PhD Studentship: Dynamic Analysis of Particle-Based Long-Duration Energy Storage Systems

Application deadline: All year round
Research theme: Mechanical Engineering; Heat Transfer; Thermal Engineering; Energy Storage; Particle Dynamics

This 3.5-year PhD project is fully funded and home students are eligible to apply. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27) 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 focuses on the dynamic operation and intelligent control of particle-based long-duration energy storage systems under highly variable renewable energy input. As power systems increasingly depend on wind and solar generation, their inherent intermittency introduces major challenges for grid stability, flexibility, and efficient energy management. This research addresses these challenges by developing advanced methodologies for the optimal real-time operation of a high-temperature particle-based storage system.

The primary objective is to enable intelligent, real-time decision-making for charging and discharging operations under uncertain and rapidly changing renewable conditions. The system must dynamically respond to fluctuations in renewable supply, electricity demand, and price signals while maintaining high efficiency, operational reliability, and thermal safety. To achieve this, the project will develop predictive, physics-informed, and data-driven control frameworks that integrate system dynamics, renewable forecasting, and operational constraints.

Key research areas include transient system modelling, thermodynamic modelling, model predictive control, and AI-enabled energy management strategies capable of handling multi-timescale behaviour in both energy storage and renewable generation systems. The work will also explore digital twin technologies to support real-time monitoring, optimisation, and adaptive control of system performance.

The successful candidate will join a large international consortium comprising five leading UK industrial partners and more than 20 academic and research institutions across the UK, Europe, and the USA. This provides a unique opportunity to work in a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary environment spanning industry and academia, ensuring strong exposure to both cutting-edge research and real-world energy system applications.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

To apply please contact the main supervisor; Prof Yasser Mahmoudi Larimi  - yasser.mahmoudilarimi@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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