Academic Departments, Institutes and Centres
Here you can find links to PhD opportunities in Engineering at the University of Sheffield. These PhD opportunities are available through one of the University's engineering departments, and they can be found listed on the department websites listed below.
Some of the projects listed on departments' websites may be part of a bigger programme of PhD opportunities, designed by one of the University's interdisciplinary Centres for Doctoral Training.
These centres may have specific details about training, funding and entry requirements for their projects. You can find out more about these centres on their websites, listed below.
Once you have a PhD project that you want to apply for, you can find out more information about funding and how to apply.
Academic departments
Each of the University of Sheffield's seven engineering departments has a range of PhD opportunities, often with funding attached. Follow the links below to view the projects available in each science department.
PhD opportunities in:
- Automatic Control and Systems Engineering
- Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Subject not listed here?
You can visit our PhD projects directory to view the full range of PhD opportunities at the University of Sheffield.
Do you have your own idea for a PhD project?
If you have your own idea for a PhD project, you can find a potential supervisor by visiting the research section of any engineering department's website.
These pages explain the research areas that each department covers, and the research interests of academic staff who may be able to supervise your PhD project. Contact a member of academic staff to find out about PhD opportunities in their area.
Centres for Doctoral Training
The University of Sheffield is home to a number of Centres for Doctoral Training.
These interdisciplinary centres have their own programmes of funded PhD projects, which are normally completed over four years instead of the usual three.
Details of PhD opportunities available through CDTs are given on each centre's website.
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Advanced Metallic Systems
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Resilience for Infrastructure and Cities
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Nuclear Energy
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Machining Science
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Energy Storage and its Applications
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Integrated Tribology
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Resilient Decarbonised Fuel Energy Systems
- Aura Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Offshore Wind Energy and the Environment
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Speech and Language Technologies and their Applications
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Compound Semiconductor Manufacturing
Our Interdisciplinary Research Centres
The Faculty of Engineering contributes to a number of interdisciplinary research centres.
Energy2050 is one of the UK's largest energy research institutes, with over 120 academics and more than 250 PhD students undertaking energy research and innovation.
Founded in 2011, Sheffield Robotics operates dedicated research facilities for robotics in both the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University and has academic and research student members from many disciplines and departments.
CATCH (Centre for Assistive Technology and Connected Heathcare)
The Centre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare (CATCH) researches, develops, evaluates and implements new user-friendly technologies to enable people to live well and age well.
An interdisciplinary water research centre, dedicated to continuing the University of Sheffield's highly collaborative and innovative approach to solving major challenges in the water sector.
Advanced Biomanufacturing Centre (ABC)
Operating across the dynamic interface between (bio)chemical engineering and biomolecular science, researchers in the ABC at Sheffield are creating innovative new biotechnologies that will enable next-generation biomanufacturing. .
Centre for Cement and Concrete
The Centre for Cement and Concrete (CCC) is based in the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering at the University of Sheffield and is the largest concrete academic research centre in the UK.
CISTIB (Centre for Computational Imaging & Simulation Technologies in Biomedicine)
CISTIB performs cutting-edge research in areas of fundamental and applied biomedical imaging & modeling with impact in personalized minimally invasive therapies and active and healthy ageing.
The Low Carbon Combustion Centre, an initiative by the University of Sheffield, is Europe’s leading facility for novel combustion and low carbon technology.
LCCC is committed to providing industry with expert research into power, fuel, energy efficiency and, ultimately, the reduction in carbon emissions.
Computational Mechanics and Design Group
CMD research involves developing a deeper understanding of the mechanical behaviour of materials and structures, so that they can be used optimally or manipulated according to specific needs.
We also undertake research in fluid flow, primarily for application in building physics.
The Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine is a collaborative initiative between the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Multi-disciplinary in its structure, the Institute involves 139 academics and clinicians who collaborate to develop computer simulations of the human body and its disease processes that can be used directly in clinical practice to improve diagnosis and treatment.
Leonardo Centre for Tribology and Surface Technology
The Leonardo Centre conducts both fundamental and applied research on friction, wear, lubrication, surface coatings and treatments covering a range of industrial sectors
Composite Systems Innovation Centre
Composite Systems Innovation Centre (CSIC) is a state-of-the art research centre dedicated to the innovation in the science of composite materials.
Connecting more than 55 researchers, engineers and academic staff, the centre is set to promote development of composite materials from the fundamental research level to the large-scale industrial manufacturing.
Rail Innovation and Technology Centre
The Rail Innovation & Technology Centre is a collaboration between the University of Sheffield and Network Rail. Its focus is on intelligent systems engineering that can be applied to rail infrastructure, operations and traffic.
Centre for Advanced Additive Manufacturing
The Centre for Advanced Additive Manufacturing (AdAM) conducts world leading research in the fast emerging field of additive manufacturing (aka 3D printing).
Our activities are led by a team of internationally respected academics backed up by high performing and dedicated researchers and technicians.
See also: Support from your PhD supervisor