Fully Funded PhD Programs in Scotland: Advance your Study 1

Do you have a Master’s degree and are seeking fully funded PhD opportunities? The University of Edinburgh in Scotland is accepting online applications for numerous fully funded PhD positions across various research areas.

If you are interested in pursuing a fully funded PhD, you can find detailed information and apply as soon as possible. Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the University’s Online Application Portal.

TOP 8 Fully Funded PhD Programs in Scotland (2024/2025 Session)

Fully Funded PhD in Additive Manufacturing for High-Performance Electrical Machines

PhD Program Overview:

Innovative research is crucial as the world grapples with an environmental crisis and aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. One key area is the decarbonization of airways, which requires high power density, and efficient, fault-tolerant electrical machines.

Additive manufacturing has revolutionized many industries, but its application in electrical machines remains limited despite its potential for significant improvements. This PhD project aims to harness the power of additive manufacturing to enhance the performance of electrical machines by developing high-performing functional materials. The focus will be on soft magnetic and conductive materials, essential for electrical machines. Additive manufacturing can improve these materials’ performance by reducing eddy current losses, increasing slot fill factors, and integrating complex cooling systems. However, one challenge is the surface roughness of components, which affects resistivity and loss behavior.

The goal of this PhD project is to reduce surface roughness both in the as-built condition and through various post-processing methods. The impact of these improvements will be assessed at both the materials and machine levels.

Benefits:

Full funding covering tuition fees
A generous stipend for living expenses
Hands-on experience with metal additive manufacturing
Development and construction of demonstrator materials and/or motors
Access to state-of-the-art research facilities
Opportunities to collaborate with leading experts in the field
Support for attending conferences and publishing research findings

Eligibility:

A minimum entry qualification of an Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline, possibly supported by an MSc degree.
English language requirements must be met for EU/Overseas applicants.

Principal Supervisor: Dr. Alexander Goodall
Assistant Supervisor: Dr. Samuel Tammas Williams

Contact: For additional questions, please email agoodal3@ed.ac.uk.

Application Process:

Applications should be submitted via the University’s online application system. The start date for this PhD is flexible, but the advertisement will be removed once a suitable candidate is found.

Funding:

Tuition fees and a stipend are available for Home/EU and International students.

Fully Funded PhD in Fluid Dynamics of Yacht Sails

PhD Program Overview:

This PhD project focuses on investigating the unique fluid dynamics of yacht sails. Sails exhibit distinctive flow characteristics, enabling them to generate very high lift and an exceptional lift/drag ratio, outperforming wings and blades used in fields such as aeronautics and turbomachinery. The primary aim of the project is to comprehend the underlying mechanisms of these flow features to enhance sail performance and facilitate the cross-application of fluid dynamics research across various fields requiring fluid dynamic efficiency.

The flow field around yacht sails is characterized by several uncommon phenomena. The sharp leading edge of sails causes laminar separation, followed by a laminar-to-turbulent transition and subsequent turbulent reattachment, resulting in the formation of a leading edge vortex (LEV). While LEVs are observed on flat plates with sharp leading edges and delta wings, a similar phenomenon known as the laminar separation bubble (LSB) occurs on rounded-nose foils used in low-pressure turbines.

In this project, large-scale flexible sails will be tested in a wind tunnel to measure forces and their flying shape. Subsequently, a rigid small-scale model will be built and tested in a water tunnel to perform flow measurements using Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). These experimental measurements will be complemented by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to explore a wide range of conditions that are challenging to test experimentally. Specifically, numerical experiments using Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) on 2D extruded geometries will investigate the natural transition mechanisms of LEV. Notably, DNS, LES, and water tunnel experiments have not previously been used to study the fluid dynamics of sails.

Benefits:

Full funding covering tuition fees
A generous stipend for living expenses
Hands-on experience with advanced experimental and computational techniques
Access to state-of-the-art research facilities
Opportunities to collaborate with leading experts in fluid dynamics
Support for attending conferences and publishing research findings

Eligibility:

A minimum entry qualification of an Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant engineering or science discipline, possibly supported by an MSc degree.
English language requirements must be met for EU/Overseas applicants.

Further Information:

The University of Edinburgh is committed to promoting equality and inclusivity among its staff and students. For more details, please visit University of Edinburgh Equality and Diversity.

