Overview: PhD Opportunity, Fully Funded, £23,237 Tax-Free Stipend + £7,000 Research Support
Title: Advancing High-Energy Electromagnetic Propagation in Adverse Conditions
Location: Cranfield University (Defence and Security), Shrivenham
Start Date: 6 October 2025
Application Deadline: 30 July 2025
Eligibility: UK Nationals only (BPSS clearance required)
Ref: CDS089
Are you fascinated by how energy behaves in extreme conditions? Passionate about laser interactions, plasma physics, RF technologies or materials science? This fully funded PhD opportunity at Cranfield University, in collaboration with leading defence company MBDA, offers the chance to tackle real-world challenges in energy transfer and help shape future technologies in defence and beyond.
Funded through the EPSRC Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub, this project will explore how high-energy signals propagate in poor weather and investigate innovative techniques to deliver energy accurately over long distances. You’ll develop key expertise in electromagnetic propagation and sensing across electro-optical (EO), infrared (IR) and radar systems—skills in high demand across research, defence and industry.
Project Overview
Your research will focus on:
- Modelling and simulating how poor weather affects high-energy propagation.
- Exploring how signal transmission varies with frequency and sensing modality.
- Investigating the use of pulsed vs. continuous wave (CW) energy delivery methods for maximum efficiency and accuracy.
You’ll gain hands-on experience with advanced modelling tools and collaborate closely with MBDA engineers throughout your PhD, including during an industry placement.
💡 Why Cranfield?
As part of Cranfield’s world-renowned Defence and Security group, you’ll study in a unique academic setting embedded within the UK Defence Academy. The Doctoral Hub offers a supportive, research-intensive environment with strong links to the wider defence and engineering sectors.
You’ll benefit from:
- A diverse academic community with deep expertise across engineering and science disciplines.
- Access to specialist facilities and training tailored to the defence sector.
- Participation in a national cohort of PhD students through the EPSRC Hub, with regular training, networking, and knowledge-sharing events.
Unique to the Energy Transfer Technologies Hub
- Industry-led training: Work alongside experts at MBDA—Europe’s #1 defence company—who co-fund and co-supervise your research.
- Generous funding: £23,237 tax-free stipend + £7,000 annually for travel, conferences and research consumables.
- Cohort support: Join a dynamic, interdisciplinary research community across UK institutions with access to joint events, technical workshops, and collaborative opportunities.
Who Should Apply?
We welcome applicants with:
- A minimum 2:1 UK honours degree (or international equivalent) in physics, engineering, or a related discipline.
- A strong interest in applied science areas such as RF, laser technologies, or sensor systems.
- UK nationality and the ability to obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.
How to apply
To apply please click above 'Apply' button above to be redirected to our website.
For information about applications please contact: a.balleri@cranfield.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1234 863867
If you are eligible to apply for this PhD, please complete the online application form.
You should upload an up-to-date CV and use the Personal statement section of the form to justify your case for securing this opportunity.
Exceptions of registration times only apply to the EPSRC National Productivity Studentships, Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs), and iCASE awards where the PhD is specified to take four year full-time study. In such cases students should be registered for 3 years (or four if this is specified) for a full-time PhD.
£23,237. Tax-Free Stipend
