Doctoral research 

The University of Birmingham has more than 2500 doctoral researchers working alongside our academics. Strong links with energy industries, other universities and Doctoral Training Centres mean the on graduating our students are well equipped for careers in both academia and industry.

Opportunities regularly arise across all of our energy research fields. For information on funding that may be available and opportunities for projects, please get in touch with the main contact related to your research interest. Birmingham’s Find a PhD service can help you find current project opportunities.

Doctoral Training Centres

Hydrogen Fuel Cells and their Applications

The University of Birmingham leads the UK’s Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and their Applications. Through a 4-year PhD programme, the CDT trains generations of scientists and engineers to address the multidisciplinary challenges involved in the development and application of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

For more information please contact Mr John Hooper: hfc@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Efficient Power from Fossil Energy and Carbon Capture Technologies

Birmingham is a partner in the EPSRC funded Industrial Doctoral Training Centre, hosted by the University of Nottingham, training EngD students in a multidisciplinary environment.

For more information please contact Dr Brian Connolly at: b.j.collolly@bham.ac.uk

UK Nuclear Engineering Doctoral Training Centre

IThe University of Birmingham is a consortium member of the UK Nuclear Engineering Doctoral Training Centre led by the University of Manchester and Imperial College.  The scheme offers a fully funded EngD in Nuclear Engineering over four years, incorporating taught elements with the research project, which is undertaken in industry. In all, you will spend 75% of your time as a research engineer at your sponsoring company, not just working in the nuclear industry but undertaking research that pushes back its boundaries.

Projects could involve research into decommissioning, reactor materials, waste disposal or reactor technology. As with most modern research these EngDs are highly interdisciplinary. Applications are encouraged from a wide range of backgrounds, especially from those with degrees in Aerospace, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Materials, Mechanical Engineering and Physics.

For more information please contact Professor Martin Freer at m.freer@bham.ac.uk.