Hybrid Modelling PhD Studentship at University of Manchester 2025

The Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Manchester is offering a fully funded PhD position, co-sponsored by Unilever, offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface of academic research and industrial innovation, shaping the future of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) formulations.

In collaboration with Unilever, this project will develop hybrid models that combine physics-informed simulations and machine learning to predict and optimise the rheological properties of surfactant formulations. The focus is on capturing the complex and out-of-equilibrium nature of surfactant self-assembly and identifying key molecular features that influence rheology. By identifying these key molecular features, the research will accelerate product development and drive innovation in sustainable and high-performance formulations. This partnership ensures that your research will have direct industrial relevance, with access to real-world data, cutting-edge facilities, and potential career pathways in industry.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineAugust 31, 2025
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorUniversity of Manchester
• City to studyManchester
• School to studyUniversity of Manchester
• Course to studyChemical Engineering
• Eligible CountryUnited Kingdom

Benefits

• The successful candidate will receive an annual tax free stipend set at the UKRI arte (£19,237 for 2024/25) and tuition fees. Stipend rates are expected to raise per year.
• The successful candidate will work under the joint supervision of Dr. Stephen Flores ([email protected]) and Dr. Dongda Zhang ([email protected]) at the University of Manchester, benefiting from a dynamic academic environment and strong industry collaboration

Requirements

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

Application Documents

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

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Application Deadline

How To Apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing [email protected].

For more details, visit University of Manchester Scholarship webpage