PhD Studentship in Metal Manufacturing

Imperial College London - Mechanical Engineering

Supervisors: Dr Jun Jiang (Reader), Mechanical Engineering Department

Deadline for application: 30/10/2025. Early submission is encouraged.

Funding mechanisms: Fully funded by Imperial College, IDLA Tata Steel UK or Constellium UK, covering tuition fees, a generous stipend, and additional travel and consumables support.

Applications are invited for a PhD research studentship, open to both UK and overseas candidates, starting in 2026. Successful applicants will investigate the relationships between processing, microstructure, and properties of metals through combined macro- and micro-mechanical experimentation and finite-element modelling. Research themes would be flexible including green steel formability under the EPSRC ADAP-EAF programme for automotive and packaging applications; or micromechanical studies of aluminium precipitate evolution during forming; or development of solid-state joining techniques for dissimilar lightweight metals.

Prior research experience in materials processing or computational modelling is desirable but not essential; applicants should demonstrate strong academic performance, resilience in the face of research challenges, a proactive attitude to learning and a willingness to grow, and ideally an initial publication record.

Ideal candidates will hold a 1st-class undergraduate degree or a Distinction in a relevant master’s programme. They will need to submit a curriculum vitae (including academic transcript and publication list), a cover letter outlining their research interests and preferred project theme, and the names and contact details of two academic referees.

To apply, click the 'Apply' button, above, and select “PhD in Mechanical Engineering – Materials and Manufacturing” before uploading your documents.

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Jun Jiang at jun.jiang@imperial.ac.uk

Further information on research in mechanical engineering at Imperial College London can be found at: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/research/

and details of the EPSRC ADAPT-EAF Green Steel programme are available at: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/266193/imperial-joins-7m-green-steel-research/