AMP - Acoustically assisted Manufacturing of Functional Polymers University of Warwick in United Kingdom

[Full tuition fees plus a tax-free stipend currently £21,805 at the prevailing UKRI rate for 3.5 years, plus a £5,000 research training support grant.]

AMP - Acoustically assisted Manufacturing of Functional Polymers is a funded PhD opportunity at the University of Warwick in the School of Engineering.

The project explores how sound and ultrasound can be used to engineer the internal structure of polymer materials during manufacturing. You will investigate how acoustic fields can organise filler particles and influence crystallisation in polymer composites, moving from room-temperature, low-viscosity systems to high-temperature polymer melts relevant to extrusion and other industrial processing methods.

This is a predominantly experimental PhD with a strong materials-processing and modelling component. You will design and build an acoustic patterning system using ultrasonic transducers and waveguides, supported by multiphysics modelling of acoustic fields, particle motion, and polymer behaviour. You will also use advanced microscopy and structural characterisation, together with measurements of thermal, electrical, mechanical, and responsive properties, to understand how the material structure evolves and how that affects performance.

The research sits at the intersection of acoustics, polymer processing, nanocomposites, ultrasound-controlled crystallisation, and functional materials manufacturing. The project is designed to develop new ways of creating composites with tailored directional properties for applications such as smart sensing, tactile technologies, and resilient infrastructure. You will work within an interdisciplinary team and gain experience in experimental ultrasonics, composite fabrication, high-temperature processing, COMSOL modelling, and advanced materials characterisation.

The scholarship is funded by EPSRC and is open to both home and international students. The award covers full tuition fees, plus a tax-free stipend currently £21,805 at the prevailing UKRI rate for 3.5 years of full-time study. It also includes a £5,000 research training support grant. The deadline is 31 October 2026.

Applicants should hold a good 2.1 or 1st class degree in Engineering, Physics or an equivalent subject. The project is especially suited to candidates with interests in acoustics, ultrasound, manufacturing, and polymer composites, alongside strong experimental and analytical abilities. Academic writing skills would be beneficial, and training will be provided across the relevant methods.

To apply, submit an expression of interest through the application link, including a CV and a supporting statement outlining your skills and research interests. If successful, you will be invited to submit a formal application. Applicants must meet University of Warwick entry criteria and obtain an unconditional offer before enrolment.

The School of Engineering holds an Athena Gold award, reflecting a commitment to gender equality and a supportive environment, and applications from underrepresented backgrounds are particularly encouraged.