Materials, Design and Manufacturing PhD / MPhil

Overview

This PhD programme offers the opportunity to contribute to world-leading research in materials, design and manufacturing, with strong industrial, clinical and academic collaborations. Researchers tackle global challenges through interdisciplinary innovation, from atomic-scale materials to advanced manufacturing technologies.

Introduction

The PhD programme in the Department of Materials, Design and Manufacturing Engineering offers a dynamic and collaborative research environment, empowering postgraduate researchers to address complex engineering challenges. The programme spans a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines, from atomic layer material development to full-scale product manufacturing.

Our postgraduate researchers engage in pioneering research in areas such as biomedical engineering, sustainable materials, laser and surface engineering, and healthcare technologies. We also have a wide variety of specialist research facilities spanning functional thin film materials, additive manufacturing, soft matter, biomaterials, biomedical/healthcare devices, and materials characterisation, laser processing, nuclear, renewable energy technology, product design, virtual technology and advanced simulation.

We foster a research culture that values user-centred design, collaboration with industry partners, and real-world impact. You’ll be trained in advanced techniques and supported in publishing, commercialising innovation and building your career. Our graduates emerge as globally-aware and solutions-focused engineers, ready for roles in academia, industry and research-intensive settings.

Research topics

The research conducted in the Department of Materials, Design and Manufacturing Engineering encompasses a wide range of topics that fall under the broad categories of materials, manufacturing or design. There is extensive opportunity for multidisciplinary research, so your research may often span well beyond the traditional borders of these three engineering disciplines.

The list of topics below is intended to give a broad overview and does not cover all the possible research opportunities that our staff can offer PhD supervision in.

• Functional thin film materials and nanostructured materials for applications spanning microelectronics, sensors, renewable energy technologies, and advanced catalysts
• Renewable energy and energy storage materials, including solar PV, photo-electrodes for solar fuels, and battery materials
• Nuclear materials, including research in the behaviour of materials in extreme environments
• Advanced material characterisation including world-leading research in advanced electron microscopy, laser accelerator science and advanced thin film characterisation
• Soft matter, including the development of novel formulations for the production of soft matter and the characterisation of rheological properties of soft materials
• Biomaterial surfaces, including the development of antimicrobial surfaces and the modification of surfaces to drive cellular response
• Micromechanical properties of biomaterials, including investigations into changes in tissue properties with age or disease
• Advanced multifunctional materials, including the development of resilient porous ceramic structures and MOF-based composites.
• Assistive technology, such as technologies that allow independent living for an ageing population
• Biosensors
• Ocular technology to treat various diseases and conditions
• Ocular modelling, such as the development of digital twins of eyes to aid surgeons
• Regenerative medical technologies
• Antimicrobial coatings for implants, wound dressing and for water purification.
• Laser processing (for example, laser forming, additive manufacturing, surface patterning, sub-surface patterning, and femtosecond laser processing)
• Additive manufacturing of traditional engineering materials (for example, laser-based AM, binder jet AM, and e-beam AM)
• Additive manufacturing of advanced functional materials
• Ultra-thin film deposition (for example, atomic layer deposition, MOCVD, and area selective deposition)
• Sustainable manufacturing
• Biomaterial processing (for example, electrospinning, and pip pen lithography).
• Molecular and particle dynamic simulation
• Modelling and simulation of nuclear reactors.
• AI-human co-design
• Immersive technologies
• Bioinspired design.

Research culture

The Department of Materials, Design and Manufacturing Engineering is part of the School of Engineering. It fosters a vibrant and inclusive research culture, driven by innovation and collaboration. Research spans diverse areas, including sustainable infrastructure, advanced materials, robotics, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy. Postgraduate researchers benefit from access to world-class facilities, interdisciplinary research centres, and industry partnerships, promoting impactful, real-world solutions.

The school encourages knowledge exchange through seminars, workshops and conferences, creating a stimulating environment for academic growth. Postgraduate researchers are supported by a network of peers and experienced researchers, making Liverpool an inspiring place to develop as an independent, forward-thinking engineer.

(Research Excellence Framework, 2021)

How to apply

• 1. Identify potential supervisors View the staff list for the School of Engineering for details of potential supervisors in this area. If you’d like any help finding a supervisor, please email pgeng@liverpool.ac.uk .

1. Identify potential supervisors

• 2. Prepare your application documents You may need the following documents to complete your online application: A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake) University transcripts and degree certificates to date Passport details (international applicants only) English language certificates (international applicants only) A personal statement A curriculum vitae (CV) Contact details for two proposed supervisors Names and contact details of two referees.

