[School of Natural Sciences PhD Scholarships] Blistering Across Scales

About the project

About the Project This project seeks to uncover the fundamental principles that govern blister formation in thin elastic structures. Blisters appear in a remarkable range of contexts, from voids that undermine the reliability of advanced semiconductor devices to the delamination of thin composite layers under compression. At first sight these phenomena seem unrelated, yet they share a common origin: whenever a thin structure cannot easily stretch, excess length, area, or trapped fluid is accommodated by the spontaneous emergence of localized buckled regions. Blistering is therefore one of nature’s most efficient mechanisms for relieving mechanical frustration, transforming hidden stresses into striking and often technologically significant patterns. Our vision is to develop a unified framework for understanding how blisters nucleate, evolve, and interact with their surroundings across this broad spectrum of systems. Despite their ubiquity, blistering phenomena remain poorly understood because they arise from a delicate interplay between elasticity, adhesion, geometry, material properties, and, in some cases, fluid flow. These interactions produce rich dynamics, including moving fronts, delamination waves, defect formation, and complex shape transitions that challenge existing theories. This PhD project will integrate mathematical analysis, large-scale computation, and experiments. The resulting framework will provide new insight into a broad class of instability-driven phenomena encountered in thin films, soft materials, flexible electronics, biological systems, and advanced manufacturing. Sitting at the interface of applied mathematics, physics, engineering, and materials science, the project aims not only to advance fundamental understanding but also to open new opportunities for controlling and harnessing blistering in technological applications. The successful candidate will join the Physics of Fluids and Soft Matter group, an interdisciplinary research team within the Manchester Centre for Nonlinear Dynamics (MCND). Bringing together experimentalists, theorists, and computational researchers from Physics and Mathematics, MCND builds on Manchester's longstanding strengths in fundamental mechanics to provide a distinctive multidisciplinary training environment of international standing. This project is expected to start in September 2027. Before you apply: We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisors for this project before you apply. How to apply: To be considered for this project you must complete a formal application through our online application portal. If you already have an applicant account this link will directly open an application for PhD School of Natural Sciences Scholarships . If you don’t already have an applicant account, please follow the instructions here . When applying, please specify the full title and supervisor/s of the project, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. You must also upload a Supporting Statement describing your motivation to apply to the project, your CV and transcripts of awarded and in-progress university qualifications . Please note late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester and central to all our activities. A diverse research community strengthens creativity, productivity and quality, while increasing the societal and economic impact of our work. We welcome applicants from all career paths, backgrounds and sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation or transgender status. We welcome applications from candidates returning to study after a career break or experience in other roles. Flexible study arrangements may be available, including part-time study at 50%, 60% or 80%, subject to the requirements of the project and funder. Eligibility : The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field (or international equivalent) OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit in Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field (or international equivalent). Previous research experience in experimental physics, fluid and soft-matter mechanics, theoretical modelling, or scientific computing and excellent interpersonal, written, and presentation skills is desirable. This project will remain open until filled. If your application is submitted by 1 st November 2026, you can expect a decision by 18 th December 2026. If your application is submitted by 15 th January 2027, you can expect a decision by 30 th March 2027. Self or externally funded students can also be considered for this project. FSESoNS

Research areas