Research Studentship in Tidal Stream Energy (PhD/DPhil) University of Oxford in United Kingdom

[Course fees covered at Home/ROI rate (£10,470 p.a. in 2026/7) plus UKRI stipend (£20,780 p.a. in 2026/7). Fees for international students only covered at Home rate.]

The University of Oxford invites applications for a fully funded 3.5-year D.Phil. (PhD) studentship in Tidal Stream Energy, commencing October 2026. This position is part of the flagship EPSRC-funded CoTide research programme, which focuses on developing scalable solutions for tidal stream energy using hydrokinetic turbines. The CoTide project is the largest tidal energy research initiative in the UK, involving four universities and over twenty industry partners, and aims to accelerate the deployment of innovative renewable energy technologies to support climate change objectives and the transition to Net Zero.

Supervised by a team of leading academics—Prof. Richard Willden, Prof. Chris Vogel, Prof. Tom Adcock, Prof. Paul Goulart, Dr Amanda Smyth, Dr Federico Zilic de Arcos, and Dr Emma Edwards—the successful candidate will join the Environmental Fluid Mechanics group and work within a vibrant Oxford-based team of over twenty-five engineers. Research areas include turbine hydrodynamics and design, resource modelling, naval architecture, ocean engineering, system optimisation, and control co-design. The project leverages advanced numerical modelling, optimisation techniques, high performance computing, and experimental facilities such as the current and wave flume.

Applicants should have a strong academic background in engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or a related discipline, with interests and preferably experience in fluid mechanics or offshore renewable energy. Essential requirements include a first class honours or strong upper second class degree, ability to conduct experimental investigations and/or scientific programming (Matlab, Python, Fortran, C/C++), and excellent English communication skills. Experience in computational or experimental fluid dynamics is desirable but not essential.

The studentship is open to both UK and international applicants, though tuition fees are covered only at the Home/ROI rate (£10,470 per annum for 2026/7). A tax-free maintenance stipend is provided at the UKRI rate (£20,780 per annum for 2026/7). Further details about fee status and eligibility are available on the University website. The successful candidate will be expected to submit a research proposal as part of their application, identifying their specific area of interest within the project scope.

To apply, candidates must submit a graduate application form via the University of Oxford website, quoting ENGCI_RW in all correspondence and their application. Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Prof. Richard Willden at [email protected]. The application deadline is noon on 2nd December 2025, with the studentship starting in October 2026. For more information about the CoTide project and the Environmental Fluid Mechanics group, visit cotide.ac.uk and eng.ox.ac.uk/efm.