Development of Digital Failure Investigation Tools for Titanium Alloys
Not stated
- Funding
- Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
- Application deadline
- 8 January 2027
About the project
About the Project This project is part of cohort 4 of the EPSRC CDT in Developing National Capability for Materials 4.0, with the Henry Royce Institute. This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of aerospace materials research while gaining extensive industrial experience. Titanium alloys such as Ti-6Al-4V are critical for jet-engine components, yet their failure mechanisms under long-term and cyclic loading are complex and not fully understood. Improving this understanding is essential for extending the service life of these components, improving efficiency, reducing waste, and supporting the aerospace industry’s sustainability goals. This project will develop advanced digital tools that automatically link electron microscopy images of fracture surfaces with mechanical loading conditions and local microstructural features. These tools will enable faster and more accurate failure analysis, helping to keep components in service for longer and drive innovation in future designs. A defining feature of this PhD is the extensive time you will spend at Rolls-Royce. You will gain hands-on experience with real aerospace components and receive bespoke training in failure analysis directly from industry experts. Your studies will be based at the University of Manchester, combining advanced electron microscopy, image analysis, and computational techniques to create automated systems capable of handling complex, hybrid datasets. Your research will explore the formation of fracture surface features such as facets and striations, and develop methods to correlate these with microstructure and loading history. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to high-impact research that supports a more sustainable aerospace industry. You will not only advance fundamental understanding of fatigue and fracture but also deliver practical tools that help reduce material waste and extend component life. As part of the EPSRC CDT, you will benefit from world-class training, a vibrant research community, and strong links to industry. Graduates from this programme are highly sought after in both academia and the aerospace sector, opening doors to careers at the cutting edge of materials science and engineering. We encourage you to apply if you are motivated by real-world challenges and want to work closely with leading academic and industrial partners. Funding Notes This is a fully-funded project, part of cohort 4 of the EPSRC CDT in Developing National Capabilities in Materials 4.0. The studentship covers fees (home), a tax-free stipend of at least £21,805 plus London allowance if applicable, and a research training support grant. Enquiries For general enquiries, please contact doctoral-training@royce.ac.uk . For application-related queries, please contact doctoral-training@royce.ac.uk For project-related queries, please contact the lead supervisor, Alec E. Davis ( alec.davis@manchester.ac.uk ) Application Process Please note that each partner of the CDT in Materials 4.0 will have its own application process. The Materials 4.0 CDT is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups. Application Web Page https://pgapplication.manchester.ac.uk/apply/signon.html Select Postgraduate Research, then 2027/28 academic year, and then CDT in Materials 4.0.