• Skip to content
  • Skip to footer
  • Accessibility options
University of Brighton
  • About us
  • Business and
    employers
  • Alumni and
    supporters
  • For
    students
  • For
    staff
  • Accessibility
    options
Open menu
Home
Home
  • Close
  • Study here
    • Courses and subjects
    • Find a course
    • A-Z course list
    • Explore our subjects
    • Academic departments
    • Visiting the university
    • Explore: get to know us
    • Upcoming events
    • Virtual tours
    • Chat to our students and staff
    • Open days
    • Applicant days
    • Order a prospectus
    • Ask a question
    • Studying here
    • Accommodation and locations
    • Applying
    • Undergraduate
    • Postgraduate
    • Transferring from another university
    • The Student Contract
    • Clearing
    • International students
    • Fees and finance
    • Advice and help
    • Advice for students
    • Advice for parents and carers
    • Advice for schools and teachers
    • Managing your application
    • Undergraduate
    • Postgraduate
    • Apprenticeships
  • Research
    • Research and knowledge exchange
    • Research and knowledge exchange organisation
    • The Global Challenges
    • Centres of Research Excellence (COREs)
    • Research Excellence Groups (REGs)
    • Our research database
    • Information for business
    • Community University Partnership Programme (CUPP)
    • Postgraduate research degrees
    • PhD research disciplines and programmes
    • PhD funding opportunities and studentships
    • How to apply for your PhD
    • Research environment
    • Investing in research careers
    • Strategic plan
    • Research concordat
    • News, events, publications and films
    • Featured research and knowledge exchange projects
    • Research and knowledge exchange news
    • Inaugural lectures
    • Research and knowledge exchange publications and films
    • Academic staff search
  • About us
  • Business and employers
  • Alumni, supporters and giving
  • Current students
  • Staff
  • Accessibility
Search our site
PGR-mechanical-engineering-banner-large
Research and knowledge exchange
  • Postgraduate research degrees
  • Research features
  • Research organisation
  • Research environment
  • Postgraduate research degrees
    • Postgraduate research degrees
    • PhD-films
    • Our postgraduate research disciplines
    • Research Masters
    • Funding and studentships
    • Support and training
    • Postgraduate open evening
    • Apply for a PhD
    • Contact us
  • Our postgraduate research disciplines
    • Our postgraduate research disciplines
    • Archaeology | Archaeological Sciences PhD
    • Art and creative practices PhD
    • Biology PhD | Biomaterials PhD
    • Architecture PhD | Built Environment PhD
    • Business and management PhD
    • Chemistry PhD
    • Civil engineering PhD
    • Computing PhD
    • Conservation Ecology and Zoonosis PhD
    • Criminology
    • Cultural studies PhD | Global studies PhD
    • Design PhD
    • Digital media and culture PhD
    • Ecology and environmental management
    • Education
    • Engineering PhD
    • English literature PhD
    • Environmental communication PhD
    • Film, screen and popular culture PhD
    • Geology and Earth Science PhD
    • Health and wellbeing PhD | Resilience PhD
    • History of design PhD | History of art PhD
    • History PhD
    • Human geography PhD
    • Linguistics and language PhD
    • Mathematics and statistics PhD
    • Media communications PhD
    • Medicines Optimisation
    • Neuroscience PhD
    • Nuclear physics PhD
    • Nursing PhD | Midwifery PhD
    • Occupational therapy PhD
    • Philosophy, politics and ethics PhD
    • Physiotherapy PhD
    • Podiatry PhD
    • Politics PhD
    • Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD)
    • Psychology and Community Psychology
    • Regenerative medicine PhD
    • Sociology PhD
    • Sport and exercise science PhD
    • Sport and leisure cultures PhD
    • Tourism and hospitality PhD
  • Engineering PhD

Engineering PhD

As an Engineering PhD student at the University of Brighton you will be joining the prestigious Advanced Engineering Centre (AEC). The centre has its own dedicated building and enjoys an international reputation for producing innovative, future-facing research.

Here, we investigate and optimise complex thermofluid processes and develop laser-based measurement techniques, fundamental modelling and computational simulation and conduct engineering research across a range of areas including aeronautical, aerospace, electrical and manufacturing.

Together with our numerous industrial partners, we continually invest in facilities, equipment and our researchers to help us build new capabilities, refine our modelling and simulation methods and exploit fully our joint expertise.

We welcome students to work with us for their Engineering PhD and offer dedicated supervision together with hands-on opportunities to develop research that changes the future including 

Our research team collaborates with more than 40 academic institutions and 30 commercial companies, offering many opportunities for our PhD students to develop collaborations and build their international network.

Many of our graduates with a PhD in Engineering from the University of Brighton stay within academic research, predominantly by securing post-doctoral research positions or lecturing roles, both within UK and international institutes. Some of our graduates also work in Research & Development (R&D) departments for engineering companies.

