PhD Studentship on Development of Next-Generation Combined Axial-Radial Flux Electric Machines for Extreme Power Density Applications
University of Nottingham
Project Brief This is an exciting opportunity to undertake cutting-edge research in partnership with Ricardo UK. The PhD project will focus on developing next-generation combined axial–radial flux electric machines for future defence and aerospace propulsion systems. The research will explore innovative machine topologies and advanced multi-physics design methodologies to enable electric machines with unprecedented power density and efficiency. Funding and Eligibility The studentship covers home tuition fees tog...
Project Brief This is an exciting opportunity to undertake cutting-edge research in partnership with Ricardo UK. The PhD project will focus on developing next-generation combined axial–radial flux electric machines for future defence and aerospace propulsion systems. The research will explore innovative machine topologies and advanced multi-physics design methodologies to enable electric machines with unprecedented power density and efficiency. Funding and Eligibility The studentship covers home tuition fees tog...
Opportunity details
Project Brief This is an exciting opportunity to undertake cutting-edge research in partnership with Ricardo UK. The PhD project will focus on developing next-generation combined axial–radial flux electric machines for future defence and aerospace propulsion systems. The research will explore innovative machine topologies and advanced multi-physics design methodologies to enable electric machines with unprecedented power density and efficiency. Funding and Eligibility The studentship covers home tuition fees together with an annual tax-free stipend at the current UKRI rate. The scholarship is primarily intended for home applicants. Outstanding international candidates may also be considered in exceptional circumstances. Lead supervisor from University of Nottingham: Chris Gerada. Lead supervisor from Ricardo: Jay Al-Tayie. Vision Future defence and aerospace propulsion systems require electric machines with substantially higher power density than current technologies while maintaining exceptional efficiency, reliability and compact packaging. This PhD will establish a requirement-driven design methodology for next-generation extreme-power-density electric machines by investigating combined axial–radial flux machine architectures and enabling technologies for three-dimensional electromagnetic design. Motivation As electrification expands beyond automotive applications, conventional radial and axial flux machines are approaching their performance limits. Combined axial–radial flux machines provide a promising route towards more effective utilisation of machine volume through three-dimensional magnetic circuits. However, key challenges remain in topology selection, magnetic material utilisation, winding technologies and multi-physics optimisation. Addressing these chall...
Eligibility
Funding and Eligibility The studentship covers home tuition fees together with an annual tax-free stipend at the current UKRI rate. The scholarship is primarily intended for home applicants. Outstanding international candidates may also be considered in exceptional circumstances. Who we are looking for: We are seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated candidate with a First Class or high Upper Second-Class degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
Requirements
Funding and Eligibility The studentship covers home tuition fees together with an annual tax-free stipend at the current UKRI rate. The scholarship is primarily intended for home applicants. Outstanding international candidates may also be considered in exceptional circumstances. Who we are looking for: We are seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated candidate with a First Class or high Upper Second-Class degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
Funding and benefits
Funding eligibility: UK Students. The studentship covers home tuition fees together with an annual tax-free stipend at the current UKRI rate. The scholarship is primarily intended for home applicants. Outstanding international candidates may also be considered in exceptional circumstances. Lead supervisor from University of Nottingham: Chris Gerada. Lead supervisor from Ricardo: Jay Al-Tayie. Vision Future defence and aerospace propulsion systems require electric machines with substantially higher power density than current technologies while maintaining exceptional efficiency, reliability and compact packaging. This PhD will establish a requirement-driven design methodology for next-generation extreme-power-density electric machines by investigating combined axial–radial flux machine architectures and enabling technologies for three-dimensional electromagnetic design. Motivation As electrification expands beyond automotive applications, conventional radial and axial flux machines are approaching their performance limits. Combined axial–radial flux machines provide a promising route towards more effective utilisation of machine volume through three-dimensional magnetic circuits. However, key challenges remain in topology selection, magnetic material utilisation, winding technologies and multi-physics optimisation. Addressing these challenges will support the development of future high-performance electrification technologies with broad industrial impact. Aim The project will investigate application requirements for future defence and aerospace propulsion systems before developing and optimising combined axial–radial flux machine concepts. The research will explore three-dimensional magnetic circuits, advanced magnetic materials, innovative winding configurations and...
How to apply
Motivation As electrification expands beyond automotive applications, conventional radial and axial flux machines are approaching their performance limits. Aim The project will investigate application requirements for future defence and aerospace propulsion systems before developing and optimising combined axial–radial flux machine concepts. The research will explore three-dimensional magnetic circuits, advanced magnetic materials, innovative winding configurations and multi-physics optimisation, ultimately delivering prototype-oriented design methodologies for future industrial applications. For further information, please contact Dr Linnan Sun linnan.sun@nottingham.ac.uk Proposed start date: Earliest 1st October 2026
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Benefits
Funding eligibility: UK Students. The studentship covers home tuition fees together with an annual tax-free stipend at the current UKRI rate. The scholarship is primarily intended for home applicants. Outstanding international candidates may also be considered in exceptional circumstances. Lead supervisor from University of Nottingham: Chris Gerada. Lead supervisor from Ricardo: Jay Al-Tayie. Vision Future defence and aerospace propulsion systems require electric machines with substantially higher power density than current technologies while maintaining exceptional efficiency, reliability and compact packaging. This PhD will establish a requirement-driven design methodology for next-generation extreme-power-density electric machines by investigating combined axial–radial flux machine architectures and enabling technologies for three-dimensional electromagnetic design. Motivation As electrification expands beyond automotive applications, conventional radial and axial flux machines are approaching their performance limits. Combined axial–radial flux machines provide a promising route towards more effective utilisation of machine volume through three-dimensional magnetic circuits. However, key challenges remain in topology selection, magnetic material utilisation, winding technologies and multi-physics optimisation. Addressing these challenges will support the development of future high-performance electrification technologies with broad industrial impact. Aim The project will investigate application requirements for future defence and aerospace propulsion systems before developing and optimising combined axial–radial flux machine concepts. The research will explore three-dimensional magnetic circuits, advanced magnetic materials, innovative winding configurations and multi-physics optimisation, ultimately delivering prototype-oriented design methodologies for future industrial applications. Who we are looking for: We are seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated candidate with a First Class or high Upper Second-Class degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline. Desirable experience includes: Electrical machines or electric drives; Electromagnetic finite element analysis; MATLAB or Python programming; An interest in electrified propulsion and industrially relevant research.
Eligibility summary
Funding and Eligibility The studentship covers home tuition fees together with an annual tax-free stipend at the current UKRI rate. The scholarship is primarily intended for home applicants. Outstanding international candidates may also be considered in exceptional circumstances. Who we are looking for: We are seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated candidate with a First Class or high Upper Second-Class degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
Requirements
Funding and Eligibility The studentship covers home tuition fees together with an annual tax-free stipend at the current UKRI rate. The scholarship is primarily intended for home applicants. Outstanding international candidates may also be considered in exceptional circumstances. Who we are looking for: We are seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated candidate with a First Class or high Upper Second-Class degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
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