PhD Studentship: Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Winding Development for Electric Motors

The Manufacturing Technology Centre UK, and  University of Nottingham 

This project offers an exciting opportunity to undertake industrially linked research with leading engineers at the UK's premier hub for advanced manufacturing, i.e.,  Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).  and  with academics from the globally renowned Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Institute, University of Nottingham. The project will be supported by the state-of-the-art electric motor manufacturing platforms at both locations, providing the student with hands-on industrial experience as well as cutting-edge research insight.

Description

Electrification is the key to achieving a sustainable future in transportation. To meet the UK’s Net Zero 2050 goals, electric motors must undergo a transformational leap—from today’s typical power densities of 2–5 kW/kg to a step-change 10–25 kW/kg by 2035. The highest power dense motors today rely on unsustainable materials and on carbon-intensive manufacturing processes. This is posing major environmental and ethical challenges.

The project will motivate the PhD student to develop next generation electric motors with advanced CNT windings, a promising alternative to traditional copper and aluminium windings. After gaining hands-on experience in characterising CNT properties, the PhD student will lead the development of novel motor topologies optimised for this cutting-edge material. Supported by experienced supervisors, the student will be able to design, model, and validate working prototypes aimed at powering the next generation of electric vehicles and aerospace propulsion systems. The skills developed in this PhD are highly transferable and will offer career pathways across sectors including renewable energy, automotive, aerospace, and advanced materials.

Funding:

• Annual tuition fee of £5,006 fully  funded for 3 years
• Tax-free annual stipend of £25,000 (equivalent to £32,000 industry gross salary) for 3 years
• An additional £2,000 per annum for consumables and travel

Requirements

• The candidate should have a 1st or high 2:1 degree in electrical/mechanical engineering, physics, mathematics, or related disciplines.
• Skills in numerical tools and programming are desirable.
• Any experience in engineering design or manufacturing would be advantageous.

Eligibility and Application

• Due to funding restrictions, the position is only available for UK home candidates.
• As sponsored by MTC, the successful candidate would need to pass the sponsors’ own security checks before starting the PhD.
• PhD Start date: 1 October 2025 
• Application deadline: 30 June 2025

Please apply via the ‘Apply’ button above.

For further information please email Professor Chris Gerada, Dr. Tianjie Zou  (University of Nottingham) and Dan Walton (MTC).

Facilities

The MTC is an independent Research and Technology Organisation aimed at de-risking and accelerating the adoption of disruptive technologies within the UK manufacturing sphere. Supported by the UK government, the MTC works closely with industrial partners and other research organisations to deliver world leading innovation across all levels of the UK’s industrial landscape, from SMEs and start-ups to OEMs and large-scale global manufacturers.

The PEMC Institute is home to Driving the Electric Revolution Midlands Industrialisation Centre and the UK Electrification of Aerospace Propulsion Facilities, which have received over £20m of funding in the last three years. This 5000m² institute with state-of-the-art facilities for research into electrification technologies, hosting 21 academics and over 80 PhD students, will be made available for this project. The university actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.  

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