Postgraduate research opportunities Fully Funded PhD studentships within Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Ultrasonic Engineering (FUSE CDT)

FUSE training is the first such ultrasonic engineering programme in the world. The research degree for each student usually spans four years. The first 12 months contain two taught semesters for full time students. This is followed by 36 months on a doctoral research project and submission of a thesis for final examination.

Applicants to the CDT have two options for choosing a research project: either ‘pre-alignment’ with a research project advertised in 2023, or ‘open entry’ whereby researchers choose their project in Spring 2024. Every project will have at least one external industrial partner, to allow each student to initiate, confirm and deepen activity in a preferred sub-specialism. Potential research areas include medical diagnostics, therapy and surgery; robotically enabled sensing; non-destructive inspection; haptic ultrasound; industrial process control; underwater SONAR and ultrasonic communications; instrumentation; simulation.

In the majority of cases, a FUSE CDT student will gain a PhD. A PhD involves a single project, or a set of projects following a single pathway. PhD students work in either university, or between them, and may spend periods of several weeks with external partners. Alternatively, a FUSE CDT student may complete an EngD, which involves a set of projects within a single area, or a portfolio of short projects in a broader area. EngD students spend, typically, 50 - 75% of their time with an external industrial partner. Every PhD or EngD has at least one external partner, drawn from the total of more than 40 already committed to FUSE and from others who will join the community. Each external partner contributes to creation of the research topic and provides on-going mentoring and supervision.

Alongside technical training, FUSE students benefit from a professional skills programme including key topics such as data management, project management, and communications in their 1st year and topics aimed at enhancing impact. The courses include input from external partners to match the skills demanded of future technology leaders. Students are supported to own their development, including through public engagement activities and delivering research impact.

FUSE CDT has also partnered with iMechE MPDS to provide support for FUSE CDT students to gain professional registration as a Chartered Engineer. There is also the option to gain STEM Ambassador status through our programme.

We welcome part-time students, supporting them individually as part of our Equality, Diversity and Integration Action Plan. Most importantly, interaction with full-time peers and other doctoral research students will be maximised to play a full part in FUSE.