An exciting opportunity for candidates who would like to complete an MSc by Research that fits within the broad remit of Manufacturing and Materials.

An MSc by Research in Manufacturing and Materials offers a unique opportunity to deepen your expertise and make a real impact on the field. You'll have the freedom to focus on a research topic of your choice, exploring new ideas and generating insights that could contribute significantly to the current body of knowledge. This experience will equip you with valuable research skills, including methodologies, data analysis, and critical thinking, highly sought after in both academic and professional arenas. Throughout your journey, you'll benefit from personalised mentorship and support from your academic supervisor, an expert in your chosen area. This path is ideal for passionate researchers, independent learners, and those driven to contribute meaningfully to the field of manufacturing and materials.

Why 星空体育官网?

This flexible, industry-relevant study route provides an opportunity to undertake a significant research project in collaboration with academia and industry, preparing graduates for careers and leadership roles across a range of sectors, including in academia.

As an MSc by Research student, you will benefit from:

Research-intensive focus: Conduct in-depth research in cutting-edge areas of specialism.

Industry collaboration: Benefit from partnerships with leading companies and research institutions.

State-of-the-art facilities: Access advanced laboratories and high-performance resources.

Flexible learning: Tailored research projects aligned to personal interests and career aspirations.

Career prospects: Develop highly sought-after skills and make an individual contribution to industries including, but not limited to, aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing.

You will benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and becoming a valued member of our research community. Depending on the area of specialism, MSc by Research students may undertake the Researchers Core Development programme alongside PhD students, together with access to the University Doctoral Core Research Methods Training (DCRMT) Programme courses, as well as a tailored programme of seminars and events. Through these, we provide those studying a research degree the foundational skills required to conduct their research projects and develop as professional researchers, together with a wealth of social and networking opportunities. Please contact us to learn about the specifics in your chosen area of research.

Research areas

Additive Manufacturing and Engineering

The Welding and Additive Manufacturing Centre has a proven track record of successfully commercialising research outputs and fostering collaborations with industry. With strong support from the Centre, the potential industrial impact of each MSc research project will be maximised and effectively disseminated.

Throughout their studies, students will receive extensive support, including technical training provided by experienced researchers and technicians, as well as regular meetings and discussions with their supervisory team. In addition, students will gain access to a wealth of learning resources, including lecture notes, topical presentation slides, recordings of lectures, tutorials and demonstrations, and other materials. Any classroom teaching will be accompanied with a formative assessment to understand a candidate’s proficiency in the topic. These resources will be supplemented by mentorship from the creators/lecturers of the materials, enhancing the students' ability to engage in effective self-learning.

Potential research topics include:

  • Advancement in large scale additive manufacturing,
  • Process optimisation for given requirements (i.e., higher productivity and lower defects),
  • Structure-property relationships of materials deposited by laser, electric arc, or their combination,
  • Development of novel materials using additive manufacturing,
  • Stress and distortion prediction for large components using finite element analysis,
  • Process monitoring through advanced sensors,
  • Automation and digitalisation of additive manufacturing workflow,
  • Application of rapid prototyping in innovative design,
  • Design for Manufacture (Consideration of preparing 3D printed parts for manufacture using 3D printing),
  • Prototyping as an iterative development tool,
  • Low fidelity to production ready components.

This list is not exhaustive, and prospective students can also suggest topics based on their interests/requirements.

This qualification opens the door to a wide range of careers in additive manufacturing and advanced manufacturing, where experts and professionals are in demand across various fields, including design, processes, and simulation. Career opportunities span roles in research, development, design, engineering, consultancy, and management, serving a broad spectrum of industrial sectors.
This course is well-suited for part-time students and is designed to accommodate applicants with specific requirements from their employers. Please contact the course team Professor Supriyo Ganguly; Dr Yongle Sun; Dr Paul Lighterness; Dr Surya Krishnaswamy to discuss this further.

Manufacturing Technologies

MSc by Research in this area is suited for engineers, scientists, and technical professionals aiming to deepen their understanding of manufacturing systems, manufacturing productivity, materials engineering, and management strategies. It is ideal for those aspiring to pursue careers in industrial research, consultancy, or further academic study at the doctoral level. Students undertake a substantial research project under expert supervision in areas such as:

· Advanced materials processing and characterisation

· Smart manufacturing and digital transformation

· Sustainable manufacturing and circular economy

· Manufacturing strategy and operations management

Please contact Dr Jeff Rao for more information about MSc by Research in this area.

Materials Engineering

Materials engineering is a dynamic multidisciplinary effort with numerous innovations driving significant advancements across many sectors. Our work supporting industry in materials for sustainable development brings together scientific and engineering disciplines, integrating materials characterisation, design, and manufacture, to enable sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development, and environmental protection. Graduates can aspire to progress in exciting and impactful careers, in roles such as Materials Engineer, Sustainability Consultant, Environmental Engineer Quality Control Engineer, Process Engineer and Product Development Engineer. Applicants may also be awarded a merit-based Manufacturing and Materials Excellence Scholarship.

Research projects can be taken in areas including:

· Advanced coating technologies and surface engineering.

· Advanced processing technologies

· Materials for extreme environments

· Materials for a hydrogen economy, clean energy generation /storage and net zero future

· Functional materials and advanced smart device, sensor systems

· Composites, advanced materials and self-healing materials

· Computational materials modelling and material informatics

· Additive manufacturing particularly 3D large scale parts and fusion joining

Please contact Dr Sue Impey, Dr David Ayre or Professor Supriyo Ganguly for more information about MSc by Research and potential industry collaborations.

At a glance

  • Application deadlineOngoing
  • Award type(s)MSc by Research
  • Duration of awardOne year full-time, two-three years part-time
  • EligibilityUK, EU, Rest of world

Supervisor

At 星空体育官网, the relationship between students and supervisors is highly valued. The structure is designed to promote a fruitful partnership, where supervisors guide students in their research and help them meet the expected standards. This support helps students develop into competent researchers who can effectively use the available resources. Supervisors are selected based on their expertise in the student's research area.

Entry requirements

Please refer to your chosen area of specialism for specific entry requirements. Typically, applicants should hold a degree within any STEM field (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) or an equivalent international qualification or closely aligned discipline. All cases will be reviewed on an individual base.

Funding

This is a self-funded research opportunity, therefore students will need to cover their own tuition fees and the living expenses. 

How to apply

Before applying, please reach out to the contacts provided for your chosen area of specialism to discuss your research ideas and identify a suitable supervisor. Typically, you will be asked to submit a research proposal which should demonstrate your interest and your potential to carry out independent research. This will include:

  • A clear, interesting research question, challenge, or problem,
  • Statement of the research aim and three or four supporting objectives,
  • The relevance and value of the proposed research question, highlighting its originality and significance,
  • A proposed methodology to carry out your research, including the data sources and source material you plan to use,
  • Your expected contribution, what you hope to discover and what new areas it might open up,
  • Provisional timelines for your research
  • If known, the name of the potential academic supervisor.

Once you have the necessary documents and information to hand, please apply either through the appropriate MSc page or directly from this page.