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Powering the future of sustainable grids through multiport home energy management

This exciting opportunity is based within the Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) research group in the Faculty of Engineering which conducts cutting edge research into power electronics for energy management and decarbonisation.

Vision

We are seeking a PhD student that is motivated and passionate about the design and control of power electronics technologies that make real-world impact. Together we will make technological advances that bring compact, reliable and economical energy management into our homes.

Motivation 

The UK is charging full speed ahead towards its ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, and with over 10 million electric vehicles (EVs) projected to hit the roads we are facing an electrifying challenge: how do we power all these cars sustainably and without overloading our energy grid?

The answer lies in renewable assisted home Energy Management Systems (EMS) that seamlessly integrate solar power, EVs, and the single-phase mains. By dynamically managing energy flow a home EMS ensures that solar power is preferentially used to charge vehicles and support the grid, or that energy is returned from the vehicle back to the mains when necessary. It is a vision of smart, circular energy use but there is a catch; existing EMS solutions are often hindered by high costs, inefficiencies, and complex, bulky components due to multi-stage power conversion and DC link coupling. This PhD project focuses on the development of next-generation high power density EMS to unlock a more compact and efficient energy ecosystem, where EVs do not just consume power, they help drive the future of energy for homes in the UK.

Aim

You will have the opportunity to develop an innovative EMS design that solves existing challenges. This new architecture will reduce costs, minimise physical footprint, and make it easier to comply with safety standards. High power density design of the EMS will also involve solving design and control challenges around electro-magnetic interference, thermal management, active power pulsations and magnetics optimisation. 

You will work with Dr Tabish Mir and Dr Alan Watson at the University of Nottingham’s Power Electronics and Machines Centre, which is a purpose-built £18M facility at Jubilee Campus. The PEMC research group is globally renowned and one of the leading in its field. 

Candidate requirements

We are actively looking for candidates with:

  • A first-class (UK equivalent) undergraduate degree in Electrical and/or Electronics Engineering
  • A master’s degree in electrical engineering, particularly power electronics and/or electric drives, is desirable - preferably 1st class (UK equivalent)
  • Knowledge of simulation platforms like MATLAB Simulink/PLECS
  • Coding and hardware skills are desirable
  • Strong analytical/mathematical skills
  • Passion for research and willingness to learn
  • Good presentation/communication and writing skills

Eligibility and funding

This studentship is open to UK/home and international candidates. 

After a suitable candidate is found, funding is sought from the University of Nottingham as part of a competitive process. This will cover home tuition fees and UKRI stipend.

PhD start date: October 2026

How to apply

Application deadline: 9 March 2026

To apply, please contact Tabish Mir with your CV and supporting statement at tabish.mir@nottingham.ac.uk

 

The University of Nottingham actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. We - the Faculty of Engineering - provide a thriving working environment for all our postgraduate researchers (PGRs) creating a strong sense of community across research disciplines. We understand that research culture is important to our PGRs so we work closely with our Postgraduate Engineering Society and PGR research group representatives to support and enhance the postgraduate research environment.

As a PGR at the University of Nottingham you will benefit from training through our Researcher Academy’s training programme. Based within the Faculty of Engineering you will have additional access to courses developed specifically for our engineering and architecture PGRs including sessions on how to write a paper, communicating your research, and research integrity. 

We offer dedicated postgraduate study spaces, have outstanding research facilities and work in partnership with leading industrial partners.

 

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