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Additive Manufacture: Optimisation and Characterisation of Additively Manufactured Alloy 625 Thin-Wall Structures

  • DeadlineDeadline: 16 July 2026
  • WalesWales

Description

Open to: UK fee eligible applicants only

Funding Providers: DRIVERS DFA / Rolls-Royce

Subject Area: Materials Science & Engineering

Project Start Dates: October 2026

** (Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates.)

Supervisors:

  • Professor Robert Lancaster
  •  Professor Spencer Jeffs

Aligned programme of study: Materials Engineering PhD

Mode of study: Full time

Place of study: Swansea University (Bay Campus)

Project title: Optimisation and Characterisation of Additively Manufactured Alloy 625 Thin-Wall Structures

Additive manufacturing offers significant opportunities to produce complex, lightweight components that would be difficult to manufacture using conventional methods. One important application is the production of advanced heat exchangers, where thin walls and intricate internal features can improve performance and efficiency.

Alloy 625 is expected to play a major role in future heat-exchanger designs because of its strength, durability and resistance to high-temperature environments. However, the properties of very thin additively manufactured sections are not yet fully understood. Their performance can be affected by the manufacturing process, heat treatment, surface condition, build direction and the transition between thin and thicker regions.

This PhD will provide the scientific understanding and supporting evidence required to design, manufacture and assess these components safely. Starting the project in September 2026 would allow the research to support the wider development programme at an early and important stage.

**In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh and any application submitted in Welsh will be treated no less favourably than an application submitted in English. Please refer to the University’s Welsh Language Policy on Awarding Grants

Entry Requirements

Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. 

IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here. 

 

Fees

Open to UK applicants only.

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA (Full list of categories for HE in Wales)

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £21,805 for 2026/27), plus an additional stipend of £5,000 per year.

How To Apply

NAME: Professor Robert Lancaster

EMAIL: [email protected]

Please apply through our website.

Who is eligible to apply?

Open to UK applicants only.

Note for applicants holding international and/or European qualifications: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page. 

If you have questions regarding your academic eligibility based on the above, email [email protected] with the link to the scholarships you are interested in. 

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website. 

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with a scholarship course offer.

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