PhD Studentship: Multiphysics CFD for Laser Manufacturing (Fully Funded, UK Only)

Join a fully funded, industry-sponsored PhD at the University of Nottingham (Mechanical & Aerospace Systems research group), in partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). You will push the limits of multiphysics CFD for laser manufacturing by developing a next-generation simulation capability for laser drilling (with relevance to additive manufacturing). Your work will capture compressible gas dynamics, heat transfer, free-surface/melt behaviour, and mass transfer driven by phase change, within a GPU-accelerated solver to reduce simulation turnaround times.

You will develop and validate new capabilities within XCALibre.jl, Nottingham’s GPU-accelerated, AI-ready CFD framework, turning complex coupled physics into practical tools that engineers can use in real manufacturing workflows. Expect close collaboration with industrial experts and the opportunity to see your algorithms influence aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors.

Funding and eligibility

• 3-year, full-time PhD studentship (UK only)
• Tax-free stipend: £25,000/year
• Full home tuition fees paid
• £2,000/year for consumables and travel
• MTC funding requires passing security checks prior to starting

Project aim
 Deliver a highly customisable multiphysics CFD framework for laser drilling and integrate it into accelerated industrial workflows. You will:

• Extend XCALibre.jl with new (traditional and/or AI-enhanced) models for laser-material interaction, gas dynamics and phase change
• Implement GPU-efficient algorithms and meshing strategies for substantial speed-ups
• Validate against MTC laser drilling use-cases and representative configurations.
• Package the outcome as a robust, modular, maintainable module/s within XCALibre.jl

Who we’re looking for
An enthusiastic, self-motivated candidate with a 1st or high 2:1 in computer science, mechanical engineering, or aerospace engineering. You should have programming experience applied to physics/engineering problems and/or experience with machine learning and ML.

The University of Nottingham is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. Engineering PGRs benefit from a strong research community, tailored training (writing, networking, career development), and outstanding facilities with leading industrial partners. The MTC is an independent UK Research & Technology Organisation accelerating disruptive manufacturing technologies.

Contact
Dr Humberto Medina (Humberto.medina@nottingham.ac.uk)

Closing date: 27 February 2026
Proposed start date: 5 October 2026

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