2. Prepare your application documents

• A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake)
• University transcripts and degree certificates to date
• Passport details (international applicants only)
• English language certificates (international applicants only)
• A personal statement
• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• Contact details for two proposed supervisors
• Names and contact details of two referees.
• 3. Apply Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

If you’re a UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Republic of Ireland student, tuition fees for academic year 2026/27 are:

If you’re an international student, tuition fees for academic year 2026/27 are:

Please note, the tuition fee you pay will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others, for example if you’re required to undertake laboratory work. You’ll be informed of the fee for your intended PhD in your offer letter.

The University may administer inflationary rises to international fees in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.

• Full time: £5,238 per year
• Part-time: £2,619 per year.
• Full time: £25,350 or £32,200 per year.
• Part time: £12,650 or £16,100 per year.

Additional costs

Typical bench fees within the School are currently:

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this degree, as well as general student living costs .

• £1,250 per year for desk-based research as a contribution towards the costs of IT facilities, consumables and participation in research events
• £2,500 per year for laboratory-based research as a contribution towards the costs of laboratory materials, laboratory maintenance, IT facilities, consumables and participation in research events
• £5,000 per year for material intensive or bio-medical laboratory-based research as a contribution towards the costs of materials or bio-medical materials, laboratory maintenance, IT facilities, consumables and participation in research events.

Funding your PhD

If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.

There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding . These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom . Change it here.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.

Duncan Norman Research Scholarship

If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £23,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.

John Lennon Memorial Scholarship

If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Facilities and resources

PhD researchers have access to cutting-edge equipment and dedicated research space within the Digital Innovation Facility (DIF), Albert Crew Microscopy Centre and the Liverpool Materials Innovation Factory (MIF).

These centres support advanced characterisation, prototyping, and digital innovation. Ongoing investment in strategic equipment and infrastructure ensures support for both core and emerging research areas.

Career support from day one to graduation and beyond

Once you graduate after completing your PhD, you’ll gain free access to Prosper to help you unlock your potential and kickstart your postdoctoral research career.

Prosper provides structured career development and support, designed specifically for postdocs, in close collaboration with employer partners and principal investigators.

Opportunities include coaching, workshops, webinars and a buddy scheme designed to help you realise the next step in your career journey.

You can also access online resources including the Prosper portal so you can manage your personal and professional development at your own pace.

As a postgraduate researcher at the University of Liverpool, you have access to an exciting portfolio of development opportunities, designed to support your ongoing success and help you realise your ambitions.

These development opportunities, available through The Academy’s PGR Development Hub , are suitable for all subject specialisms. You might be just commencing your research or in the final stages of completing your PhD.

An initial Development Needs Analysis will encourage you to reflect on your abilities. This exploration of your personal, professional and career development needs will form the foundation of a bespoke development plan you’ll agree with your supervisor.

The aim is to immerse yourself in new experiences, engage in development opportunities designed exclusively for postgraduate researchers, and reflect on your progress.

Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in planning for your future career.

You can access tailored guidance and support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops.

The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.

Meet our PhD researchers

These are the trailblazers, the leaders, the true originals. Our postgraduate researchers are shaping their future, and the future of the world we live in, advancing knowledge with each discovery.

Entry requirements

Discover the qualifications you'll need to apply for this course.

The typical entry requirement is an Honours degree in an Engineering, Physical Sciences or Computer Sciences subject at a level of: Bachelor’s degree only – 1st Class Integrated master’s degree – 2:1 or above Master’s degree – Pass. Bachelor’s degree outcome irrelevant. Each application is assessed individually to reflect your qualifications with respect to the requirements for each individual programme. Mature students are eligible via standard University requirements, which allow appropriate qualifications plus experience as an alternative to an Honours degree.

The typical entry requirement is an Honours degree in an Engineering, Physical Sciences or Computer Sciences subject at a level of:

Each application is assessed individually to reflect your qualifications with respect to the requirements for each individual programme.

Mature students are eligible via standard University requirements, which allow appropriate qualifications plus experience as an alternative to an Honours degree.

• Bachelor’s degree only – 1st Class
• Integrated master’s degree – 2:1 or above
• Master’s degree – Pass. Bachelor’s degree outcome irrelevant.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country .

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications .

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

Qualification | Details

IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5

TOEFL iBT | If you took a TOEFL test on or before 20 January 2026, you’ll need 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19. If you took a TOEFL test from 21 January 2026 onwards, when a new scoring system was introduced, you’ll need 4.5 overall, with 4 or above in all components. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.

Pre-sessional English

Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?

The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.

If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests , to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.

Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.

Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online

6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 6 weeks | On campus or online

5.5 overall, with no more than one component at 5.0 | 10 weeks | On campus or online

5.5 overall, with no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | Online

5.0 overall, with no component below 5.0 | 20 weeks | On campus

5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus

4.5 overall, with no more than one component at 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus

If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.

Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5, for further details.

Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Research areas