Postgraduate Research 2021

Mechanical Engineering

School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering | PhD

Entry Year

Academic Year 2021/22

Entry Requirements

2.1

Overview
Course content
Projects (32)
Entry Requirements
Fees and Funding
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Overview

Doing a PhD in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is a highly rewarding experience. You will carry out your research in a friendly and supportive environment, supervised by academics who are leaders in their field, using well-equipped laboratories and research facilities, alongside students from all over the world. We have around 100 students enrolled on a PhD at a time. The School has a vibrant PhD student mentoring programme and a student led Research Culture Committee.

The School’s research is focused around six interconnected research themes: Advanced Manufacturing and Processing, Future Aircraft, Composite Materials and Structures, Simulation Technologies, Clean Energy and Biomaterials and Biomechanics.

PhD opportunities are available in a wide range of subjects aligned to the specific expertise of our PhD supervisors. Many are linked with leading companies and organisations.

Key Facts

Research students are encouraged to play a full and active role in the research activities undertaken within the School. Students attend international conferences and participate in relevant external academic and industrial networks worldwide.

The School has strong links with both local and international engineering employers, and has longstanding relationships with companies such as Airbus, Caterpillar, ExxonMobil, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, Lotus, McLaren F1 and Rolls-Royce.
PhD research contributes to major interdisciplinary centres in the University, including:
•Northern Ireland Advanced Composites and Engineering Centre (NIACE)
•Polymer Processing Research Centre (PPRC)
•Northern Ireland Technology Centre (NITC)
The School has well equipped laboratories and great research facilities. PhD students share offices alongside postdoctoral staff. The School has Research Culture Committee to enhance the research environment of the School and support PhD students.

Apply now Register your interest

Course content

Career Prospects

Employment after the Course
Many of our PhD graduates have moved into academic and research roles in Higher Education while others go on to play leading roles in industry, industry or become entrepreneurs.

People teaching you

Dr Trevor Robinson
Doctoral Programme Director
Mech & Aerospace Engineering
Email: t.robinson@qub.ac.uk

Learning Outcomes

Course structure

You will carry out leading research under the guidance of your supervisory team. A full time student will normally complete in three years (up to a maximum of four), or part time over six years (up to a maximum of eight).

Research will usually be in one of the key, interlinked research themes in the School, and the subtopics they cover, include:-

Advanced Manufacturing and Processing - cost modelling, ergonomics, intelligent control, laser processing, life cycle analysis, material characterisation, mechatronics, parallel kinematic machines, polymer processing, robotics and ultra-precision manufacturing.

Future Aircraft - aero engines, aerodynamics, aeroelasticity, aircraft operations, design and analysis, optimisation and structural testing

Composite Materials and Structures -damage mechanics and crashworthiness, material characterisation, multifunctional composites and nano-enhanced composites

Simulation Technologies - FEA/CFD/EFG/DES/MD, kinematic modelling, meshing, multiscale/Multiphysics, optimisation, simulation intent, systems modelling, uncertainty quantification, virtual testing and design visual analytics and big data

Clean Energy - biofuels, catalysis, life cycle assessment, power systems, turbomachinery and waste management

Biomaterials and Biomechanics - biomimetics, material characterisation, mechanobiology and medical devices.

Also, over the course of study, you can attend postgraduate skills training organised by the Graduate School, or other internal and external training courses organised through your supervisor.

