Home / PhD Opportunities
15 Engineering Doctorate projects are currently advertised across the STAND-UP consortium, spanning robotics, inspection, advanced manufacturing and digital engineering. Filter by university to find the right project for you.
£26,000 per year, plus a significant project, travel and training budget. Open to UK home students.
Browse by university.
Ewan Nicolson · University of Strathclyde
Automated in-process ultrasonic inspection of high-integrity welds for BAE Systems submarine geometries. Targets more than 55% reduction in weld process time.
View projectPaul Murray · University of Strathclyde
Hyperspectral imaging techniques for non-destructive assessment of nuclear canisters, in partnership with Fraunhofer.
View projectMichael Ward · University of Strathclyde
Robotic welding and Wire+Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) of heavy steel components for the nuclear and maritime sector, hosted at the Maritime Supply Chain Innovation Centre.
View projectDr Ziwei Wang · Lancaster University
A tele-visual-tactile fusion framework for shared-autonomy teleoperation in contact-rich nuclear decommissioning, built on the Linkerbot platform.
View projectDr Ziwei Wang · Lancaster University
Real-time tactile inference on resource-constrained embedded hardware for blind insertion, seal engagement and contact-guided manipulation in nuclear maintenance.
View projectDavid Cheneler · Lancaster University
Autonomous underwater inspection systems for assessing the structural integrity of submarines, ship hulls and marine infrastructure using non-destructive testing.
View projectAngelo R. Maligno · University of Derby
A predictive digital engineering framework integrating ICME, physics-of-failure reliability modelling and AI-assisted digital twins for nuclear submarine systems.
View projectDr Paul Wood & Dr Urvashi Gunputh · University of Derby
Additive manufacturing of nuclear components to replace forgings, reduce welds, integrate sensors, and demonstrate regulatory compliance.
View projectDr Paul Wood & Dr Urvashi Gunputh · University of Derby
Understanding how machine-finish surface textures and chatter affect residual stress and fatigue life in nuclear heat-resisting alloys, to accelerate qualification of new materials and processes.
View projectJC Chaplin (TBC) · University of Nottingham
Preserving design intent across decades-long lifecycles. A semantic digital thread approach for design, manufacture, inspection, in-service and end-of-life.
View projectJC Chaplin (TBC) · University of Nottingham
Verification, validation and uncertainty qualification (VVUQ) for digital twins in nuclear manufacturing, with explicit handling of twin drift.
View projectJC Chaplin (TBC) · University of Nottingham
A new approach for defining robotic assembly philosophies in nuclear manufacturing that accommodates IAEA-style feature safety significance.
View projectDr Andrew Viquerat · University of Surrey
Embedded fibre-based strain sensors for in-situ monitoring and digital twinning of composite structures in civil and defence nuclear systems, with AWE as industry partner.
View projectEdoardo Patelli · University of Strathclyde
Causal inference and uncertainty-aware models to identify hidden root causes and predict long-term risk in nuclear infrastructure and associated assets.
View projectEdoardo Patelli · University of Strathclyde
Rapid, uncertainty-aware surrogate models that replace expensive simulations with results in seconds, with Rolls-Royce as a potential industry partner.
View projectAdditional STAND-UP EngD projects, including studentships from Birmingham and Cumbria, will be added throughout 2026. Subscribe via the contact page to be notified.
Read the application process and entry requirements, then contact the named supervisor or the programme team to start your application.
