About the Project

Developing a deterministic prediction of the specular component of reflections from an evolving melting surface due to high energy laser irradiation.

Are you passionate about developing novel research and keen to shape the future of energy transfer technologies in areas such as, laser interactions, plasma physics and materials science and engineering? We are recruiting a motivated PhD candidate to undertake an exciting project within the EPSRC Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub.

As a student of the Hub, you will receive an enhanced stipend of £24,780 per year, plus additional funds of £7,000 a year for travel, conferences and research equipment. This project is co- funded by MBDA.

In recent years there have been multiple advances in numerical tool development for the simulation of the interactions of high energy laser with metallic substrates. These simulations predominantly focus on the evolution of the material and the dynamic effect this has on the incident laser beam.

In real world scenarios, we must also consider the potential collateral effects which may be present, particularly due to reflections of high energy laser light. This project will concern the development of the ray tracing aspect of an advanced numerical tool in order to predict the specular reflections from an evolving melting surface, informing safety cases that might otherwise limit real world use.

The main objectives of this project are: 

• Utilisation of state-of-the-art mathematical and numerical descriptions of laser-substrate interactions, including ray-tracing approaches, to understand how laser-beams are reflected from substrates with complex topology that evolves in a highly transient manner
• Determination of fundamental laser behaviour at the substrate-interface to quantify penetration behaviour and laser reflection characteristics

The Hub

The Doctoral Hub specialises in developing research and training the next generation of leaders in energy transfer technologies for defence and related sectors. The successful candidate will be based at The University of Manchester and throughout their PhD will benefit from the support and expertise of our diverse academic community, a community of students working towards similar goals, as well as our specialist industrial network.

Why Join Us?

• Industrial Collaboration: Each PhD student within the Hub is partnered with an industry collaborator, providing placement opportunities to work and train alongside industry experts.
• Comprehensive Training: The Hub offers a blend of academic and industrial training, preparing you for diverse career pathways in research or industry.
• Cohort Experience: Build your research network through inclusion in a vibrant cohort of PhD students that conduct research with academic leaders across leading UK institutions. Engage in online and face-to-face activities, including cohort-building events and collaborative learning exercises.
• Funding: A generous fully funded studentship (no fees and a monthly personal payment) with additional support for conferences, travel, training, consumables and extended placement with industry collaborators.

Key Details

• Host Institution: The University of Manchester
• Industry Partner: MBDA
• PhD Duration: 4 years
• Start Date: 1st October 2025
• Enhanced stipend of £24,780

The industrial partner, MBDA, is a major international company with interests in laser-substrate interaction. The partner will provide PhD supervision, a placement and be part of the larger Hub community benefiting in the diverse academic and industrial network offered by the Hub.

Eligibility

PhD Candidates must hold a minimum of an upper Second-Class UK Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline. Candidates must be UK Nationals and be willing to apply for and able to obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance. 

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

The Hub is committed to improving diversity within the sector and as such we aim to provide an inclusive environment in which all students can thrive. We particularly encourage applications from women, disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, and students from low-income/ non-typical backgrounds to apply. We can also consider part time PhD students. We encourage and support talented individuals from various STEM backgrounds with ambition and an interest in making a difference.

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