PhD Studentship in Tribology: Unlocking the Black Box: A Data-Driven Framework for Surface–Lubricant Interactions

About the Project

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of “Unlocking the Black Box: A Data-Driven Framework for Surface–Lubricant Interactions”, leading to the award of a PhD degree. The studentship will be based in the Tribology Group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London. It will be supervised by Prof. Daniele Dini. The studentship is for 4 years available from September 2026 and will provide full coverage of standard tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of approximately £24,500. This studentship is funded by the EPSRC and BP via an IDLA award. At Imperial, the student will be a member of a larger community of the Tribology Group who focuses on the development of both experimental and modelling techniques across the scales. Most of the system-related experimentation will be conducted in close collaboration with the industrial partner. The Tribology Group at Imperial College is a vibrant, world-leading research group with unparalleled experimental and modelling equipment facilities. The project will also relate to the newly launched Vehicle Futures Hub based in the Department of Mechanical engineering.

Friction and wear in gear systems are a major source of energy loss, inefficiency, and premature failure in a number of industrially-relevant applications, with specific focus on complex robotics systems. Current lubricants are developed through fragmented, component-level testing that often misses real operating conditions, limiting durability, therefore slowing sustainable innovation. This project develops a system-level framework linking lubricant chemistry to friction, wear, and surface damage across multiple interfaces, which have different concomitant requirements. Using advanced tribological testing, data analysis, modelling, and surface analysis, the student will create a digital tool to optimize lubricants for efficiency, durability, and sustainability, with particular attention given to robotics actuation. Outcomes include reduced frictional losses, extended fluid and component lifetimes, and lower environmental impact – contributing to BP’s goals and EPSRC priorities in energy efficiency and sustainable engineering.

The main objectives of this project are to: (1) model gearbox interfaces to quantify energy loss and identify failure risks; (2) run tribological experiments to measure friction, wear, and efficiency; (3) use surface analysis to connect lubricant chemistry to performance and sustainability; (4) integrate results into a predictive tool for efficient lubricant design. Training will include tribology, energy-efficient lubrication, sustainable engineering, surface science, modelling, and digital R&D. In parallel, the student will gain extensive professional development: project and time management, teamwork, leadership, communication, IP awareness, and industrial engagement skills. The project will involve close collaboration with experimentalists and other scientists at BP-Castrol to provide data and ensure relevance to industrial applications.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You should hold or expect to obtain a First-Class Honours or a high 2:1 degree at Master’s level (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, another branch of relevant engineering, Materials, Physics, Chemistry or a related science. We expect you to have an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in developing new experimental and/or modelling techniques for the discovery of new engineering solutions for the energy transition is essential, as are good team-working, observational and communication skills.

To find out more about research at Imperial College London in this area, go to:

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/tribology/

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/research/vehicle-futures-hub

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanicalengineering

For information on how to apply, go to:

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/study/phd/how-to-apply/

For further details of the post contact Prof. Daniele Dini, d.dini@imperial.ac.uk. Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to them. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

Closing date: until post filled

Funding Notes

The studentship is for 4 years available from September 2026 and will provide full coverage of standard tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of approximately £24,500. This studentship is funded by the EPSRC and BP via an IDLA award.