Complete your research degree with a highly experienced group that works closely with industry on theoretical and applied research. Benefit from expert guidance and first class facilities. Your programme will be supported by our Engineering Analysis, Simulation and Tribology (EAST) group, which embraces the core disciplines of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and heat transfer. As one of our research students, you’ll be immersed in an innovative, highly equipped research environment, with your thesis project supervised and supported by an expert team. This team has strong industry connections which could benefit your studies, including collaborations with The Ford Motor Company, Cellbond Composites, Anotronic Ltd and Rolls Royce. Much of our research focuses on the study of non-linear problems as applied to mechanical energy absorbers, from localised shell and panel buckling to simplified models with modified material cards. We’re very much at the forefront of modelling these events in vehicles and impact barriers during crash tests, using HYPERWORKS, LS-DYNA 3D, ANSYS and PAMCRASH. This has given us a high profile in the motor and other engineering industries. If you've already conducted research and published work that demonstrates an independent and original contribution to knowledge in this field of you may wish to apply for a PhD by Published Work.

We work closely with industrial partners and in the past our research students have been recruited by sponsoring companies. You’ll also benefit from comprehensive research training in areas such as research methods, scientific writing and publishing.