Rolls-Royce and EPSRC Funded PhD - Experimental and Numerical Studies into the Wear of Articulating Spline Couplings for Aeroengine Applications

Applications are invited for an EPSRC Industrial Doctoral Landscape Awards (IDLA) PhD position at the University of Nottingham addressing the specific engineering details of the wear of articulating splines for aeroengine applications. The successful candidate will have a first-class or upper second-class honours degree in mechanical engineering or a related subject.

This studentship will attract a stipend up to £25,000 per annum for four years. The position arises from a long-standing engineering research relationship between the University of Nottingham and Rolls-Royce plc. Nottingham’s UTC in Gas Turbine Transmissions Systems will host this studentship and the candidate will sit within a community of PhD students at various stages of their study.

Spline couplings are key power-transmission components which allow torque to be transmitted between two shafts while also allowing for assembly/disassembly.  Building on a long history of work within the Transmissions UTC into the performance of spline couplings, this project will seek to further the fundamental understanding the wear behaviour of such components through both experimental and numerical studies. Experimental work will be carried out using a recently commissioned rig facility in the UTC allowing the validation of modelling tools.

This project has applications in creating more power dense systems which will facilitate increased use and efficiency of high power electrical systems, and also conventional mechanical power offtakes. Reducing the size and weight of these systems, while boosting power extraction is important to continuing to improve the efficiency of aeroengines.

This project is available from 1st October 2026. Applications accepted until post is filled. Informal inquiries can be made via email to Prof. Chris Bennett (c.bennett@nottingham.ac.uk).

Eligibility: Due to funding restrictions this position is only available to UK candidates.

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