University of Derby
1 week ago
University of Derby Studentship
MPhil/PhD Studentship in Physics-Informed Vibration-Based Structural Health Monitoring of Wheel-Rail Contact Defects University of Derby in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Full-time MPhil/PhD studentship for 3 years. Funding includes a maintenance stipend of £21,805 per year (UKRI minimum for 2026/27) plus UK home tuition fees of £5,238, subject to amendment, up to the target submission date. International-fee applicants must pay the difference between home and international fees.
Deadline
Nov 8, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Derby
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About this position
MPhil/PhD studentship at the University of Derby in the College of Science and Engineering, focused on physics-informed vibration-based structural health monitoring of wheel-rail contact defects.
This project sits at the intersection of mechanical engineering, railway engineering, dynamics, vibration analysis, signal processing, numerical modelling, and machine learning. The research will investigate how vibration measurements and physics-informed machine learning (PIML) can detect and assess wheel and rail defects such as wheel flats, corrugation, and localised damage. The successful candidate will develop physics-based models of wheel-rail interaction, generate and analyse vibration datasets, and build interpretable AI methods constrained by physical principles.
The studentship is full-time for 3 years and includes a maintenance stipend of £21,805 per year plus UK home tuition fees of £5,238 (subject to amendment). International applicants may need to defer to March 2027 for CAS and visa processing, and international-fee students must pay the difference between home and international fees.
Applicants should submit a personal statement, CV, qualification details, photo ID, and preferably academic references. The personal statement must be 500 words and explain suitability, motivation, relevant experience, and previous studies. Applications must be submitted online and quote funding reference QR_SE_VIBRATION_2627. Deadline: 8 November 2026. Interviews are scheduled for 20 November 2026 to 26 November 2026.
Subject-specific enquiries: Dr Uchenna Diala and Dr Parvaneh Zare at the University of Derby.
Funding details
Full-time MPhil/PhD studentship for 3 years. Funding includes a maintenance stipend of £21,805 per year (UKRI minimum for 2026/27) plus UK home tuition fees of £5,238, subject to amendment, up to the target submission date. International-fee applicants must pay the difference between home and international fees.
What's required
Applicants should review the entry requirements before applying. A 500-word personal statement is mandatory and should explain suitability, reasons for applying, relevant experience in the field, how the studentship would benefit the applicant, and previous studies. Applicants must also provide a CV, qualification details including grades and dates, photo ID, and preferably two signed academic references; references are mandatory for admission if successful. International applicants may need to apply through an agent depending on country of origin, and may need to defer to March 2027 for CAS and visa processing.
How to apply
Submit the application through the university’s online application system and quote funding reference QR_SE_VIBRATION_2627 at the top of your personal statement. Upload the required documents and apply before 8 November 2026. For subject-specific enquiries, contact Dr Uchenna Diala or Dr Parvaneh Zare by email.
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