PhD Studentships at the Department of Engineering, School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science, University of Hertfordshire

Overview

• Qualification type: PhD
• Subject area: Various
• Location/Campus: University of Hertfordshire / College Lane Campus
• Start date: January 2026 (or as soon as possible after that)
• Closing application date: 17/11/2025
• Full-time/ part-time availability (duration i.e 3 years): Full-time only (3-years)

Project outline

The University of Hertfordshire is ranked as the top post-92 university in the Research Excellence Framework (REF). It is in the top 25% of all universities in terms of research impact. 78% of the University’s research has been ranked as ‘world leading’ (4*) and ‘internationally excellent’ (3*) while 90% of its research has been classified as having ‘outstanding’ (4*) or ‘very considerable’ (3*) impact.

The Centre for Engineering Research and the Network and Security Research Centre invite applications for a limited number of fully funded PhD studentships at the School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science of the University of Hertfordshire. This is an exciting opportunity to undertake a 3-year PhD studentship to work in SPECTRA, the brand-new facility of the School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science. The work involves utilization of the state-of-the-art research laboratories of the Centre for Engineering Research and Network and Security Research Centre. The successful candidates will work in a multi-disciplinary, collaborative environment that fosters innovation through high quality research and development.

The studentships are offered on a full-time basis for three years from January 2026 (subject to satisfactory progress) and provide a bursary of approximately £20,700 per annum and full tuition fee waiver for three years.

Applications are welcome on any of the research project areas set out below. Please note that we will not be able to consider applications outside these areas.

Centre for Engineering Research Funded PhD Areas

• Innovative Treatment Solutions for Upcycling of Construction and Demolition Waste
• Damage Mechanics of Composite Structures for Renewable Energy Applications
• Energy Generating Coastal Defences
• Ceramic-based Thermal Storage Structures
• Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures
• Non-Linear Dynamic Behaviour of Composite Structures for Renewable Energy Applications
• Process and Performance Optimisation of Two-Step Additively Manufactured Metallic and/or Ceramic Components

Network and Security Research Centre Funded PhD Areas

• Next Generation Wireless Communication Systems
• Radio Frequency or Antenna Technologies
• Power Systems or Electric Energy Systems or Renewable Energy Systems
• Cybersecurity and Computing Systems
• Virtual and Augmented Reality
• Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence

Supervisors

For more information and informal enquires about the topics listed above contact:

Professor Iosif Mporas (i.mporas@herts.ac.uk) - Director of the Network and Security Research Centre

Dr Antonios Kanellopoulos (a.kanellopoulos@herts.ac.uk) - Director of the Centre for Engineering Research

Entry requirements

Essential

• Applicants must have a First-Class Honours or Upper Second-Class Honours (or equivalent) in a relevant field to the research project they are applying for.
• Ability to implement specialised innovative ideas into practice
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage time independently to meet deadlines.
• Problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written English communication skills, including the ability to communicate with clarity on complex information.
• Excellent IT literacy.
• Applicants must be self-motivated.

Desirable

• A relevant master’s degree will be an advantage.
• Publications in high-impact international journals and conferences.

Eligibility

The studentship is open to UK/EU and international applicants.

How to Apply

Applicants are required to provide the following documents:

• A completed application form (download the application form). In section 11 of the application form state clearly which of the above research topics you are applying for.
• A cover letter explaining their interest in the proposed project area and the relevance of their background to the proposed project area
• An up-to-date CV
• Two academic references - to be sent direct from the referee to the doctoral college
• Copies of qualification certificates and transcripts
• Certification of English language competence (minimum IELTS 6.5 or equivalent) for candidates for whom English is not their first language.

Please send completed applications, choosing one of the available project titles and the reference number shown above, to Doctoral College at doctoralcollegeadmissions@herts.ac.uk. Please insert the following in the email subject line: “CER - NSRC Research Studentships”.

Closing date for applications: 17 November 2025.

Interview dates: TBC

Expected studentship start date: 1 January 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter).

Funding information

The award includes cover for UK home or international tuition fees and a stipend at standard UKRI rates. For 2025-2026 this is set at £20,700. The stipends usually increase annually in line with inflation. Applicants from outside the UK or EU are eligible.

Applicants who need a student visa will be required to pay for this themselves along with the Immigration Health Surcharge. For more information, please visit our website:

Student visa - https://ask.herts.ac.uk/tier-4-visa-application-fees

Immigration Health Surcharge - https://ask.herts.ac.uk/immigration-health-surcharge