Nature Inspired Acoustic Sensors & Devices

Key facts

• Opens: Thursday 15 October 2026
• Deadline: Tuesday 31 August 2027
• Number of places: 1
• Duration: 4 years
• Funding: Equipment costs, Home fee, Stipend, Travel costs

Eligibility

First or Upper Second Class Hons degree, or MSc, in Engineering, Physics or related field.

Project Details

Acoustics, including sound waves and mechanical vibrations, have diverse applications in science and technology that can impact society at multiple levels from energy management to medicine. We are seeking an excellent student to pursue a PhD aligned to our interdisciplinary Leverhulme Doctoral School in Nature-Inspired Acoustics (NIA) .

Biomimicry studies nature's scientific principles and uses them as inspiration for designs or processes with the goal of solving human problems. The interdisciplinary research of the doctoral school aims to pioneer discoveries in basic materials science and measurement sciences to develop technologies for creating complex biomimetic acoustic structures and to develop biomimetic sensors such as miniaturised, low-energy, insect-inspired microphones.

Within physical sciences, biologically-inspired technology in acoustics has been explored in many systems from insects to mammals. Miniaturised devices inspired by insects are potentially useful for distributed sensing, integrating a variety of sensors for acoustics, temperature, pathogens, etc. To date such state-of-the-art devices only approximately replicate the biological form rather than the complex structural and signal processing functionalities of insect systems, require a significant power supply, and are far less durable. In collaboration with the other themes within the doctoral school this PhD will focus on developing new nature-inspired sensors integrating biomimetic structure and function and enabling low-energy distributed sensing.

The successful applicant will have a strong background in engineering or physics.

The successful applicant should have experience in research or a practical project at the bachelor’s or master’s level. They should further demonstrate keen intellectual curiosity and excellent communication skills to contribute to the overall interdisciplinary programme.

Further information

See the Leverhulme Doctoral School in Nature Inspired Acoustics website for further information.

The doctoral school is deeply committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). True innovation thrives in an environment where diverse perspectives intersect, challenge, and inspire one another. We actively seek candidates from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Apply now and become a catalyst for positive change.

Funding details

A tax-free stipend of approx. £21,805 per annum.

While there is no funding in place for opportunities marked "unfunded", there are lots of different options to help you fund postgraduate research. Visit funding your postgraduate research for links to government grants, research councils funding and more, that could be available.

Professor James Windmill

Electronic and Electrical Engineering

• Primary Supervisor: Prof James Windmill
• Additional Supervisor/s: Dr Andrew Reid

Apply

There is a 2-stage application process. Applicants should first complete the cover letter template (see website) and send it with a detailed CV to nia-leverhulme@strath.ac.uk . Applicants should confirm their fee status, detail their background, interest in the research area, and fit for the project as outlined. Applicants successful at the first stage will be invited to an online interview. Outcomes will be communicated by email in the week following the interview. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Number of places: 1

To read how we process personal data, applicants can review our 'Privacy Notice for Student Applicants and Potential Applicants' on our Privacy notices' web page .

Contact us

Professor James Windmill (email: james.windmill@strath.ac.uk )

Research areas