| Qualifications |
Duration |
Start dates |
Application period |
PhD
(MPhil also available) |
Full-time: 3–4 years
Part-time: 6–8 years |
February and October |
January to April |
Qualifications
PhD (MPhil also available) |
Duration
Full-time: 3–4 years
Part-time: 6–8 years |
Start dates
February and October |
Application period
January to April |
The OU Materials Engineering Group is internationally renowned for its work on the development and application of novel techniques for the measurement and analysis of residual stress. In addition to on-site equipment for residual stress analysis using X-ray diffraction, incremental hole drilling, and the contour method, we are intensive users of international neutron and synchrotron X-ray facilities.
The group hosts several full- and part-time research students, many of whom have a focus on residual stresses and their effect on the performance of engineering structures. Support is provided by academic, technical and research staff. Virtually all our projects are undertaken in partnership with industrial collaborators, and our projects provide excellent training in a range of experimental and analytical skills.
Entry requirements
Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). If you are not a UK citizen, you may need to prove your knowledge of English.
Potential research projects
Project areas are available depending on funding, but we would expect to recruit in the following general areas:
- Residual stresses in next generation nuclear power plant
- Advances in the contour method of residual stress measurement
- Development and application of novel methods of residual stress measurement
- Residual stress relaxation during post weld heat treatment of welded structures
Current/recent research projects
- Data-driven residual stress mapping tool using artificial intelligence
- Residual stress measurement in welded pipes for power plant applications
- Development and optimisation of cutting, measurement, and analysis methods for the novel contour method of residual stress measurement
- Residual stress measurement in aerospace components and assemblies
- Combined neutron imaging and diffraction: instrumentation and experimentation
- Development of a robotic positioning and tracking system for research laboratory
Potential supervisors
Fees and funding
| UK fee |
International fee |
| Full-time: £4,786 per year |
Full-time: £15,698 per year |
| Part-time: £2,393 per year |
Part-time: £7,849 per year |
For detailed information about fees and funding, visit Fees and studentships.
To see current funded studentship vacancies across all research areas, see Current studentships.
Links