Closing date: 23 June 2025
Open to: UK and international applicants
Funding providers: Ada Lovelace Centre – STFC and Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University
Subject areas: Laser shock peening, Computational Mechanics, finite elements, material modelling, molecular dynamics
Project start date: 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September)
Supervisors:
Aligned programme of study: PhD in Civil Engineering
Mode of study: Full or Part-time study is possible.
For 18 months, the student will be based at the STFC ’s Scientific Computing Department, Daresbury Laboratory, in Cheshire. For the remainder of the time, the student will be based at Swansea University.
Project description:
In the process of laser shock peening (LSP), metallic structural components are hit by controlled laser pulses.
The sudden vaporisation of material at the structural surface creates large magnitude pressure shock waves which induce compressive residual stresses in the structure, thereby improving the surface hardness and the resistance to fatigue cracking and to corrosion. LSP is more effective than traditional shot peening and is important for applications in the construction, aerospace and automotive industries. Other applications include the forming of thin components or the breaking-up of hard materials. The computer modelling of LSP remains challenging due to its multi-physics and multi-scale nature. The dependency of the process on the shape of the laser pulse, its energy, ablation layers etc. is not sufficiently understood. This involves complex physics at the interface of plasma physics, shock physics, material science and thermodynamics.
The objective of this project is the computational modelling of laser shock peening. Molecular Dynamics (MD) and Finite Element (FE) simulations will be combined to account for the complex physical phenomena and their different scales. The interdependence of physical conditions (pressure, pulse time, temperature) will be investigated, allowing for the design of efficient shockwaves. Essential multi-physics software tools will be developed. The project is a collaboration between Swansea University and the STFC (Scientific Computing Department + Central Laser Facility).
Funding Duration: 3 years
For more details please see here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/engineering-ada-stfc-fse-phd-rs836.php
Open to: UK and international applicants
Applicant’s must hold an undergraduate degree with a 2:1 or a Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics or in Physics. The candidate must have a background and a keen interest in computational modelling and should be familiar with the finite element method. Programming skills and experience with C++, Python and/or Matlab are desirable. A background in the physics of Laser Shock Peening is beneficial but not conditional. See Country Specific Entry Requirements - Swansea University
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.
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.
Funding
This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26)
Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.
International Students - Fully funded if the applicant is successful in being offered a SUIPRES Scholarship as outlined below.
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. RS836
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 Wulf G. Dettmer: w.g.dettmer@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 and international applicants
Discover a range of postgraduate research funding opportunities at Swansea University Now more than ever, we recognise the importance of offering a ...