision metrology, or approaches that reduce waste and energy use in modern manufacturing.

Research in this area drives the evolution of smart factories and digitally enabled production, aligned with Industry 4.0 principles and supporting emerging Industry 5.0 capabilities.

Example research areas:

• Autonomous and collaborative robotics
• AI- and digital-twin-enabled process optimisation
• Precision light-based metrology for micro- and macro-scales
• Optical fibre sensing and silicon photonics instrumentation
• Advanced imaging techniques for experimental mechanics
• Laser diagnostics in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics
• Traceable high-speed 3D vision systems
• Multi-material additive manufacturing
• Sustainable and circular manufacturing systems
• Industry 4.0 and 5.0 technologies for intelligent and interconnected manufacturing systems

Supervisor

Prof Peter Kinnell (P.Kinnell@lboro.ac.uk)

Tuition fees for 2026-27 entry

• UK fee - £5,238 Full-time degree per annum
• International fee - £29,500 Full-time degree per annum

Fees for the 2026-27 academic year apply to projects starting in October 2026, February 2027 and July 2027.

UK tuition fees for 2026/27 are currently to be confirmed pending the release of the UKRI recommended rates. Once published, these rates will be subject to formal approval by the University before being confirmed.

Opportunity Details

• Target Start Date: October 2026
• Full time or part time available.
• Open to UK and international applicants.

How to Apply

We welcome discussions with interested candidates.

• Step 1: Interested applicants should first contact Professor Peter Kinnell (P.Kinnell@lboro.ac.uk) to discuss your research interests and funding options.
• Step 2: Applicants are then strongly encouraged to contact potential supervisors with a CV, academic transcripts, and confirmation of funding sources or planned funding sources.
• Step 3: following any informal discussion, applicants are invited to make a formal application on the Loughborough Website.