PhD Studentship - Simulating Sustainable Packaging

The University of Manchester - Mathematics

Qualification Type:PhD Location:Manchester Funding for:UK Students Funding amount:£21,805 - please see advert Hours:Full Time Placed On: 13th April 2026

Closes: 13th July 2026

Application deadline: All year round

Research theme: Computational Mechanics/Applied Mathematics

How to apply: uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

This 3.5-year PhD project is fully funded and home students are eligible to apply. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27) and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2026.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

This project focuses on developing advanced simulation techniques to optimise the sustainable packaging of granular and complex fluid materials through virtual prototyping. By coupling the open-source software MercuryDPM for discrete particle modelling with oomph-lib for the simulation of complex fluids, the research will create a powerful framework for fluid-particle interaction. A key objective is to reduce the amount of packaging material required while maintaining or improving packaging density, stability, and performance. Virtual prototyping will enable the design and testing of efficient, sustainable packaging strategies without the cost and waste of physical trials. With applications in industries like pharmaceuticals, food processing, and construction, the project may also incorporate machine learning methods for model calibration and optimisation, driving more sustainable material handling and packaging practices.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

To apply, please contact the main supervisor Dr. Anthony Thornton - Anthony.Thornton@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.