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̨ÍåÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ PhD Scholarships

Please contact PGRscholarships@dmu.ac.uk if you have any questions.


PhD Studentship: Microgrid Network Modelling, Control and Optimisation

Sub-Saharan Africa faces a severe energy crisis, with over 50% of the population lacking electricity access and rural electrification rates dropping to as low as 5%. This transformative project addresses this disparity by leveraging circular economy principles to repurpose electronic waste from electric vehicles (EVs), such as lithium-ion batteries, power converters, and motors, for renewable energy microgrids. These second-life components are ideal for stationary applications, including solar energy storage, micro-hydro systems, and energy controllers.

This innovative approach tackles two pressing challenges: expanding energy access in underserved regions and mitigating environmental harm from increasing e-waste. The project contributes directly to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

̨ÍåÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ (DMU) invites applications for two funded PhD studentships in Microgrid Network Modelling, Control, and Optimisation. These studentships are part of a larger interdisciplinary project to revolutionise energy accessibility in Sub-Saharan Africa.

PhD Opportunities

1. Advanced Modelling for Microgrid Scalability and Interconnectivity
This studentship focuses on addressing scalability, interconnectivity, and efficiency challenges in microgrids. Key research areas include:

  • Simulation and modelling of microgrid interactions and electricity demand.
  • Advanced modelling to optimise microgrid design.
  • Machine learning for predictive analytics and congestion management.
  • Developing replication strategies for scalable microgrids tailored to diverse African contexts.
    The outcomes will enable sustainable, reliable, and interconnected energy networks.

2. Agent-Based Modelling of Prosumer Dynamics for Load Management
This studentship explores the dynamic interactions of producers, consumers, and prosumers (those who both produce and consume energy) in microgrid ecosystems. Research areas include:

  • Modelling prosumer behaviour and energy usage patterns.
  • Applying machine learning to analyse and forecast energy demand.
  • Designing load management strategies to balance supply and demand in real time.
  • Investigating the scalability of microgrid strategies across diverse African contexts.
    This research aims to enhance efficiency, reliability, and adaptability in microgrids.

Supervision and Collaboration
The PhD candidates will join a vibrant cohort of over 15 interdisciplinary PhD students within the Pan-African, multisectoral, interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence—Circular Economy Powered Renewable Energy Centre (CEPREC) Centre, spanning the UK and six African countries. These two studentships will be based at the Institute of Sustainable Futures in the School of Energy and Sustainable Development, ̨ÍåÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, benefiting from state-of-the-art facilities.

Supervised by Dr Vijay Pakka vpakka@dmu.ac.uk, Dr.  Emmanouil Tyllianakis emmanouil.tyllianakis@dmu.ac.uk and  Prof Muyiwa Oyinlola muyiwa.oyinlola@dmu.ac.uk, candidates will receive excellent training and support in scientific, technical, and transferable skills. Collaboration with African universities and government stakeholders ensures contextually relevant research with real-world impact.

The successful candidates will based within the Institute of Sustainable Futures in the school of Energy and sustainable Development, with dedicated state-of-the-art facilities for undertaking the project. 

Funding

The 3-year funded PhD studentships, commencing 1 April 2025, include a UKRI-aligned stipend of £19,237 per annum.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • A UK Honours degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, with at least an upper second class (or overseas equivalent), a Masters Degree in similar fields, or an academic or professional qualification plus experience in their sector or industry.
  • A keen interest in the research topic.
  • Strong communication skills for diverse audiences.
  • Motivation to work independently and collaboratively.

How to apply

This is a two-stage application process.

STAGE 1: Please send the following documents to PGRscholarships@dmu.ac.uk:

Deadline: Monday 3 February 2025.

STAGE 2: Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by 10 February 2025. Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application (including 2 references) via the DMU PGR Application Portal by 17 February 2025.

Deadline for full application: Monday 17 February 2025


Pulsed Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Effects Measurement and Mechanisms

Are you passionate about developing novel research and keen to shape the future of energy transfer technologies in areas such as engineering and RF technologies? We are recruiting a motivated PhD candidate to undertake an exciting project within the EPSRC Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub. As a student of the Hub, you will receive an enhanced stipend of £23,237 per year, plus additional funds of £7,000 a year for travel, conferences and research equipment. This project is co- funded by .

The studentship will focus on studying the effects and consequences of pulsed radio frequency (RF) fields on the operation of electronic systems. The project will develop methods to measure these effects, using these measurements to improve understanding of the underlying effects and root-causes.

