Studentships

Project title: Landscape study for micro siting of small vertical axis wind turbines

MSc by Research in School of Engineering and Computing

Reference number: TreesWT

Applications are invited for an MSc by Research in the Research Institute for Engineering, within the School of Engineering and Computing. Both home and EU or international applicants may apply. The post is self-funded.

It is expected the successful applicant will commence September 2025.

Project description:

Trees are typically considered as obstacles for small wind turbine applications. However, their precise effect on the performance of wind turbines in their vicinity has so far received little research attention. It is therefore of interest to study, through experiments and modelling work, the airflow around trees with dense foliage (e.g., conifers) and to examine how certain tree configurations could influence or even improve the wind environment at a site where small vertical axis wind turbines are planned.

Preliminary research has shown the need to accurately measure the inertial resistance of trees. The inertial resistance will be measured in this project using suitably identified “tree material” in a wind tunnel. The sensitivity of the results to different aerodynamic porosities of the material will be examined.

A 2D simulation of the flow around a conifer tree will be conducted via ANSYS Fluent CFD solver using the measured values of the inertia resistance. The flow patterns will be compared with 2D simulated results and experimental flow patterns around an artificial and a natural conifer tree, as well as with the results obtained from previous work.

There is the option of PhD progression after successful completion of this MSc by Research.

Further information

Informal project related enquiries about the post can be made by email:

• Dr Katerina Fragaki
• Dr Jules Simo

How to apply

Applications should be completed on our online application system, selecting the following options:

• Type of study: Research degree (postgraduate)
• Course: Master of Science (by Research)
• Campus: Preston Campus
• Mode of study: full-time

Please quote the reference number TreesWT on the application form.

• Closing date: Monday 7 July 2025
• Proposed interview date: TBC
• Expected start date: September 2025

Current research students are not eligible to apply for this studentship.

Project title: Natural ventilation of Photovoltaic (PV) modules using the cooling effect of wind speed for temperature reduction

MSc by Research in School of Engineering and Computing

Reference number: NatVentPV

Applications are invited for an MSc by Research in the Research Institute for Engineering, within the School of Engineering and Computing. Both Home and EU/International Applicants may apply. The post is self-funded.

It is expected the successful applicant will commence September 2025.

Project description:

Elevated operating temperatures cause decrease in efficiency and degradation of the solar cells over time. Reduction rates typically range from 0.4% / 5^oC to 0.5% / 5^oC. The most cost-effective option to improve the cooling of photovoltaic panels is to make the most of natural wind. Although the airgap between the panel and the mounting surface, the tilt and the sparsity of module arrangements have attracted the attention of researchers, little consideration has been given so far to the morphology of the ground at the location of the PV panels. The study builds on and expands current research at the School of Engineering and Computing on this topic and it will be a quantitative investigation of the increasing wind speed on solar panel temperature. ANSYS Fluent will be used to study through a 2D analysis, then progressively through 3D analysis how specific morphologies and types of the ground underneath the panels can enhance the cooling effect of wind speed. The work will include preliminary experiments in a wind tunnel. There is the option of PhD progression after successful completion of this MSc by research.

Further information:

Informal project related enquiries about the post can be made by emailing:

• Dr Katerina Fragaki
• Dr Jules Simo

How to apply

Applications should be completed on our online application system, selecting the following options:

• Type of Study: Research Degree (Postgraduate)
• Course: Master of Science (by Research)
• Campus: Preston Campus
• Mode of Study:  full-time

Please quote the reference number NatVentPV on the application form.

• Closing Date: Monday 7 July 2025
• Proposed Interview Date: TBC
• Expected Start Date: September 2025

Project title: Development of a Small-Scale Electromagnetic Separator – Masters by Research

MSc by Research in School of Engineering and Computing

Reference number: RS/25/01

Applications are invited for a Masters by Research (MRes) studentship in the Centre for Waste Management, within the School of Engineering and Computing. The studentship is tenable for 12 months full time [subject to satisfactory progress] and will start in August 2025. All costs associated with the programme are covered by funding. The successful candidate will be paid a stipend of £20,780 pa.

The research project will commence 1 August 2025.

Project description:

The research project is funded by Universal Atmosphere Processing with the aim of building and assessing of a bench-scale Electromagnetic Plasma Separator (EMPS) prototype. The project will evaluate separation efficiency of the gas ionisation. Universal Atmosphere Processing develop groundbreaking technologies which transform atmospheric gas into separate streams. By selectively extracting greenhouse gases and others into valuable resources. The bench-scale EMPS system will be used as a stepping stone towards a pilot scale system. The research will investigate core principles, operating parameters and performance bottlenecks.

The MRes will include the construction of a bench-scale EMPS system. The MRes postgraduate will use expand their skill set in the use of instrumentation, data acquisition and safety protocols.

The required outputs of the research will be the following:

• The production of an operational bench-scale EMPS prototype
• Experimental database
• Energy consumption analysis
• Design recommendations
• Academic and industrial reports (MRes thesis).

The project will help UPS identify efficiency rates, efficacy, energy use, scalability and practical design insights of their proposed system. This is a great opportunity for the right candidate to carry out research in a real-world application, enhancing their skill set and experience.

Further information:

Informal project related enquiries about the post can be made by email to Professor Karl S Williams

How to apply: 

Applications should be completed on our online application system, selecting the following options:

• Type of Study - Research Degree (Postgraduate)
• Course - Master of Science (by Research)
• Campus - Preston Campus
• Mode of Study - Full Time

Please quote the Studentship reference number RS/25/01 on the application form.

Closing Date: 6 July 2025

Proposed Interview Dates: 8 July 2025

Please note: The funding of fees and the stipend is open to UK students. The difference in tuition fees between a UK and overseas student is not covered under this offer.