Postgraduate Opportunities
Newcastle University
Supervisor(s): Professor Gui Yun Tian, Dr Volker Pickert
Institute: School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Newcastle University
Sponsor: EPSRC
Start date: 1 October 2008
Project Description
Following a recent successful EPSRC grant application of UK-China collaborations on new and renewable energy projects, two PhD Studentships are available within the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering. The project is to design and develop new techniques for improving reliability in renewable energy generation. The participants of this UK-China consortium bring together experience and expertise from five UK research intensive universities (Edinburgh, Durham, Newcastle, Nottingham and Warwick), three UK industrial organisations and four key Chinese universities and four Chinese industrial organisations. More details about the project can be found here.
The research will build on previous and current studies by the members of the consortium. The focus on the research work can be summarised as:
*Development of condition monitoring techniques to reduce the impact of failures on generation
*Development of new machine and converter topologies for wind, wave and tidal stream generation.
Students will be involved in significant UK-China travel for international project meetings, networking and joint studies. One post will research on sensors and life-cycle assessment under Professor Tian’s supervision and the other post will research on energy storage for wind turbines under Dr Volker Pickert’s supervision.
Entry Requirements
Due to funding criteria, EPSRC funded studentships are only available to UK/EU applicants. Candidates should have, or expect to obtain, at least a upper-second-class honours degree or a MSc in a engineering-related subject. Successful candidates will receive a minimum bursary of around £12,000 per annum, as well as having their tuition fees covered at the UK/EU rate.
Further Information
For further enquiries and full descriptions of the projects please contact:
Sensors and Life-Cycle Assessment
Professor Gui Yun Tian
Telephone: +44 (0)191 222 5638
E-mail: g.y.tian@ncl.ac.uk
Energy Storage for Wind Turbines
Dr Volker Pickert
Telephone: +44 (0)191 222 6684
E-mail: volker.pickert@ncl.ac.uk
How to apply
To apply for these studentships please complete the University’s online postgraduate application form (www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply) selecting ‘PhD School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering – Electrical and Electronic Engineering’ as your programme of study and quoting the relevant reference number and studentship title:
EE001 (Sensors and Life-Cycle Assessment)
EE002 (Energy Storage for Wind Turbines)
If you would like to be considered for both studentships, please make this clear in the ‘Research Students Only’ field in the Programme of Study section of the application form. Please attach a copy of your CV and a covering letter to the application form.
Closing date: 15 July 2008
Funding information
- Funding applies to:
- EU applicants (including UK)