For Civil engineering PhD please see our alternative page

Apply to 'computing, Engineering and Mathematics' in the applicant portal

 

Key information

As an Engineering PhD student at Brighton, you will benefit from:

  • a supervisory team comprising two and sometimes three members of academic staff. Depending on your research specialism you may also have an additional supervisor from another school, another research institution, or an external partner from government or industry. 
  • desk space and access to a desktop PC, either in one of the postgraduate offices on the 6th floor of the award-winning Cockcroft Building, or within the adjacent Huxley Building.  
  • access to a range of electronic resources via the University’s Online Library, as well as to the physical book and journal collections housed within the Aldrich Library and other campus libraries. 
  • various state-of-the-art research facilities on the Moulsecoomb site. 

Research themes

The University of Brighton boasts a world-leading Advanced Engineering Centre, and attracts research expertise, partnerships and funding from across the world as well as contributing to complex global engineering problems.

PhD students take an active role in a range of intellectual and social activities and the AEC gives you opportunities to present ‘work in progress’ and network with other researchers.  

The Brighton Doctoral College offer a training programme for postgraduate researchers, covering research methods and transferable (including employability) skills. Attendance at appropriate modules within this programme is encouraged, as is contribution to the Schools’ various seminar series. Academic and technical staff also provide more subject-specific training. 

The main focus of our Engineering research is to develop new knowledge for advanced energy systems and emerging technologies for ground and space applications. The scope of our research covers a number of fundamental, complimentary activities as outlined below:

  • Thermal propulsion systems - Significant improvements in the efficiency of thermal propulsion systems (e.g. engines), leading to more radical and disruptive approaches to conversion of heat into useful work.
  • Thermofluid processes - Exploration and characterisation of complex thermofluid processes, including fluid dynamics, mass and heat transfer. We use a unique combination of both simulation and experimental work to better understand the physics of flows, droplets and sprays, to allow faster and more robust optimisation and validation of new and improved products.
  • Heat management and energy storage - Design of heat transfer devices (e.g. heat exchangers, heat pipes and other two-phase systems) and energy storage systems, aiming to enhance efficiency of waste heat recovery systems, electronic cooling and renewable energy systems.

Beyond these core research areas many other engineering opportunities are available, including the study of educational technology, remanufacturing processes, magnetostrictive materials and acoustics.

Some of our supervisors

 

Profile photo for Dr Steven Begg

Dr Steven Begg

I am interested in supervising postgraduate research students in experimental thermofluids, powertrain engineering for future transportation, heat transfer, sprays, two-phase flows, laser and optical measurement techniques.

Current PhD students

Mr Zuhaib Nissar (2021-) - Sprays: Liquid Break-up and Droplet Distribution

Ms Aleksandra Skalba (2022-) - Universal Life Cycle Emissions Tool Applied to the EV's in Automotive Sector

Mr Ian Kemp (2022-) - Micropower Volumetric Machines as Energy Recovery Expanders in Two-phase Conditions

Profile photo for Prof Cyril Crua

Prof Cyril Crua

I supervise research students in experimental thermofluids, including the development of optical measurement techniques for droplets, sprays and other complex flows. These subjects are often linked to applications in energy (fuel efficiency, energy recovery, carbon capture), manufacturing (Minimum Quantity Lubrication) and medical devices (bioartificial organs, optical implants).

I have supervised 14 PhDs to completion and examined 20 PhDs in the UK, France, Denmark, Malaysia, and Australia. I currently supervise 3 PhDs researching spray systems and complex fluids (Paul McGinn, Alex Gander, Louis Dacanay).

Profile photo for Dr Anastasios Georgoulas

Dr Anastasios Georgoulas

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling of diabatic two-phase flows with phase change (pool boiling, flow boiling, cavitation), turbulent multiphase flows (water-sediment/turbidity currents, water-air/free surface flows), heat and mass transfer, aerodynamics, HVAC

Profile photo for Prof Marco Marengo

Prof Marco Marengo

My research is very broad and covers different aspects of Mechanical, Aerospace and even Building Engineering. Also, I am applying Engineering and Physics knowledge and skills to design medicine micro-devices. I have supervised over 25 students to completion of their PhD and am keen to supervise more students in the fields of multiphase flow physics, phase change physics (including boiling and condensation), thermal management and particularly heat pipe, energy management, drop and sprays, surface wettability, heat exchangers, microfluidics, lab-on-chip design and modeling, energy saving in building. All these research streams can be open to experimental, numerical and mathematical analysis. In such sense, I am particularly interested in applicants interested in multiscale numerical simulations. 

Profile photo for Prof Robert Morgan

Prof Robert Morgan

My research is in the broad area of sustainability focusing on clean, efficient propulsion for transport and large scale energy systems. My work in engines is currently focused on the recuperated split cycle engine, working industrial partners such as Ricardo and Fiat Powertrain. This research includes experimental activities on engines and test rigs and fundamental modelling of the processes in the engine using computation fluid dynamics. I also work in energy systems, such as liquid air energy storage and sustainable fuels. I welcome approaches from PhD applicants working in these and related areas.

