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PhD in Computational Mechanics and Data-Driven Modelling of Composite Materials The University of Manchester in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
This is a fully funded 3.5-year PhD studentship. Eligible students who can pay tuition fees at the Home rate will receive tuition fee coverage and an annual tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27), with the stipend expected to increase each year. International applicants are welcome if they hold or intend to apply for external funding.
Deadline
Dec 21, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
The University of Manchester
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About this position
PhD opportunity at The University of Manchester in Computational Mechanics and Data-Driven Modelling of Composite Materials.
This 3.5-year project is centered on the mechanics of composite materials, defect-informed damage modelling, interpretable physics-informed machine learning, and multiscale modelling. The research will build on in-house computational frameworks using X-ray computed tomography data and mechanistic finite element models to study how manufacturing defects affect the performance of fibre-reinforced polymer composites.
Research themes include: computational mechanics, nonlinear finite element analysis, image-based modelling, machine learning for solid mechanics, and multiscale modelling of composite microstructures.
Funding: fully funded for eligible Home-rate students, with tuition fees paid and an annual UKRI-rate stipend of £21,805 for 2026/27. International applicants may apply if they have or intend to secure external funding.
Eligibility: applicants should have or expect at least a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field. Helpful experience includes mechanics of composites or multiphase materials, finite element modelling (Abaqus/Ansys/COMSOL), deep learning, Python, or MATLAB.
Location: Manchester, England, United Kingdom. Start date: January 2027. Deadline: 21 December 2026.
Informal enquiries: Dr Dimitrios Bikos ([email protected]).
Funding details
This is a fully funded 3.5-year PhD studentship. Eligible students who can pay tuition fees at the Home rate will receive tuition fee coverage and an annual tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27), with the stipend expected to increase each year. International applicants are welcome if they hold or intend to apply for external funding.
What's required
Applicants should hold or expect to obtain at least a 2.1 honours degree or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline. Desirable background or interest includes mechanics of composites or multiphase materials, data-driven modelling and machine learning, or computational mechanics. Applicants should demonstrate at least one technical skill such as finite element modelling (implicit or explicit) using Abaqus, Ansys, or COMSOL, deep learning-based approaches, or programming in Python or MATLAB. Candidates must meet the University of Manchester's academic requirements for PhD enrolment; international applicants should also have or plan external funding.
How to apply
Prepare a CV, details of your current studies, academic background, and any relevant experience. International candidates should also include a funding plan. Submit via the jobs.ac.uk application link provided in the post, and contact Dr Dimitrios Bikos for informal enquiries if needed.
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the provider.