PhD Studentship in High Entropy Superalloys (Fixed Term)

Funder: EPSRC and Rolls-Royce plcDuration: 3.5 years

Supervisors: Prof. Nick Jones & Prof. Howard Stone

Stipend: £20,780 + £5,500 industry top-up per annum

Fees: Home rate; international applicants must cover the difference Start Date: October 2025 Closing Date: 16 May 2025 (position may be filled earlier)

The Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship on refractory high entropy superalloys, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce plc. This project, based in the Structural Materials Group, offers an enhanced stipend and will be supervised by Prof. Nick Jones and Prof. Howard Stone.

Project Overview

Advanced materials for high-temperature applications are critical for improving efficiency and reducing emissions in energy and aerospace industries. While Ni-based superalloys have long been the standard, their limits are being reached. Refractory high entropy superalloys (RHEAs) offer a promising alternative, combining high melting temperatures with intermetallic reinforcement similar to Ni-based superalloys. However, several challenges hinder their implementation, including microstructural instability, the formation of detrimental intermetallic phases, and poor oxidation resistance.

This project builds on pioneering research in the Structural Materials Group to deepen the metallurgical understanding of RHEAs and develop alloys suitable for real-world applications. The research will involve alloy fabrication, processing, characterization, and performance testing using techniques such as scanning and transmission electron microscopy, diffraction methods (lab-based and synchrotron), mechanical property assessments, and thermo-physical evaluations.

Candidate Requirements

Applicants should have or expect to obtain a strong Master's degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Metallurgy, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry). UKRI funding covers fees for eligible 'home rate' applicants, while international students must cover the additional fee costs.

About the Group

The Structural Materials Group is an active, diverse research team working across aerospace, automotive, energy, defence, and biomedical sectors. Research topics include alloy design, phase transformations, microstructure-property relationships, and micromechanical behaviour. 

Join us in advancing the next generation of high-temperature materials for cutting-edge applications.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted via the University Application Portal (www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply ) by 16 May 2025. Early applications are encouraged, as the position may be filled before the deadline.

For informal inquiries, contact structuralmaterials@msm.cam.ac.uk . Further details on postgraduate study and international fees can be found at www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/gradadmissions/prospec .