Show Closed

Project name	School	Funding	Subject	Status	Sort	Timestamp
Optimising mechanical properties and degradation profile of orthopaedic bone repair devices harmonised with tissue regeneration. School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Biomaterial, Tissue engineering, Medical implant Prof Fraser Buchanan Supervisor Prof Fraser Buchanan Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Unfunded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
Stiffness modelling and process planning of reconfigurable parallel robots considering gravity effects School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Parallel robots Stiffness modelling integrating gravity effects Process planning for optimised stiff Dr Yan Jin Supervisor Dr Yan Jin Funding Unfunded Dfe studentship Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Unfunded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
Design, development and control of a haptic device for eye surgery School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Haptic device Console of surgical robot Design of haptic device Maser slave control of surgical robo Dr Yan Jin Supervisor Dr Yan Jin Funding Funded Dfe studentship, Cathedral Eye Clinic Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
Measuring sustainability and circularity performance in plastic value networks to support linear to circular transition School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Plastic transition, circular economy, environmental impacts Dr Beatrice Smyth Supervisor Dr Beatrice Smyth Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Unfunded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
High precision control of a medical robot for eye surgery School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Medical robot Minimal Invasive surgery Calibration Closed-loop control Vision sensing Dr Yan Jin Supervisor Dr Yan Jin Funding Funded Dfe studentship, Cathedral Eye Clinic Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
Collaborative Studentship - Valorisation of Poultry Production Waste Streams – Finding Added Value via Collagen and Biopolymer Extraction School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Dr Eoin Cunningham Supervisor Dr Eoin Cunningham Funding Funded Collaborative Studentship Scheme Application deadline 30 June 2021	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2	1625007600
Energy modelling and management of machining by parallel kinematic machines School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Parallel Kinematic Machines Energy modelling Green manufacturing Process optimisation Dr Yan Jin Supervisor Dr Yan Jin Funding Unfunded Dfe studentship Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Unfunded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
ACRG: Structural performance of composite structures: A combined finite element and experimental investigation School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Finite element analysis, Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, multi-scale modelling, solid mec Dr Zahur Ullah Supervisor Dr Zahur Ullah Funding Unfunded Application deadline 28 February 2021	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Unfunded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2	1614470400
Smart and sustainable polymer nanocomposites School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Polymer, Material, Composite, Nanomaterial, Biomaterial, Smart Material, Sustainability, Energy Professor Biqiong Chen Supervisor Professor Biqiong Chen Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Unfunded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
Innovative design capability of turbine blade using additive manufacturing School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Turbomachinery, Additive Manufacturing, CFD, Optimization Dr Sung in Kim Supervisor Dr Sung in Kim Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Unfunded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
Biohaviour: Human Robot Collaborative Manufacture School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Human robot collaboration Combined intelligence Smart manufacturing Virtual reality Aircraft assembl Dr Yan Jin Supervisor Dr Yan Jin Funding Funded Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
Efficient product simulation approaches to enable bio-inspired design (Biohaviour) School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Modelling, Simulation, FEA Engineering Design Dr Declan Nolan Supervisor Dr Declan Nolan Funding Funded Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
Biohaviour: Generative Design Systems for Airframe Structures School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Generative design, geometry modelling, additive manufacturing, parameterisation, digital twin, airfr Professor Mark Price Supervisor Professor Mark Price Funding Funded Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
Biohaviour: Novel geometric modelling methods for generative design systems School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Generative design, geometry modelling, additive manufacturing, parameterisation, level set, digital Dr Trevor Robinson Supervisor Dr Trevor Robinson Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Unfunded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
ACRG: Development of Cellulosic Structural and Semi-structural Sustainable Composites School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Dr Eoin Cunningham Supervisor Dr Eoin Cunningham Funding Funded Application deadline 28 February 2021	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2	1614470400
ACRG: Uncertainty propagation across scales for composite laminates School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Dr Humberto Almeida Jr Supervisor Dr Humberto Almeida Jr Funding Funded Application deadline 31 March 2021	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2	1617145200
Compostable Biopolymer Food Packaging Development School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Compostable Packaging Biopolymers Agri Waste Valorisation Packaging Dr Eoin Cunningham Supervisor Dr Eoin Cunningham Funding Unfunded Application deadline 28 February 2021	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Unfunded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2	1614470400
Design and performance analysis of expansion device systems for the next generation of hypersonic vehicles School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD CFD, Expansion device systems, non-equilibrium flow. Dr Marco Geron Supervisor Dr Marco Geron Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Unfunded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
