[Annual tax-free stipend of £20,780 for 2025/26 (UKRI rate), tuition fees paid, stipend expected to increase each year, 3.5 year duration.] This fully funded 3.5-year PhD studentship at The University of Manchester focuses on advancing large-scale on-site manufacturing through closed-loop 3D printing and autonomous reconstruction. Supported by the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the project addresses key challenges in scaling up 3D printing technologies for direct on-site fabrication, which is crucial for sectors such as aerospace, renewable energy, and infrastructure. Traditional 3D printing systems are limited by workspace size, requiring large products to be manufactured off-site in parts and assembled later. This research aims to overcome these limitations by integrating mobility and autonomy into 3D printing systems, enabling the effective workspace to match arbitrary product sizes and facilitating direct on-site manufacturing. The successful candidate will investigate innovative methods for large-scale on-site 3D printing, focusing on two main technical challenges: efficient and proactive reconstruction of the printing process for real-time in-situ monitoring of large-volume material deposition, and adaptive compensation for defect magnification and error accumulation through closed-loop feedback systems. The developed technologies will be tested in various scenarios, including large-scale fabrication, product repair, and maintenance tasks. Applicants should hold or expect to achieve at least a UK 2.1 honours degree in Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Computer Science, or related disciplines. Experience in autonomous systems, manufacturing/robotics, and machine vision development is advantageous. The studentship provides an annual tax-free stipend of £20,780 (UKRI rate for 2025/26), with tuition fees covered and the stipend expected to increase annually. The start date is flexible between October and December 2025. Interested candidates should apply online and contact the supervisor, Dr Kun Qian, with details of their academic background, experience, and motivation for the project.