New PhD opportunities in science and engineering

Smart surfaces, offshore wind energy and unmanned electric transportation are some of the subjects students will be able to study and research, thanks to new funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Applications are now open for students to start PhDs in September this year within four Centres for Doctoral Training involving Durham University. Soft matter and industrial innovation Durham is hosting the Centre for Doctoral Training in Soft Matter for Formulation and Industrial Innovation (SOFI2 CDT) which has received £5.3m of new funding. PhD students can discover how to design, characterise, manufacture and deploy soft materials with applications from foods to detergents, medicines to skin creams, paints to engine oils, and textiles to TV screens. The students will learn about all aspects of soft matter through team-working on challenges set by industry partners, receive extensive skills training, complete a mini-MBA and have the opportunity to spend three months on an overseas placement. Three other CDTs involving Durham, covering molecular science for medicine, renewable energy, and offshore wind energy and environment, are also inviting applications from students. Wind energy and environment Within the CDT in Offshore Wind Energy and the Environment, students will be working on solutions for the challenges currently facing the offshore wind industry and the low carbon economy.