PhD Studentship: Integrating AI Foundation Models with Physical Knowledge for Sustainable Formulation Design

Application deadline: 31/01/2026
Research theme: Chemical Engineering

This 4 year PhD project is fully funded and home students, and EU students with settled status, are eligible to apply. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26) and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2026.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

This PhD project will develop generative hybrid models that integrate AI foundation models with physical knowledge for sustainable formulation design. Using different data-driven feature representations, AI foundation models will generate chemical embeddings to predict key physicochemical properties. Coupled with first-principle mechanistic models, the framework will improve accuracy, interpretability, and enable inverse design of novel, sustainable mixtures. This approach reduces costly experimentation and supports the industrial partner's transition to greener, high-performance consumer products.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 1st honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

To apply, please contact the main supervisor; Dr Zhang - dongda.zhang@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

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