Imperial’s Department of Design Engineering is offering a funded PhD Position exploring recycled materials for lightweight structures. The scholarship is open for the academic session 2025/2027.

To qualify, students must possess a solid undergraduate or master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as engineering or materials science. A passion for sustainability, manufacturing innovation, and advanced design processes is essential, along with meeting the university’s doctoral admission criteria.

Imperial College London is a world-leading public research university located in London, England, renowned especially for its focus on science, engineering, medicine, and business. Established in 1907 through the merger of the Royal College of Science, the Royal School of Mines, and the City and Guilds College, Imperial traces its earliest roots to the Royal College of Chemistry founded in 1845.

Application Deadline: The application deadline is 09 January 2026.

Brief Description

• University or Organization: Imperial College London
• Department: Department of Design Engineering
• Course Level: PhD (Doctoral Research)
• Award: Design Engineering PhD Scholarship (DEPS) – fully funded studentship
• Access Mode: Online (application submission)
• Number of Awards: NA
• Nationality: Domestic and international
• The award can be taken in: United Kingdom

Eligibility

• Eligible Countries: Applicants from any country may apply.
• Acceptable Course or Subjects: The scholarship will be awarded for a PhD program within the Department of Design Engineering, focusing on sustainable design, manufacturing, materials engineering, or related themes.
• Admissible Criteria: To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
  • Hold a strong undergraduate or master’s degree in engineering, materials science, design engineering, or a closely related field.
  • Demonstrate interest or experience in manufacturing processes, sustainable materials, structural design, or thermoforming technologies.
  • Possess excellent analytical, experimental, or modelling skills relevant to the project’s aims.
  • Meet Imperial College London’s PhD admission requirements.
  • Be capable of conducting innovative research in line with the project’s sustainability goals.

How to Apply

• Interested candidates must contact Dr Nan Li to discuss their interest before applying.
• Submit a formal PhD application through the university’s online portal.
• When completing the application, cite the project title in the section titled “how you are planning to fund your PhD”.

Benefits

• Fully funded PhD scholarship covering tuition fees.
• Stipend to support living costs for the duration of the studentship.
• Opportunity to work on an impactful sustainability-focused research project.
• Access to world-class facilities in design, materials, and manufacturing at Imperial College London.
• Collaboration with leading researchers and exposure to industry-relevant innovation.

Apply Now