Net-Zero and Sustainable Energy Systems (Ref: SF-MEME-26-003)

About the Project

For more than 30 years, Loughborough has played a leading role in advancing renewable energy technologies, helping to accelerate the transition to Net-Zero through advanced engineering research. We continue to shape the sustainable energy landscape by driving innovation, informing policy development, and enhancing knowledge through active dissemination.

Wolfson School hosts leading experts in renewable energy technologies, power electronics, thermal and electrochemical storage, hydrogen systems, and sustainable manufacturing. Our energy laboratories, environmental testing facilities, and world-class instrumentation support transformative research contributing to a low-carbon future.

Engineering research must address decarbonisation, energy security, circular resource management, and environmental performance. Your PhD will place you at the heart of these challenges, helping to design systems that deliver clean, efficient and resilient energy solutions.

Example research areas:

• Renewable and sustainable energy conversion
• Hydrogen systems, electrification and energy storage
• Smart grid control and energy optimisation
• Low-carbon industrial processes
• Lifecycle environmental modelling

Supervisor

Dr Richard Blanchard (r.e.blanchard@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 dr Richard Blanchard (R.E.Blanchard@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.