The main objectives of this project are: 

  • Investigation of the effects of pulsed RF fields on electronic systems.
  • Research into these effects, specifically the characteristics of RF signals and the underlying circuit vulnerabilities and system architectures of the electronic systems. We will also be looking at the impact of the materials, size and construction of the circuits on the consequences RF fields can have.
  • Measurement of the effects of pulsed RF fields on the operation of electronic circuits. The outcomes will optimise exploration of the pulse parameter space, using these measurements to improve understanding of the underlying effects mechanisms and root-causes at silicon, component, and sub-system level, and identify effect test and monitoring methods at a range of levels, from component to platform level.
  • Development of suitable methods for instrumenting circuits to measure the effects of pulsed RF fields on electronic systems.

The Hub  

Our Doctoral Training Hub provides specialist training to our PhD researchers, aiming to shape the future of energy transfer technologies for applications in defence and related sectors. The successful candidate for this project will be based at ̨ÍåÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, Leicester, and will benefit from the support and expertise of our diverse academic community, a group of students working towards similar goals, as well as our specialist industrial network.

Why Join Us?

  • Industrial Collaboration: Each PhD student within the Hub is partnered with an industry collaborator, providing placement opportunities to work and train alongside industry experts
  • Comprehensive Training: The Hub offers a blend of academic and industrial training, preparing you for diverse career pathways in research or industry
  • Cohort Experience: Build your research network through inclusion in a vibrant cohort of PhD students that conduct research with academic leaders across leading UK institutions. Engage in online and face-to-face activities, including cohort-building events and collaborative learning exercises
  • Funding: A generous fully funded studentship (no fees and a monthly personal payment) with additional support for conferences, travel, training, consumables and extended placement with industry collaborators.

Key Details

  • Host Institution: ̨ÍåÂãÁÄÖ±²¥
  • Industry Partner:
  • PhD Duration: 4 years
  • Start Date: 1st October 2025
  • Enhanced stipend of £23,237

The industrial partner, , is a major international company, being number 1 in Europe and number 3 worldwide in the field. HORIBA-MIRA specialise in vehicle engineering, test and development consultancy. They will provide PhD supervision, a placement, and be part of the larger Hub community – benefiting in the diverse academic and industrial network offered by the Hub.

Please check the for further details.

Eligibility

PhD Candidates must hold a minimum of an upper Second-Class UK Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline. Candidates must be UK Nationals and be willing to apply for and able to obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.

 

How to apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply. Lead Supervisor is Professor Alistair Duffy, Professor of Electromagnetics, ̨ÍåÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, Email: apd@dmu.ac.uk.

This is a two-stage application process.

STAGE 1: Please send the following documents to PGRscholarships@dmu.ac.uk:

Deadline: Friday 7 March 2025

STAGE 2: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to undergo an interview, and successful candidates will be contacted by Monday 31 March 2025 with a request to submit a full application through the DMU PGR Application Portal.

Deadline: Monday 7 April 2025

Equality, diversity and inclusion

The Hub is committed to improving diversity within the sector and as such we aim to provide an inclusive environment in which all students can thrive. We particularly encourage applications from women, disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, and students from low-income/ non-typical backgrounds to apply. We can also consider part time PhD students. We encourage and support talented individuals from various STEM backgrounds with ambition and an interest in making a difference.


Midlands4Cities

The AHRC-funded  (M4C) brings together eight leading universities across the Midlands to support the professional and personal development of the next generation of arts and humanities doctoral researchers. M4C is a collaboration between the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, University of Warwick, Coventry University, University of Leicester, ̨ÍåÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, Nottingham Trent University and The University of Nottingham.

Offering you cross-institutional supervision, training, mentoring and career support to ensure that you produce world-leading research and maximise your career potential. The Doctoral Training Partnerships awards IRO 80 PhD Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) studentships applicants each year.

Through the partnership we aim to deliver excellence in all aspects of research supervision and training. We will assist you in acquiring the best supervision for your field of research, you will have access to a wide range of facilities and support networks across our campuses.

See further information on the application process.


Alumni discounts

̨ÍåÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ offers alumni discounts for students that have previously studied with us at undergraduate or taught masters degree level. This discount is available to Home and International Students. This discount is only available to new starters and will be automatically applied if you are eligible.

Home alumni discount is £500 per year (full-time equivalent).

International alumni discount is £2,000 per year (full-time equivalent).


Additional funding opportunities

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowship 

Commonwealth Scholarships 

Amelia Earhart Fellowship 

Education Loans | Leicestershire | The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity

The Harry James Riddleston Charity