Advanced manufacturing of aircraft composite structures School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Aircraft assembly, CFRP composite, advanced manufacturing, drilling, orbital drilling Dr Dan Sun Supervisor Dr Dan Sun Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Unfunded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
Computer Aided Engineering for sustainable packaging School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Simulation, Sustainability, Finite Element, Optimisation, Packaging Professor Gary Menary Supervisor Professor Gary Menary Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Unfunded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
Composite as coating for Bioimplants to Achieve Enhanced Functionality School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Tissue scaffold, drug delivery, antibacterial, multifunction, bone repair. Dr Dan Sun Supervisor Dr Dan Sun Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Unfunded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
Bio-Inspired Aircraft Design Enabled through Advanced Manufacturing Processes School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Aircraft design, bio-inspired design, biomimetics, systems engineering, advanced manufacturing, desi Dr Danielle Soban Supervisor Dr Danielle Soban Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Unfunded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2
Retail electricity trading for a low carbon economy School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Sustainable; energy; carbon; electricity; power systems; retail markets; electric vehicles; heat pum Dr Aoife Foley Supervisor Dr Aoife Foley Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 30 July 2021	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2	1627599600
Understanding wing response to flight manoeuvres and gusts for novel aircraft School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Engineering Design, Structural Design Prof. Adrian Murphy Supervisor Prof. Adrian Murphy Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 31 August 2021	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2	1630364400
Windmilling Predictions for Novel Aircraft School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Engineering Design, Structural Design Dr Damian Quinn Supervisor Dr Damian Quinn Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 20 August 2021	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2	1629414000
ACRG: Towards certification by simulation of bird-strike event on composite wing leading edges School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Computational modelling, Basic, material characterisation/testing, Basic material selection Professor Brian Falzon Supervisor Professor Brian Falzon Funding Funded Application deadline 31 March 2021	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2	1617145200
ACRG: Using deep learning for predictive composites manufacturing process degradation School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Deep learning; Artificial intelligence; Composites manufacturing; Composite structures, Aerostructur Professor Brian Falzon Supervisor Professor Brian Falzon Funding Funded QUB and Spirit AeroSystems Application deadline 31 March 2021	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2	1617145200
ACRG: Cyber - physical methods for the design and process verification of complex composite aerostructures School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Composite structures; Advanced composites manufacturing; Cyber-physical modelling; Digital twin; Unc Professor Paul Maropoulos Supervisor Professor Paul Maropoulos Funding Funded QUB & Spirit AeroSystems Application deadline 31 March 2021	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2	1617145200
ACRG: High temperature composite nacelle structure School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Composite structures; Composite materials; Computational modelling; Finite element analysis; Materi Professor Brian Falzon Supervisor Professor Brian Falzon Funding Funded QUB and Spirit Aerosystems Application deadline 31 March 2021	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2	1617145200
ACRG:Hybrid titanium–CFRP thermoplastic laminates for bolted joints of high-performance vessels School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Professor Brian Falzon Supervisor Professor Brian Falzon Funding Funded Application deadline 31 March 2021	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2	1617145200
Novel Layup Optimisation Methods in Design and Manufacture of Advanced Fibre Rienforced Laminated Composites School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Fibre-reinforced composite laminates, Double-Doubles, Design, Aerostructures, Optimisation Dr M. Ali Aravand Supervisor Dr M. Ali Aravand Funding Funded Application deadline 31 March 2021	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2	1617145200
Interaction-aware Decision Making and Control of Autonomous Vehicles School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering \| PHD Intelligent Vehicles, Autonomous Driving, Decision Making, Multi-agent, Reinforcement Learning Dr Chongfeng Wei Supervisor Dr Chongfeng Wei Funding Funded Application deadline 15 August 2021	School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering	Funded	Mechanical Engineering	Open	2	1628982000

Entrance requirements

Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component (*taken within the last 2 years) is required.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) ¹	£4,500
Republic of Ireland (ROI) ²	£4,500
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) ¹	£4,500
EU Other ³	£22,000
International	£22,000

¹ EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

² It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees, in line with the Common Travel Agreement arrangements. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

³ EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted are for the academic year 2021-22, and relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Mechanical Engineering costs

There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

Additional course costs

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.

How do I fund my study?

1.PhD Opportunities

Find PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.

2.Funded Doctoral Training Programmes

We offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.

3.PhD loans

The Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students, £10,000 for students in Scotland and up to £5,500 for Northern Ireland students.

4.International Scholarships

Information on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students.

Funding and Scholarships

The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a supervisor

If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

Apply now Register your interest