Overview
As a part of NCC’s continued effort to generate a sufficient supply of skilled people to the UK composite industry, the Centre has partnered with the University of Bristol and University of Nottingham to offer projects for doctoral studies starting in September 2026, with a focus on the creation of sustainable and efficient solutions for the design of composite structures.
Within this framework, NCC is offering two Engineering Doctorate (EngD) scholarships, where the students will spend up to 75% of their time conducting research on NCC premises.
The Centre of Doctoral Training (CDT) was launched in 2024 and follows on from five previous successful CDTs in Bristol Composites Institute (BCI). The training will focus on you becoming a future leader, with doctoral level qualifications, and the skills and expertise to address the design, manufacture and assurance of composite products. You will follow a taught programme that provides an in-depth knowledge of composite materials and their use, with a focus on sustainability and the circular economy, while conducting cutting‑edge industrially relevant research. A structured professional development programme tailored to individual aspirations will support your future career either in industry or academia.
We are seeking highly motivated and committed individuals with an eye on the future, who are interested in conducting stimulating, impactful, essential, and industrially relevant research, and have a passion for finding sustainable solutions. There are many challenges in understanding the behaviour of composite materials and structures, so the projects seek to develop new manufacturing routes, design concepts, analysis procedures and development of new solutions.
Scholarship Details
Type of award: Engineering Doctorate
Research focus areas: Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Design Engineering, Research group Bristol Composites Institute
Scholarship Details: An enhanced stipend of £27,805 for 2026/27, a fee waiver and generous financial support for research and training for the successful candidates.
Duration: 4 years
Eligibility: Home/permanent UK residents only subject to security clearance
Start Date: September 2026
Candidate Requirements
Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum a 2:1 MEng or merit at Masters level or equivalent in engineering, physics or chemistry. 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.
Closing Date
30th July 2026
Projects
Project 1 – EngD on Artificial Intelligence for Systems Engineering (supervised by Andy Patterson). For more details visit https://www.bristol.ac.uk/composites/cdt-sustainable-composites-engineering/opportunities/#P6
Project 2 – EngD on Adaptive Manufacturing (supervised by Jon Butt). For more details visit https://www.bristol.ac.uk/composites/cdt-sustainable-composites-engineering/opportunities/#NCC2
To Apply
To apply please submit a personal statement, outlining your experience and why you are interested in the EngD project, your CV and transcript of results to https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/. Please include the project title in the project description field and select EngD in Composites Manufacture. Please enter Professor Janice Barton the Director of the CDT as the 2nd supervisor (janice.barton@bristol.ac.uk) and indicate that the funding is provided by the CDT in Innovation for Sustainable Composites Engineering.
For more information on other EngD and PhD projects with the University of Bristol please visit FindAPhD: Opportunities in the EPSRC Centre in Doctoral Training (CDT) in Innovation for Sustainable Composites Engineering at University of Bristol
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