PhD projects

Apply for a PhD in Energy Transfer Technologies. Applications are now open for our October 2026 intake.

We are currently recruiting PhD candidates who are passionate about applying cutting edge research to real world challenges. Our programme offers the opportunity to collaborate with academic and industry experts in physics, electrical engineering, data science and chemistry.

Successful candidates will receive an enhanced annual stipend of at least £25,805, along with access to a strong academic and industrial network, structured training and professional development opportunities, and regular cohort activities.

If you are interested in joining the Hub and are keen to make a meaningful impact through research, we encourage you to apply.  Find out more, visit FindAPhD.

Please see below a list of projects available, please note that the hub sponsors projects at several of our partner universities:

Fundamentals of Large-Scale Optical Modes in Photonic Crystal Surface Emitting Lasers - Aston University

Distributed Radar Detection and Localisation of Drones - PhD - Cranfield University

Material systems to modify high-power laser interactions with irradiated materials - Cranfield University

Understanding and compensating turbulence for free space energy transfer - Durham University

Compact, reliable, high-energy density solid-state pulsed-power for RF generation - Imperial College London

Next generation infrared hollow core fibre gas lasers - Imperial College London

Atmospheric Plasma Polymer Coatings and Sensor Integration for Harsh Energy & Defence Environments - University of Liverpool

High Power Laser Development - University of Liverpool

Crystalline dielectric mirrors for high power lasers - University of Southampton

High-purity rare-earth complexes for preparation of ultra-high power fibre optic lasers - University of Southampton

Defect classification and mitigation for high power optics - University of Strathclyde

Dynamics and control of high-power converters for pulsed power load applications - University of Strathclyde

Optimisation and Stabilisation of Laser-Driven Ion Sources Using Machine Learning - University of Strathclyde

Sideband Suppression on High Power Microwave Antenna - University of Strathclyde