PhD Studentship: Dynamic Analysis of Particle-Based Long-Duration Energy Storage Systems The University of Manchester in United Kingdom

[Tax-free annual stipend of £21,805 for 2026/27 at the UKRI rate, subject to annual uplift, plus full tuition fees covered.]

PhD Studentship at The University of Manchester: Dynamic Analysis of Particle-Based Long-Duration Energy Storage Systems.

This 3.5-year doctoral project sits at the intersection of mechanical engineering, heat transfer, thermal engineering, energy storage, particle dynamics, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and physics-informed artificial intelligence. It is designed for a student interested in developing high-fidelity modelling tools for next-generation particle-based long-duration energy storage (LDES) systems that can support power systems with high penetrations of wind and solar energy.

The research will examine transient thermo-fluid behaviour, heat transfer, particle transport, thermal stratification, and dynamic system response in high-temperature particle-based thermal energy storage under rapidly changing charging and discharging conditions. A major part of the project will involve building multi-physics CFD models to capture complex particle-fluid interactions, turbulent heat transfer, and system-level thermodynamics across multiple time and length scales.

In parallel, the project will explore Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs), reduced-order modelling, and AI-enabled digital twin approaches to improve simulation speed, predictive capability, fault detection, optimisation, and real-time control. The combination of first-principles thermo-fluid modelling with machine learning will help create accurate yet computationally efficient tools for online monitoring and adaptive operation.

The successful candidate will gain experience with advanced numerical methods, particle dynamics, turbulent heat transfer, AI for energy storage systems, and large-scale computational platforms. The project also offers opportunities to engage with large experimental facilities, industrial datasets, and a major international consortium spanning the UK, Europe, and the USA. This collaborative environment provides strong exposure to academia, industry, and advanced digital energy research.

Funding is provided as a tax-free UKRI-rate stipend of £21,805 for 2026/27, subject to annual uplift, with tuition fees fully covered. The studentship is open to Home (UK) and international applicants. Applicants should hold, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline.

To apply, contact the main supervisor, Prof Yasser Mahmoudi Larimi, at [email protected]. Applicants should include their current level of study, academic background, relevant experience, and a paragraph describing their motivation for the project. The application link is https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425.