Application Process:

There is no fixed closing date for this position, which will remain open until filled. Applications should be submitted via the University’s online application system. For additional questions, please contact the principal supervisor.

Principal Supervisor: Dr. Dr Ignazio Maria Viola

Fully Funded PhD in Visible-Light Driven Photocatalysis for Benzyl Alcohol Conversion

PhD Program Overview:

Photocatalysis has recently gained traction as an effective method for converting benzyl alcohol due to its low energy consumption, mild reaction conditions, and high selectivity. Despite its potential, the reaction predominantly relies on UV light, which constitutes only a small fraction of sunlight. This project aims to develop visible-light-driven photocatalysts with appropriate band levels to enhance sunlight absorption, facilitating the creation of separated electrons and holes for redox reactions. Specifically, the focus will be on the photocatalytic coupling of benzyl alcohol to C-C coupling compounds using a non-toxic and highly selective catalytic process. Additionally, the project aims to improve the student’s experimental skills, materials characterization abilities, and data analysis proficiency.

Student Training and Learning Opportunities:

A student joining our research group will gain comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience in:

Photocatalytic Reactions and Photocatalyst Synthesis: Understanding the fundamentals and practical aspects of photocatalytic processes.
Analytical Techniques: Utilizing GC, BET, FTIR, GCMS, XPS, SEM, and chemical analysis to elucidate reaction mechanisms.
Critical Data Analysis: Developing skills in the critical analysis of experimental data, material characterization, and scientific writing.

Supervision Team:

Principal Supervisor: Professor Xianfeng Fan
Assistant Supervisor: To be confirmed

Eligibility:

Minimum entry qualification: An Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline, possibly supported by an MSc degree.
Further information on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants can be found on the university’s website.

Funding:

Applications are welcomed from self-funded students or those applying for scholarships from the University of Edinburgh or other sources. Further information and additional funding options are available on the university’s website.

Informal Enquiries:

For informal inquiries, please contact Professor Xianfeng Fan at X.Fan@ed.ac.uk.

Applications should be submitted via the University of Edinburgh’s online application system. The start date for this PhD is flexible, and the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is

Closing Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Fully Funded PhD in Advancing Manufacturing with Digital Twin Technology

In the era of Industry 4.0, manufacturing is undergoing a profound transformation driven by cutting-edge technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and digital twins. This innovative research project focuses on developing methodologies and technologies to create a dynamic and precise digital twin that mirrors real-time manufacturing processes. By doing so, it aims to enhance decision-making capabilities, enable predictive maintenance strategies, and optimize production efficiency.

Joint Supervisors:

Prof Jonathan Corney (j.r.corney@ed.ac.uk)
Dr Matjaz Vidmar (matjaz.vidmar@ed.ac.uk)

Fully Funded PhD Smart Products Made Smarter

This PhD opportunity is part of the Prosperity Partnership Programme, “Smart Products Made Smarter,” a collaborative initiative involving Heriot-Watt University, the University of Edinburgh, and Leonardo. We are inviting applications for a fully funded PhD studentship, offering an enhanced stipend of £20,716 per year over 3.5 years.

Sponsored by EPSRC in collaboration with Leonardo, this program bridges academia and industry, offering diverse PhD opportunities across various research topics with strong industrial links.

Research Challenges and Themes:

The project addresses key challenges in product lifecycle management, emphasizing smart concept development, design, manufacturing, and enhanced end-user capabilities. It is unified by a digital thread that enables the advancement of smart products. Specific challenges include:

Challenge 1 (C1): Innovating hybrid manufacturing processes to disrupt traditional trade-offs through additive manufacturing techniques.
Challenge 2 (C2): Developing agile handling processes using digital data flows for custom component production by adaptable robots.
Challenge 3 (C3): Advancing signal processing and machine learning methodologies for intelligent sensor products, managing data deluge across the electromagnetic spectrum.

These challenges provide foundational research themes for potential PhD projects, offering flexibility to explore additional ideas and themes.

Additional Information:

The University of Edinburgh promotes inclusivity and equality of opportunity for all its staff and students. Learn more at University’s Equality and Diversity page.

Eligibility:

Applicants must hold an Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline, possibly supported by an MSc Degree. Due to the defense-related nature of the project, only UK/EU students are eligible to apply.

