Realising the potential of additive manufacturing in critical parts: certifying impossible geometries.

Supervisory Team: Thomas Blumensath, Richard Boardman, Mark Mavrogordato and Joe Lifton

This project will develop novel X-ray imaging techniques to inspect modern aerospace components. Modern manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing, allow us to design and build components with very complex shapes. However unless we are able to test each component for internal defects, they can often note be certified to fly. This project will develop X-ray inspection tools to image internal defects in objects with complex shapes.

Aviation is a key source of global CO2 emissions. The design, manufacture and safe operation of more efficient aviation engines is thus key. This can only be achieved using modern design and manufacturing techniques, such as the use of additive manufacturing (AM). The main hurdle that currently prevents the routine use of these techniques in the aerospace industry is however the lack of reliable non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques that can guarantee operational safety.

This project will develop novel X-ray based NDE inspection techniques for complex, fuel efficient aeroengine components. In particular, you will develop advanced procedure to optimize X-ray inspection techniques that will be able to reveal internal component defects. Your work will involve sophisticated experimental and simulation using state-of-the-art facilities unique to the UK.

Ideally, you should have some interest and experience in coding, e.g. Python, MATLAB, etc. The project is sponsored by Rolls-Royce and will involve regular site visits to Roll Royce in the UK. 

Working with a well-established group of PhDs and Doctoral researchers, this PhD project will build on many years’ experience within the nationally and internationally recognized µ-VIS labs (www.muvis.org and http://www.nxct.ac.uk

). Funding for this position is available to cover the stipend plus fees for UK and EU students (with our Horizon Europe fee waiver https://www.southampton.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/scholarships/postgraduate-uk/horizon-europe-fee-waiver). We are unfortunately not able to cover the difference in tuition fees for other international students.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing date: 1 April 2025. Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

Funding: Funding for UK and EU (with Horizon waiver) students plus tuition fees and an enhanced stipend of £20235 tax-free per annum for up to 4 years. Partially funded through Rolls-Royce plus competitive internal funding.

How To Apply

Apply online:  Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk) Select programme type (Research), 2025/26, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD Eng & Env (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Professor Thomas Blumensath

Applications should include:

Research Proposal

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk