Nanoparticle-reinforced coatings for leading edge protection of offshore wind turbine blades (Ref: AURA26-IMF2)

About the Project

This PhD scholarship is offered by the EPSRC CDT in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience, a partnership between the Universities of Durham, Hull, Loughborough and Sheffield. The successful applicant will undertake six-month of training with the rest of the CDT cohort at the University of Hull before continuing their PhD research at Loughborough University, supported by industry partner, Trelleborg.

Offshore wind turbine blades are continually exposed to harsh marine environments, where rain, salt spray, and high-speed particle impacts can erode blade leading edges and reduce aerodynamic efficiency. This doctoral studentship aims to revolutionise blade protection through the development of advanced nanoparticle-reinforced polyurethane coatings.

Current leading-edge protection (LEP) technologies, such as tape-based systems, offer limited durability and are costly to maintain or replace offshore. Liquid-applied coatings present an opportunity for seamless, self-healing protection that can be applied both during manufacture and in situ. This project will formulate a new generation of ceramic nanoparticle-enhanced polyurethane coatings that deliver exceptional toughness, erosion resistance, and long-term adhesion under real offshore conditions.

The research will combine advanced materials formulation, microstructural and mechanical characterisation, and accelerated environmental testing.

Training and development

You will benefit from a taught programme, giving you a broad understanding of the breadth and depth of current and emerging offshore wind sector needs. This begins with an intensive six-month programme at the University of Hull for the new student intake, drawing on the expertise and facilities of all four academic partners. It is supplemented by Continuing Professional Development (CPD), which is embedded throughout your 4-year research scholarship.

In addition, the successful candidate will receive training in safe laboratory work, formulation methods, and characterisation techniques.

Name of primary supervisor/CDT lead:
Dr Ignacio Martin-Fabiani i.martin-fabiani@lboro.ac.uk

Names of secondary supervisors:
Dr Sina Saremi Yarahmadi
Prof Robert M Dorrell
Dr Daniel Butcher
Mr Adam Nevin

Entry requirements:

If you have received a First-class Honours degree, or a 2:1 Honours degree and a Masters, or a Distinction at Masters level with any undergraduate degree (or the international equivalents) in materials science/engineering, chemical engineering, polymer science/engineering, or a relevant engineering or science degree, we would like to hear from you.

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Funding information:

The studentship is for 4 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £21,805 per annum for the duration of the studentship plus tuition fees at the UK rate.

Due to funding restrictions, this is only available to those eligible for UK fees. For full eligibility information, please refer to the EPSRC website.

How to Apply:

All applications should be made online. Under Campus, please select Loughborough and select Programme Materials Engineering Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience. Please quote the advertised reference number AURA26-IMF2 in your application.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents. The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them make a decision on your application.

Applications are now open for October 2026 entry and will be considered on a rolling basis, and we therefore strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to interview as applications are received and offers may be made before all applications are reviewed and if a scholarship is filled any future scheduled interviews may need to be cancelled. The scholarships will remain open until all places are filled.

We warmly welcome applications from all eligible candidates, and we particularly encourage applications from women, mature students, disabled applicants, and marginalised Black and Asian students with home fee status, who remain under represented in our cohorts.

If you need additional time to prepare your application due to disability, caring responsibilities, health related needs, or other circumstances linked to protected characteristics, you may submit a short Expression of Interest Form (EOI) to register your intention to apply.

Please note, you may only apply for ONE project offered through the EPSRC CDT in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience.

Please ensure that you familiarise yourself with the CDT website before you apply. The Frequently asked questions page and Candidate resources page are essential reading prior to applying.

As part of the recruitment process, we ask that you submit a short film of you delivering a presentation, of up to 5 minutes in length, on “How do your experiences and qualities provide a background to contribute to research and innovation for the project you have applied for”.

Full application guidance including access to the supplementary application form is provided here. To submit a formal application go to: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/research-applications/

Under programme name, select 'Materials Engineering Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience’. Both Full-time and Part-time modes of study are available (part-time study is only available to Home students due to visa restrictions). Please quote the advertised reference number in your application: this is Aura26-IMF2 for "Nanoparticle-reinforced coatings for leading edge protection of offshore wind turbine blades"

With your application, you need to upload copies of the following supporting evidence:

• Complete transcripts (and final degree certificate(s) where possible). If your qualification documents are not in English, you will need to supply copies of your original language documents as well as their official translation into English.
• Your Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A completed Supplementary Application Form (upload when asked to add a Research proposal).

Uploading the form

When you have completed the form, please save it as a pdf format and labelled as follows:

• Last name_first name PhD application form

Upload the form as part of your application documents through the Loughborough University student application portal, when asked to add a Research Proposal. The Form replaces the Research Proposal and so you do not need to add a Research Proposal. Please do not send your form directly to the Offshore Wind CDT.