Funding:

Tuition fees and stipends are covered for UK and EU applicants through the EPSRC Prosperity Partnership Programme. Please note, that international applicants are not eligible due to project-specific nationality restrictions.

For more details on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants and other funding options, visit the University’s funding information page.

Informal Enquiries:

For informal enquiries, contact Prof Jonathan Corney at j.r.corney@ed.ac.uk.

Closing Date:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is found. The closing date for applications is Friday, February 28, 2025.

Fully Funded PhD in Advanced Sensing and Wireless Communication Technologies

This research initiative is dedicated to pioneering advancements in sensing techniques and optimizing wireless communications for future networks. It encompasses a comprehensive exploration of optical and radio frequencies to enable simultaneous sensing and data transmission. These innovative approaches promise to integrate data transmission capabilities with object detection functionalities, akin to radar systems, and precise location tracking using sensor data within a unified framework. One of the key methodologies under investigation includes leveraging electromagnetically induced transparency with Rydberg atoms.

Project Overview

We are seeking candidates with a strong academic background in physics, electronic and electrical engineering, or related disciplines, ideally holding both a first degree and an MSc/MEng. The successful applicant will demonstrate a passion for experimental research and possess advanced skills in mathematical modelling, crucial for addressing the project’s objectives.

Applicants must fulfill the requirement of submitting and obtaining approval for a researcher form from the project funder before commencing the position. Please note that applicants from Belarus, Iran, North Korea, People’s Republic of China, and Russia may encounter additional approval challenges due to nationality.

Expected Start Date: October 2024 or shortly thereafter.

Additional Information

The University of Edinburgh is committed to fostering equality of opportunity and maintaining an inclusive environment for all its staff and students. For further details, visit the University’s Equality and Diversity page.

Supervisors

Principal Supervisor: Professor Wasiu O Popoola
Assistant Supervisor: Professor John Thompson

Eligibility

Prospective candidates should hold a minimum Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in Physics, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, or a relevant discipline. Detailed information on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants is available upon request.

Funding

Tuition fees and stipends are available for both Home/EU and International students. Explore additional funding opportunities on the University’s funding information page.

Informal Enquiries

For informal enquiries regarding this PhD opportunity, please contact Professor Wasiu O Popoola at w.popoola@ed.ac.uk.

Closing Date

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is selected. The closing date for applications is Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply promptly to ensure consideration for this exciting opportunity.

Fully Funded PhD in Evaluating the sustainability of polymer membrane fabrication and applications

This research project at the Institute of Materials and Processes (IMP) focuses on conducting life-cycle assessments to evaluate the sustainability of current and emerging materials fabrication and separation processes. Specifically, it aims to support clean water production, carbon capture, and resource recovery initiatives.

The PhD student involved in this project will gain proficiency in various critical areas including lifecycle assessments, synthesis of microporous materials, and fabrication and evaluation of polymer membranes. Additionally, they will acquire hands-on experience with experimental techniques such as gas adsorption analysis, polymer synthesis, FTIR, SEM, TEM, NMR, and AFM.

These skills are not only crucial for careers in industrial sectors focused on water and carbon capture technologies but also beneficial for pursuing an academic path in Chemical Engineering or Materials Engineering.

Supervision:

Lead Supervisor: Dr. Sam Lau
Assistant Supervisor: Dr. R. Camilla Thomson

Requirements: Prospective candidates should hold an honors degree at 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science, physics, mechanical engineering, synthetic chemistry, organic chemistry, or a related field.

Additional Details: For detailed information regarding English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants, please refer to the application guidelines.

Funding: Applications are open to self-funded students and those applying for scholarships from the University of Edinburgh or other sources. Competitive funding opportunities may be available—please inquire for more details.

Further Information: The University of Edinburgh is dedicated to promoting equality of opportunity among its staff and students and fosters a culture of inclusivity. For more information, visit: https://www.ed.ac.uk/equality-diversity

Closing Date: Applications must be submitted by Thursday, February 20, 2025.

Fully Funded PhD in FPGA-based Generative AI for Image Reconstruction

PhD Program Overview:

This innovative PhD project aims to develop accelerators using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) to improve computer vision tasks with Generative AI. The research will focus on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) powered by Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). These advanced technologies will support a range of applications, such as generating image datasets, translating images, and performing face frontalization.

Benefits: