Studentships

The candidate will be working on an exciting project on a novel fuel concept for the future low-carbon transport in the Centre for Advanced Powertrain and Fuels at Brunel University of London. The project will investigate the fundamentals of nanobubbles in liquid fuels and their applications in combustion engines. Molecular Dynamics (MD) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations will be employed to provide insights on the microscopic behaviour of nanobubbles in liquid fuels and their subsequent impact on fuel injection and combustion process at engine relevant conditions. The successful applicant will become a member of a large research group working on the project, which includes experimental and modelling studies and will work in close collaboration with other members of the team and external research partners. The candidate will attend regular project meetings to report the research progress and is expected to contribute in preparation of journal papers and conference proceedings.  Experience in Molecular Dynamics (MD) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations will be an advantage.  You should be highly motivated, able to work independently as well as in a team, collaborate with others and have effective communication skills.  For informal queries, please contact Prof Xinyan Wang: xinyan.wang@brunel.ac.uk.

Applications are invited for one full-time PhD studentship within the Mechanical Engineering Department funded by the EPSRC doctoral training programme. The PhD studentship is for a period of 42 Months effective 1 October 2026. The successful applicant will receive an annual stipend (bursary) of £22780 plus payment of their full-time Home fees. Cardiovascular diseases remain a major global health concern, and many patients depend on multiple daily medications. However, traditional tablet manufacturing offers limited flexibility to tailor treatments or combine drugs efficiently. This PhD project aims to overcome these challenges by developing sustainable, point-of-care 3D printing of personalised cardiovascular polypills, with the goal of simplifying treatment and improving patient adherence. This project is a collaboration between Brunel University London’s Engineering Department and Kingston University’s School of Pharmacy, bringing together expertise in pharmaceutical science, digital design, and materials and manufacturing engineering. You will join a supportive, interdisciplinary research community at the forefront of healthcare innovation, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. Using cutting-edge pharmaceutical printing technologies, you will fabricate and evaluate 3D-printed polypills designed to improve treatment adherence and therapeutic outcomes. Training opportunities within this project include advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing, bioink development, dissolution testing, and advanced materials and drug-release characterisation, as well as high-impact communication skills. These experiences will prepare you for careers across academia, the pharmaceutical industry, or the healthcare sector. This interdisciplinary project is ideal for candidates from pharmacy, chemical engineering, biomedical sciences, materials science, or related disciplines, particularly those interested in personalised medicine, green pharmaceutical innovation, and advanced manufacturing. If you are passionate about driving innovation in healthcare and contributing to sustainable, patient-centred solutions, this project offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while developing cutting-edge skills at the forefront of pharmaceutical science and advanced manufacturing. Please contact Dr Bin Zhang at bin.zhang@brunel.ac.uk for an informal discussion about the studentship.