[Annual tax-free stipend at UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26, subject to annual uplift) plus full tuition fees for 3.5 years. Funding available for Home (UK) and overseas students.]

This 3.5-year PhD studentship at The University of Manchester offers an exciting opportunity to develop new generation corrosion-resistant aluminium alloys, addressing critical challenges in the aerospace and automotive industries. The project is motivated by the increasing global demand for aluminium alloys, which is driving the use of secondary metals and recycled aluminium. This introduces impurities that can negatively impact corrosion resistance, especially in accelerated qualification tests for automotive OEMs. The research aims to improve the corrosion performance of high strength aluminium alloys, with a focus on reducing embedded carbon levels and moving towards Net Zero carbon targets.

The successful candidate will work on the development of high strength aluminium alloys, carefully controlling microstructure—particularly second phase particles and recrystallization—to achieve superior performance compared to existing alloys. The project will investigate the complex interactions between alloy chemistry, processing, microstructure, and performance. Advanced high resolution electron microscopy and newly developed X-ray and electron-based nanotomography will be used to characterize microstructural features responsible for alloy degradation. Performance assessment will involve correlative accelerated laboratory testing and electrochemical measurements.

This studentship provides access to state-of-the-art facilities and the opportunity to develop interdisciplinary skills in a collaborative environment with over 8 PhD students, researchers, leading academics, and industrial experts. Regular seminars and social events are organized by the group, and industrial collaborators will work closely with the student, offering exposure to manufacturing environments in Europe. The project combines pioneering academic research with valuable industrial experience.

Funding includes an annual tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26, subject to annual uplift) and full tuition fees for both Home (UK) and overseas students. The start date is October 2026, and early application is recommended as the advert may be removed before the deadline. Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2.1 honours degree in materials science/engineering, metallurgy, physics, chemistry, or a related subject. To apply, contact Prof Zhou at [email protected] and submit your academic background, current level of study, relevant experience, and a paragraph about your motivation for this PhD project. For further details and to apply online, visit https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425.