PhD Studentship in Solid Mechanics – Metal Manufacturing Imperial College London in United Kingdom

[Fully funded by EPSRC-IDLA with Tata Steel UK or Constellium UK, covering tuition fees at home student level (£5,006 per year), a stipend of £25,000 per year, and additional travel and consumables support.]

This fully funded PhD studentship at Imperial College London offers an exciting opportunity to conduct advanced research in solid mechanics and metal manufacturing. Supported by EPSRC-IDLA in partnership with Tata Steel UK or Constellium UK, the position covers tuition fees at the home student level (£5,006 per year), provides a generous stipend of £25,000 per annum, and includes additional support for travel and consumables. The research will be based in the Mechanical Engineering Department, under the supervision of Dr Jun Jiang (Reader).

The project focuses on investigating the relationships between processing, microstructure, and properties of metals using macro- and micro-mechanical experimentation and finite-element modelling. Research themes are flexible and may include green steel formability under the EPSRC ADAP‑EAF programme for automotive and packaging applications, micromechanical studies of aluminium precipitate evolution during forming, or the development of solid‑state joining techniques for dissimilar lightweight metals. The studentship is ideal for candidates interested in materials science, mechanical engineering, and advanced manufacturing processes.

Applicants should hold a first class undergraduate degree or a Distinction in a Materials or Mechanical Engineering master’s programme. Prior research experience in materials processing or computational modelling is desirable but not essential. Candidates must demonstrate strong academic performance, resilience, a proactive attitude to learning, willingness to grow, and ideally an initial publication record. The position is open to UK candidates and exceptionally strong overseas candidates (such as those top-ranked in their department with a proven publication track record).

To apply, candidates should prepare a curriculum vitae (including academic transcript and publication list), a cover letter outlining their research interests and preferred project theme, and the names and contact details of two academic referees. Applications should be submitted via the Imperial College Mechanical Engineering PhD application portal, selecting 'PhD in Mechanical Engineering – Materials and Manufacturing' as the programme. Early submission is encouraged, with the deadline set for 30 April 2026. For informal enquiries, prospective applicants may contact Dr Jun Jiang at [email protected].

Further information about research in mechanical engineering at Imperial College London can be found at this link, and details of the EPSRC ADAPT‑EAF Green Steel programme are available here.