Advanced Manufacturing for Drinking Water Infrastructure (Industry-Partnered PhD with United Utilities

Manchester Metropolitan University, in collaboration with United Utilities, invites applications for a PhD exploring how advanced manufacturing technologies can support more sustainable and resilient clean water infrastructure.

Based within PrintCity and the Surface Engineering Group at the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMMIC), this project will investigate how additive manufacturing (3D printing) and surface coating technologies can be used to redesign and produce polymer components for use in drinking water systems. The research will evaluate how these approaches can improve sustainability, repairability, durability, and operational resilience, while ensuring materials and components meet relevant UK drinking water regulatory requirements.

The successful candidate will work across academic and industrial research environments, accessing state-of-the-art manufacturing, testing, and characterisation facilities at Manchester Met and collaborating closely with industry specialists at United Utilities. The project aligns with the University’s sustainability ambitions and offers strong potential for peer-reviewed publications and wider sector impact.

Applicants should have a background in engineering, materials science, manufacturing, or a related discipline, and an interest in advanced manufacturing, surface technologies, or sustainable infrastructure.

Project aims and objectives

Aim: To explore how advanced manufacturing and surface technologies can be used to develop more sustainable and resilient components for drinking water systems.

Objectives:

• Identify suitable water infrastructure components that could benefit from redesign using additive manufacturing (3D printing).
• Develop and optimise materials and surface treatments to ensure components meet UK drinking water regulatory requirements.
• Experimentally test and evaluate mechanical performance, durability, and long-term reliability.
• Assess environmental and operational benefits, including repairability, resilience, and whole-life carbon performance, compared with conventional manufacturing methods.

Funding

Only Home students can apply. Home tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3.5-year award, which is £5,238 for the year 2026/27.

The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £21,805 for the academic year 2026/27.

Specific requirements of the candidate

Essential

• A strong background in engineering, materials science, manufacturing, or a closely related discipline.
• Ability to plan and conduct experimental research safely and systematically.
• Skills in analysing and interpreting data and critically evaluating research literature.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Interest or experience in additive manufacturing, polymer processing, surface coatings, materials testing, or design for manufacture.
• Willingness to work collaboratively with an industrial partner and engage across university and industry environments.

How to apply

Professor Carl Diver (C.Diver@mmu.ac.uk) will lead the project as Principal Supervisor. Please get in touch with the proposed Principal Supervisor if you have any queries regarding the project. 

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full time PhD in Engineering. 

Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form, and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal. If you encounter any difficulty uploading them to the designated area, please get in touch with the PGR Admissions team (pgradmissions@mmu.ac.uk).

Expected start date: October 2026.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-CD-2026-27-Additive Manufacturing Water

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