Profile photo for Dr Angad Panesar

Dr Angad Panesar

My supervision interests in the theme of energy engineering via simulation and experimental methods are aligned with my research interests in energy recovery, energy storage, advanced engines, sustainable fuels, low carbon transport and life cycle assessment. I welcome correspondence from potential Placement, PhD and Post-Doctoral applicants, and new academic and industrial collaborators.

Profile photo for Dr Oyuna Rybdylova

Dr Oyuna Rybdylova

I am interested in supervising research students in mathematical and numerical modelling for multiphase flows, aerodynamics and mass and heat transfer.

Completed:

Dr Abbas Al-Ameeri - Effect of climate change on durability of existing concrete structures: Comparison between UK & Iraq

Current:

Mr Zuhaib Nissar - Sprays: Liquid Break-up and Droplet Distribution

Profile photo for Prof Sergei Sazhin

Prof Sergei Sazhin

Numerical and asymptotic modelling of fluid dynamics, heat/mass transfer, and combustion processes in Diesel and gasoline sprays. Heating and evaporation of multi-component fuel droplets (hydrodynamic and kinetic models)

Profile photo for Dr Chris Stafford

Dr Chris Stafford

I am interested in supervising research projects within the broad domain of fluid dynamics modelling. This encompasses both mathematical modelling to extract physical relationships that exist within flows, and numerical modelling to enable and improve the simulation of flows. My main focus is the study of dispersed multiphase flows, where the use of statistical descriptions for the dispersed phase is an active area of research in the development of numerical and mathematical models which are both computationally efficient and accurate. Also of interest is the development of turbulence models that are able to account for the physical effects present in specialised flow configurations.

Profile photo for Dr Simon Walters

Dr Simon Walters

I’m interested in research supervision in: electrical, electronic, automotive, mechanical and aeronautical engineering, including computer science - intelligent systems applications. I have particular interest in: power and high voltage systems, power electronics, intelligent systems - neural networks and fuzzy logic.

PhD Students:

 Name

 Thesis

Rama Rahimi (2022-present)

TBA

Bartosz Płoszaj (2020-present)

TBA

Alan Thomas (2014–present)

Intelligent optimisation techniques for minimising transient vehicle emissions

Shaun H Lee (2011) 

Intelligent techniques for improved engine fuel economy

Merrenna Manula De Zoysa (2003) 

Neural network estimation of air-fuel ratio in internal combustion engines 

Nicolas Miché (2002)

Gas Flow Analysis of a Uniflow Diesel Aero-engine

 

For further supervisory staff including cross-disciplinary options, please visit research staff on our research website. 

 

Making an  application

You will apply to the University of Brighton through our online application portal. When you do, you will require a research proposal, references, a personal statement and a record of your education.

You will be asked whether you have discussed your research proposal and your suitability for doctoral study with a member of the University of Brighton staff. We recommend that all applications are made with the collaboration of at least one potential supervisor. Approaches to potential supervisors can be made directly through the details available online. If you are unsure, please do contact the Doctoral College for advice.

Please visit our How to apply for a PhD page for detailed information.

Sign in to our online application portal to begin.

Fees and funding

Funding

Undertaking research study will require university fees as well as support for your research activities and plans for subsistance during full or part-time study.

Funding sources include self-funding, funding by an employer or industrial partners; there are competitive funding opportunities available in most disciplines through, for example, our own university studentships or national (UK) research councils. International students may have options from either their home-based research funding organisations or may be eligible for some UK funds.

Learn more about the funding opportunities available to you.

Tuition fees academic year 2022–23

Standard fees are listed below, but may vary depending on subject area. Some subject areas may charge bench fees/consumables; this will be decided as part of any offer made. Fees for UK and international/EU students on full-time and part-time courses are likely to incur a small inflation rise each year of a research programme.

MPhil/PhD
 Full-timePart-time

UK

£4,596 

£2,298

International (including EU)

£15,282 

£7,641

International students registered in the School of Humanities and Social Science or in the School of Business and Law

£13,464 

£6,732


PhD by Publication
Full-time Part-time
 N/A  £2,298 (UK)

Contact Brighton Doctoral College

To contact the Doctoral College at the University of Brighton we request an email in the first instance. Please visit our contact the Brighton Doctoral College page.

For supervisory contact, please see individual profile pages.

Back to top
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn icon

Contact us

University of Brighton
Mithras House
Lewes Road
Brighton
BN2 4AT

Main switchboard 01273 600900

Course enquiries

Sign up for updates

University contacts

Report a problem with this page

Quick links Quick links

  • Courses
  • Open days
  • Order a prospectus
  • Academic departments
  • Academic staff
  • Professional services departments
  • Jobs
  • Privacy and cookie policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Libraries
  • Term dates
  • Maps
  • Graduation
  • Site information
  • Online shop
  • COVID-19

Information for Information for

  • Current students
  • International students
  • Media/press
  • Careers advisers/teachers
  • Parents/carers
  • Business/employers
  • Alumni/supporters
  • Suppliers
  • Local residents