Organisation/Company Swansea University Department Central Research Field Engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 18 May 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number RS961 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Open to: UK and international applicants
Funding Providers:
Swansea University is pleased to offerfully-fundedSwansea University Research Excellence Scholarships (SURES) for full-time doctoral students to its seventh cohort,commencingin October 2026.
Each SURES scholarship includes tuition fees and a stipend – reviewed annually at the UKRI standard rate and a £1,000 annual training allowance to support immersive training experiences, conference attendance, engagement with industry and international collaborative opportunities.
Each scholarship is offered for a maximum period of three years; SURES students are expected tosubmittheir theses within this timescale.
Informal scholarship enquiries from applicants to prospective supervisors – prior to the application deadline – are warmly encouraged; please direct these to the relevant member/s of faculty staff.
Subject Area:Mechanical Engineering
Project Start Date: October 2026
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.
Supervisors: Primary/First Supervisor: Dr Saikat Datta; Co-Supervisors: Dr Eifion Jewell andProf. DavideDeganello
Aligned programme of study: Mechanical Engineering, PhD/MPhil
Mode of study:Full-time
Place of study:Swansea University (Singleton Campus and Bay Campus)
Overview
Nanofiltration membranes are thin filters with extremely small pores that allow water to pass through while removing unwanted salts, contaminants, and organic molecules. They are widely used in modern water treatment, but their performance is often reduced by fouling: the build-up of material on the membrane surface and inside its pores. Fouling lowers water flow, increases energy demand, and shortens membrane life. Existing cleaning methods, such as chemical washing and backwashing, are only partly effective and may also damage delicate membrane materials.
This project will investigate a new, non-destructive cleaning strategy based on applying very high-frequency vibrations (MHz–GHz) to nanofiltration membranes. Using large-scale molecular dynamics simulations coupled with finite-volume continuum-based modelling, this PhD project will elucidate the interplay between vibration dynamics, hydrodynamics, and membrane‑foulant surface forces to achieve optimal cleaning efficiency.
The multiscale modelling framework delivered by this project will ultimately support the design of next‑generation chemical‑free cleaning technologies for water treatment and provide a platform for future multiscale modelling and experimental validation.
Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website .
ATAS clearanceIS NOT required tobe held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (asappropriate)are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with a scholarship course offer.
Candidates must have achieved, or be expecting to achieve, a 1st class UK undergraduate degree (or equivalent international qualification), or a 2:1 UK undergraduate degree and a Distinction in a UK master’s degree (or international equivalent).
* Where applicants have multiple master’s degrees, a distinction must be held in the degree that is most relevant to the intended PhD study.
* If you are currently studying for a master’s level qualification with an expected award date that is later than 01/10/2026, you should hold a minimum of an upper-second-class(2:1) honours degree.
* You should be able to demonstrate a pass with a minimum grade average of at least 70% for your part‑one master’s degree modules (the taught aspect of your master’s course rather than a research‑focused dissertation) and submit your dissertation by no later than 30/09/2026.
NB: If you hold a non‑UK degree, please see the Swansea University degree comparisons to find out if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants must be able to begin their course of study in October 2026.
As a cohort‑based programme, deferral to an alternative enrolment window within the academic year or to another academic year is not permissible.
English Language requirements: If applicable – IELTS 6.5 overall (with a score of at least 6.5 in each individualcomponent) or equivalent that is recognised by Swansea University.
Details on the Swansea University English Language entry policy can be found here.
Please note that both the degree and language‑proficiency entry requirements for SURES are higher than the baseline standard for entry that is stipulated for most of the PhD programmes at Swansea University.
UK and International applicants
Please note that International applicants will be required to hold a SUIPRES scholarship, with further guidance to follow if shortlisted.
Specific Requirements
English Language requirements: If applicable – IELTS 6.5 overall (with a score of at least 6.5 in each individualcomponent) or equivalent that is recognised by Swansea University.
Details on the Swansea University English Language entry policy can be found here.
Please note that both the degree and language‑proficiency entry requirements for SURES are higher than the baseline standard for entry that is stipulated for most of the PhD programmes at Swansea University.
Additional Information
Eligibility criteria
Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website .
ATAS clearanceIS NOT required tobe held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (asappropriate)are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with a scholarship course offer.
Candidates must have achieved, or be expecting to achieve, a 1st class UK undergraduate degree (or equivalent international qualification), or a 2:1 UK undergraduate degree and a Distinction in a UK master’s degree (or international equivalent).
* Where applicants have multiple master’s degrees, a distinction must be held in the degree that is most relevant to the intended PhD study.
* If you are currently studying for a master’s level qualification with an expected award date that is later than 01/10/2026, you should hold a minimum of an upper-second-class(2:1) honours degree.
* You should be able to demonstrate a pass with a minimum grade average of at least 70% for your part‑one master’s degree modules (the taught aspect of your master’s course rather than a research‑focused dissertation) and submit your dissertation by no later than 30/09/2026.
NB: If you hold a non‑UK degree, please see the Swansea University degree comparisons to find out if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants must be able to begin their course of study in October 2026.
As a cohort‑based programme, deferral to an alternative enrolment window within the academic year or to another academic year is not permissible.
English Language requirements: If applicable – IELTS 6.5 overall (with a score of at least 6.5 in each individualcomponent) or equivalent that is recognised by Swansea University.
Details on the Swansea University English Language entry policy can be found here.
Please note that both the degree and language‑proficiency entry requirements for SURES are higher than the baseline standard for entry that is stipulated for most of the PhD programmes at Swansea University.
UK and International applicants
Please note that International applicants will be required to hold a SUIPRES scholarship, with further guidance to follow if shortlisted.
Selection process
Please see our website for more information.
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