Are you a future research leader eager to drive the UK’s manufacturing and metals industry into the digital age? The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Digital Transformation of Metals Industry (DigitalMetal CDT) is now accepting applications for its 2025 cohort.
Led by the University of Leicester, in collaboration with Universities of Birmingham, Loughborough, Nottingham, and Warwick, this CDT offers 14 fully funded PhD positions designed to blend advanced digital technologies with cutting-edge metals and alloy research. The programme aims to develop 80 highly skilled leaders over time who can modernize industry processes through digital innovation.
Funding Package of Scholarship
Each 4-year studentship includes:
- Full UK tuition coverage
- Annual stipend at UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25)
- £4,000 Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) per year.
Programme Focus & Research Themes
Students will engage in interdisciplinary research projects across five transformative themes, working closely with global industry leaders such as Rolls-Royce, Siemens, Tata Steel, British Steel, UKAEA, GKN Aerospace, and more.
Research Themes:
- Advanced Manufacturing: Projects in casting, welding, surface engineering, additive manufacturing, and robotic manufacturing.
- Metals and Alloys Engineering: Development of high-performance and Ni-based superalloys.
- Digital Twinning of Manufacturing: AI-powered digital simulations for casting, welding, and steelmaking processes.
- 4Right-First-Time Manufacturing: Sustainability-focused digital manufacturing for space and high-performance applications.
- Engineering Management & Digital Supply Chains: Use of Industry 4.0 for enhanced decision-making and visibility in manufacturing supply chains.
What You’ll Gain?
- Doctoral degree (PhD) from leading UK institutions
- Access to cutting-edge research facilities and industrial mentorship
- Training in leadership, management, and AI-enhanced manufacturing
- A stepping stone into careers in academia, R&D, policy, or high-impact industrial roles.
Scholarship Entry Requirements
- A First or Upper Second-Class degree (2:1) or international equivalent in a relevant field (e.g., engineering, materials science, computer science, physics).
- Applicants with a Lower Second-Class degree (2:2) will be considered if they also hold a relevant Master’s degree.
- Open to UK and international applicants, subject to project and institutional availability.
Apply: https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/funded-opportunities/epsrc-cdt-digital-metal.
Application Timeline
The application window for the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Transformation of Metals Industry (DigitalMetal CDT) is currently open. Interested candidates must submit their applications by 30 April 2025. Successful applicants will begin their fully funded PhD programme on 22 September 2025 at the University of Leicester or one of the partner universities (Birmingham, Loughborough, Nottingham, or Warwick).
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