Closing date: 25 August 2025
Open to: UK applicants only
Funding providers: UK Atomic Weapons Establishment (UKAWE) and Faculty of Science and Engineering at Swansea University
Subject areas: Computational Mechanics & Engineering Simulation
Project start date: 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September)
Supervisors: Prof Antonio J. Gil, Dr Chun Hean Lee and Dr Clare Wood
Aligned programme of study: PhD in Civil Engineering
Mode of study: Full-time
Project description:
Computational verification of high-speed multi-material flows, where physical experimentation is highly limited, is seen as critical by the Defence Sector (source: the UK Atomic Weapons Establishment). Recent work by the group (leading to REF 4* rated outputs and several Keynotes) has contributed to bridging the gap between Computational Solid and Fluid Dynamics, with a unified computational framework exploiting the use of physical and geometrical conservation laws in a variety of spatial discretisation schemes (i.e. Finite Element, Finite Volume, Meshless). The resulting conservation-type formulation, which displays striking similarities to that used by the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) community, has inspired the investigators to adopt conventional CFD algorithms in the novel context of Computational Solid Dynamics
Building upon very recent work made by the supervisory team, this FULLY FUNDED 4-year PhD project will investigate challenging aspects such as: (1) exploration of a truly “n” multi-material capability with a suitable closure model; (2) improved strategy for interface tracking/capturing; (3) very high-speed scenarios with use of nonlinear Riemann-solvers. If time allows exploratory 3D development could be foreseen in Year 4.
The recruited PhD candidate will become a member of an active research group working on the development and application of cutting-edge computational techniques for large strain solid dynamics, dynamic fracture/contact and computational multi-physics.
Funding duration: 4 years
For more details please see here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/engineering-ukawe-fse-phd--rs859.php
Scholarship open to UK fee eligible 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 regulations
PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or a similar relevant science discipline. See - Country Specific Postgraduate Entry Requirements.
English Language
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.
If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in.
Funding
This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 2025/26).
Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.
To apply, please complete the entire application form:
In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required.
1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS859
2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory)
3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.
*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.
One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.
NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.
Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.
As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):
Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Professor Antonio Gil a.j.gil@swansea.ac.uk
*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.
Open to: UK applicants only
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