Application deadline: Friday, January 29, 2027
Funding: Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
About the Project
Supervisory team: Professor Robert Wood & Professor Julian Wharton.
This project will develop high-speed hybrid bearing technologies capable of operating under lubricated, starved and boundary lubrication conditions, where friction, wear and failure risks are greatest. The project is a collaboration between TriboAI Ltd, a University of Southampton spin-out developing next-generation sensing and AI technologies for tribological systems, and City St George’s University of London Compressor Centre.
Research will combine real-time wear sensing, biodegradable lubricant additives, advanced low-friction coatings, and AI-driven condition monitoring to deliver more efficient, reliable and sustainable machines for applications such as aerospace, energy and advanced manufacturing.
You'll work at the interface of tribology, materials, sensing and data science, helping to create bearing systems with ultra-low friction, enhanced durability and predictive maintenance capability.
Entry requirements
A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in one of the following:
- mechanical engineering
- materials science
- tribology
- physics
- related disciplines
How to apply
You need to:
- choose programme type (Research), 2027/28, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- select Full time or Part time
- search for programme PhD Engineering & the Environment (7175)
- add name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application
Applications should include:
- your CV (resumé)
- 2 academic references
- degree transcripts and certificates to date
- English language qualification (if applicable)
Contact information
For application queries, please contact the Doctoral College at: [contact details available in the full listing]
For an initial conversation, please contact the project leader (Professor Robert Wood) at: [contact details available in the full listing]
The School of Engineering is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
Fees and funding
We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers automatically cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students.
Competition-based Presidential Bursaries from the University cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants.
Competition-based studentships offered by our schools typically cover UK-level tuition fees and a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants.
Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.
For more information, please visit our postgraduate research funding pages.
