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PhD in MANTA: Monitoring Array for Nanoparticle Tracking and Assessment University of Auckland in New Zealand
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Funded PhD project. The post is part of the Applied Doctorates Scheme and includes a cohort of 22 PhD students across New Zealand, with additional advanced business and entrepreneurial skills and industry engagement. Funding details beyond funded status are not specified in the post.
Deadline
Oct 10, 2026
Country
New Zealand
University
University of Auckland

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About this position
PhD opportunity at the University of Auckland in MANTA: Monitoring Array for Nanoparticle Tracking and Assessment, an applied doctoral project hosted by the Department of Engineering Science with industry partner Frond Space Systems Limited.
The project explores how deployable dragsails and large-area thin-film structures can be transformed into an impact-sensing capability for orbital debris, micrometeorites, and cosmic dust. Research themes include dynamics, sensing, materials science, data analysis, and experimental validation of hypervelocity impact detection in space-relevant environments.
You will investigate impact sensing fundamentals, assess how vacuum, thermal cycling, and cumulative wear affect long-duration performance, and develop a staged testing programme from laboratory proxies to representative impact facilities. The project also considers mission and science applications, including distributed sensor networks for debris population studies and planetary science in lunar and interplanetary dust environments.
Eligibility: applicants should have an engineering or physics background and an interest in experimental and theoretical work. The post states that only citizens from a specified list of countries will be considered, and applicants must be able to obtain a suitable visa by March 2027.
Funding: this is a funded PhD project within the Applied Doctorates Scheme, which includes a cohort of 22 PhD students across New Zealand and additional business/entrepreneurial training plus industry connections.
Deadline: application closing date is 10 October 2026.
How to apply: first read the Applied Doctorates Scheme Application Guidance, then apply for doctoral admission through the University of Auckland portal. After receiving your University ID and application number, complete the Applied Doctorates Scheme application form.
Funding details
Funded PhD project. The post is part of the Applied Doctorates Scheme and includes a cohort of 22 PhD students across New Zealand, with additional advanced business and entrepreneurial skills and industry engagement. Funding details beyond funded status are not specified in the post.
What's required
Candidates should have an engineering or physics background and interest in dynamics, sensing, materials, and data analysis. The project suits applicants who enjoy both experimental and theoretical work and can translate methods into a flight-ready capability. Only citizens of the listed eligible countries will be considered, and applicants must be able to obtain a suitable visa by March 2027.
How to apply
Read the Applied Doctorates Scheme Application Guidance first, including the note for University of Auckland applicants. Apply for doctoral admission through the University of Auckland portal. After receiving your University ID and application number, complete the application form on the Applied Doctorates Scheme website.
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