Join us

We are excited to work with a wide range of individuals and organisations,
and welcome new connections

PhD Opportunities

Discover more about our exciting training programme and how to apply for a PhD with us!

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Academic Supervisors

Find out how academics at our partners can submit to the Materials 4.0 project calls!

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Industry Collaborators

Learn about opportunities to fund studentships, collaborate with our academics, or support your staff in a “PhD at work”

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Apply for a PhD

We have a range of projects that involve all aspects of Materials 4.0 and span across the Royce research areas. New PhD projects will be posted on this page each year in advance of each cohort. You can also sign up as an expression of interest here and we will let you know when new projects become available.

We encourage prospective PhD researchers to reach out to the relevant project supervisors with questions about their projects before you complete an application.

Why do a PhD with us?

Our CDT offers a comprehensive training programme, using world class facilities in a supportive environment. Key benefits include:

  • The Royce Partners collectively possess an unrivalled suite of materials fabrication, characterisation and testing facilities, and world leading expertise.
  • Exposure to the Royce national network and industrial collaborators, with one of them co-supervising each project.
  • Flexible and inclusive pathways for study, including options for part-time study and the opportunity to study whilst working and being sponsored by your employer. If you have any questions, please contact us to discuss your needs and requirements.
  • Fully-funded programme, covering fees, tax-free stipend and a research allowance.
  • Cohort-based training will facilitate the development of a network of specialists in Materials 4.0 spread throughout the UK.
  • Our comprehensive training programme will help you develop from learners to leaders

Our Centre management team are on hand to answer any questions you may have. Get in touch with them here.

Supervisors – 
submit a project

Are you a prospective supervisor from one of the partner organisations? Find out how to get involved in supervising a Materials 4.0 PhD project:

Academic Supervisors

We welcome proposals from supervisors based at our partner universities for postgraduate research projects in Materials 4.0. The research projects must fulfil two basic criteria:

  1. they must develop a new capability, going beyond simply applying existing methods to create new ways of working within the scope of Materials 4.0; and
  2. the capability developed must be applicable to multiple sub-domains of materials.

These criteria will ensure PhD researchers develop the knowledge and skills required to drive impactful, ground-breaking research in materials science.

PhD project proposals for cohort 3 (starting Autumn 2026) can now be submitted

 

Round 1 – Now Closed, Decisions will be made by Monday 20 October 2025

Round 2 – Now Open! – deadline: Monday 1 December 2025

Round 3 – Open Tuesday 2 December 2025; deadline: Monday 2 February 2026

Round 4 – Open Tuesday 3 February 2026; deadline: Monday 30 March 2026

If you are interested in submitting a PhD proposal for cohort 3, please get in touch with your local co-investigator – particularly if you are yet to secure industrial funding.