Postgraduate research opportunities

Our research experts and impressive facilities make Nottingham the ideal place to study for your PhD in engineering.

We welcome students from across the globe, who join our friendly community and develop into the engineering leaders of the future.

Discover our research themes

Our research strengths

Our engineering research delivers real and significant impact to society, the environment, and to our industry partners.
Recognised by the Research Excellence Framework 2021 for our research's international standing.
Academics specialising in many areas of engineering, technology and architecture – find a possible supervisor.
Partnerships and collaborations with universities, industry and stakeholders across the world.
Impressive facilities including workshops, labs, studios, practical testing facilities and our Creative Energy Homes.
Funded studentships available for selected research projects.
Networking, training and support from our Researcher Academy.
Take a look at some current and recent PhD projects in our postgraduate research showcase.

Find out more about our research

PhD research themes

Find your PhD programme in one of these six engineering themes.

Researcher stood in front of creative energy home writing notes

Architecture, People and Design

Male and female students conducting sustainable energy research in lab coats

Building and Sustainable Energy Technology

Female researcher in lab coat and gloves, inspecting up a chemical flask

Chemical, Environmental and Biotechnology

Female researcher wearing a hard hat inspecting equipment

Civil and Surveying Engineering

Male researcher conducting tests in a lab

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Assistant Professor Ming Li working with a Spark Plasma Sintering System in the Innovative Technology Research Centre

Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing

Research groups, centres and institutes

Discover how our research groups, centres and institutes tackle everyday problems, industrial challenges and global issues.

Research groups

Centres

Institutes

Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs)

Please see individual CDT webpages for details of their research and how to apply. Note that not all CDTs may currently be recruiting new student researchers.