Work With Me
Am always happy to discuss research and exchange ideas. Find my contact details here.
PhD positions
If you like physics, maths, and programming, and want to work on exciting engineering and physics challenges, then please get in touch.
When there are funded positions they will be made availabe on sheffield.ac.uk/mac/phd/projects, which includes projects from the whole school of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil engineering. My projects are also advertised on jobs.ac.uk and FindAPhd. Some example PhD projects from the past are shown below.
Am happy to discuss other potential PhD projects within the themes:
Wave Scattering from Particulates
Under close inspection, many natural and synthetic materials are composed of small randomly distributed particles. This is why techniques to measure and predict these particle properties are important in many areas of science and engineering. Waves, either mechanical (like sound) or electromagnetic, are an excellent choice to probe particles because they can be non-invasive and energy efficient.
This project focuses on using, and developing, simulations of waves (like sound, radio, light, and vibrations) in particulate materials. The main goal is gain insight into the physics and validate theoretical models, though these simulations are very flexible, see Wave Software and Waves in Complex Materials for more details.
Main skills:
- Computer programming
- Signal processing
- Classical mechanics
- Mathematical modelling
Elastic wave propagation
We have built a world primarily out of steel, concrete, and other stiff solids. How well these structures endure depends on the tension and strains they are under, which are closely related to the material’s elastic behaviour. This is why elastic waves, such as vibrations, are an ideal choice to test the stress and strength of materials.
Projects in this theme will focus modelling and predicting a range of elastic waves (shear, surface, and compressional) in solids, such as steel under stress. For more details see Surface Waves and Elastic materials under stress.
Main skills:
- Solid mechanics
- Mathematical modelling
- Wave motion