University of Southampton
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PhD Project: Leading Edge Protection of Turbine Blades by Design University of Southampton in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Mechanical Engineering
Funding
Competition funded PhD project. Fees and funding are available; the post is advertised as a funded postgraduate research project.
Deadline
Jan 29, 2027
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Southampton

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About this position
PhD project at the University of Southampton on leading edge protection of turbine blades by design.
This postgraduate research project sits in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences and focuses on the physics of rain droplet erosion and impact damage in leading edges of aero engine fan blades, helicopter blades, and wind turbine blades. The research will use high-speed video, digital image correlation (DIC), water jet impingement, and microCT to study stress waves, damage evolution, and subsurface erosion mechanisms.
The project also explores protective materials and coatings including PMMA, PU coatings, erosion-resistant polymers, and nano-structured NiCo alloy shields, with modelling informed by experimental observations. An existing rig will be instrumented to measure impact loads.
Funding: competition funded. Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Entry requirement: at least a 2:1 honours degree. Deadline: 29 January 2027.
Applicants interested in experimental mechanics, materials degradation, erosion resistance, and blade protection design should review the project page and submit an application through the University of Southampton postgraduate research process.
Funding details
Competition funded PhD project. Fees and funding are available; the post is advertised as a funded postgraduate research project.
What's required
Applicants should have a 2:1 honours degree. The project is suited to candidates interested in experimental mechanics, impact/erosion testing, high-speed video, digital image correlation (DIC), microCT, modelling, and materials degradation/protection.
How to apply
Review the project details and full entry requirements on the University of Southampton page, then apply through the postgraduate research application process linked from the project page. Check the fees and funding section before submitting your application.
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