Syensqo sponsored PhD studentship: double diaphragm forming for sustainable composites manufacturing

Supervised by Professor Lee Harper and Dr Davide De Focatiis. Sponsored by Syensqo.

This is an EngD studentship in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Innovation for Sustainable Composites Engineering, launched in 2024. 

Project description

Double diaphragm forming (DDF) presents a promising approach for producing sustainable fibre-reinforced composites, offering key advantages over traditional autoclave processing of prepreg materials. These benefits, including reduced labour and shorter process times, align with the broader goals of environmentally responsible manufacturing, material efficiency, and high-performance composite production.

Achieving defect-free components remains a challenge, particularly in maintaining precise fibre orientation and preventing localised wrinkling. The DDF process involves numerous interdependent material and process parameters that are difficult to optimise manually. Without careful control, components are prone to defects and may exhibit inferior mechanical properties compared to those produced via hand layup.

Selecting the optimal combination of prepreg, reinforcement, and film to suit the complexity of a specific component prior to production trials is another critical hurdle. A deeper understanding of composite sheet materials is still evolving, especially for temperature- and rate-sensitive systems like prepreg. 

This project aims to address these challenges by developing a suite of deployable tools and predictive models. These resources will enable Syensqo to identify optimal polymer film and prepreg chemistry combinations, facilitating the production of defect-free components using DDF technology across a range of cure cycles.

This project is extremely well aligned to Syensqo’s ambition of promoting DDF in the composites industry.

You will:  

• Be immersed in one of the world’s leading specialty chemicals companies spending approximately 75% of your time on-site. You'll gain real-world experience in industrial-scale composite manufacturing - exposure rarely available through academic programmes
• Gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art composite materials and cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, preparing you for a career at the intersection of innovation and industry
• Deepen your passion for automated manufacturing processes, driving the development of sustainable composite structures for high-performance applications
• Undertake doctoral-level training at the University of Bristol - a globally recognised institution at the forefront of composites research

Candidate requirements

You must hold/achieve a minimum a 2:1 MEng or merit at master's level or equivalent in engineering, physics or chemistry, depending on the project. Applicants without a master's qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis provided they hold a first-class undergraduate degree. Please note, acceptance will also depend on evidence of readiness to pursue a research degree and performance at interview. 

Funding

You will receive an enhanced stipend of £26,780 for 2026/2027, home tuition fees, and generous financial support for research and training. 

Eligibility and how to apply

• This studentship is open to home/permanent UK residents only
• To apply, please email a personal statement outlining your experience and interest in this EngD project, plus your CV and transcript, to Professor Lee Harper at lee.harper@nottingham.ac.uk 
• Closing date for applications: 29 January 2026
• PhD start date: September 2026 for a duration of four years