[School of Natural Sciences PhD Scholarships] Unravelling the Role of Configurational Entropy in Mechanical Properties of High-Entropy Ceramics

About the project

About the Project Unravelling the Mechanical Secrets of High-Entropy Ceramics Can we discover new principles for designing tougher and stronger ceramics by controlling their atomic complexity? High-entropy ceramics are a new and rapidly developing class of materials in which multiple elements are combined within a single crystal structure. Their unusual combinations of chemistry and structure offer exciting opportunities for creating materials with exceptional properties for demanding environments. Yet, one fundamental question remains unanswered: does configurational entropy itself influence the intrinsic mechanical behaviour of ceramics? This PhD project will tackle this question by developing a new experimental and computational approach to separate the effects of chemistry, microstructure and configurational entropy. You will create dense, coarse-grained high-entropy ceramics with different crystal structures, including fluorite, rocksalt and spinel, using advanced spark plasma sintering (SPS). These carefully controlled materials will provide model systems for investigating how atomic complexity influences mechanical behaviour. Using focused ion beam (FIB) technology, you will then fabricate miniature mechanical specimens from individual grains and across grain boundaries. Advanced nanoindentation and micromechanical testing will be used to probe their intrinsic mechanical response, including stiffness, hardness, strength, deformation and fracture. You will work at the forefront of materials characterisation, combining mechanical testing with scanning electron microscopy, transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). This will allow you to connect what happens during mechanical deformation to the crystallographic and atomic-scale structure of the material. The experimental work will be combined with density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. These computational approaches will reveal how atomic bonding, grain-boundary structure and atomic-scale deformation contribute to the measured mechanical properties. By bringing together advanced experiments and modelling, the project aims to establish a fundamental link between configurational entropy, atomic structure and mechanical performance. You will receive interdisciplinary training across advanced ceramic processing, FIB, electron microscopy, micromechanical testing, nanoindentation and computational materials science, supported by researchers and state-of-the-art facilities at the University of Manchester and the Henry Royce Institute. The project will also provide opportunities to work with academic and industrial collaborators. The outcomes will provide new fundamental understanding of high-entropy ceramics and could establish new strategies for designing stronger, tougher and more damage-tolerant materials for extreme environments. 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 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

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