[School of Natural Sciences PhD Scholarships] Mechanics of disordered elastic foams

About the project

About the Project Foam-like elastic structures are found in many natural and artificial materials, from sponges, plant cells, and animal bones to highly compressible rubber foams. One way to model these is as a collection of tiny thin elastic rods, attached together in a network structure of nodes and edges. As the structure is deformed, the edges bend and twist while the nodes are displaced. This kind of geometry is naturally treated using discrete calculus, with continuous derivatives being replaced by discrete equivalents embodying the relationships between nodes and edges, coupling forces and moments to displacements and rotations. The primary goal of this project will be to build on existing work for regular hexagonal foams, and write the equations of motion in a discrete setting for an arbitrary three-dimensional elastic disordered foam. Drawing on ideas from modelling multicellular tissues, simulations of the discrete system will be interpreted using discrete measures of stress and strain to identify how geometry influences mechanical and acoustic behaviour. Potential areas of further study include an understanding of how isolated defects may affect the response of a regular lattice, and uncovering geometric design principles for disordered mechanical metamaterials. In addition to direct supervisory support, the student will take part in regular meetings of the active Mathematics of Waves and Materials group, and will benefit from 100 hours of taught courses in relevant areas of Mathematics. 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 (or international equivalent) in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit (or international equivalent) in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD. This project will remain open until filled. If your application is submitted by 1st November 2026, you can expect a decision by 18th December 2026. If your application is submitted by 15th January 2027, you can expect a decision by 30th March 2027. Self or externally funded students can also be considered for this project. FSESoNS

Research areas