Civil Engineering : Fully Funded EngD Engineering Studentship in A real-time PINN-based computational framework for data integration and digital twinning (RS828)

Funding providers: Faculty of Science and Engineering and Fusion Engineering CDT in association with UKAEA 

Subject areas: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science 

Project Start Date: 1 October 2025 

Supervisors: Professor Perumal Nithiarasu (Swansea University), Dr P Sharma (UK Atomic Energy Authority) 

Programme of Study: EngD Engineering  

Mode of Study: Full time  

Place of Study: Swansea University - This EngD project is funded by the Fusion Engineering CDT and hence the student will be based at Swansea University but should expect to engage fully with the 3-month training programme within the Fusion Engineering CDT at the start of the course. CDT training will be delivered across the CDT partner universities at Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool. For further information about the CDT programme, please visit the website or send an email to hello@fusion-engineering-cdt.ac.uk 

Project Description: 
The engineering components of the fusion process have a significant number of unknowns. We anticipate that significant unknown issues such as material properties, thermal stress behaviour and thermal behaviour will be uncovered as we build fusion power plants. The data will come in sparse measurements of material properties, temperature, and strains. Integrating such properties into a modelling platform is challenging as constructing the problem from sparse measurements requires some form of rapid inverse work to determine, for example, the property distribution across the entire component. This will be vital at the development stage of essential components such as the breeder blanket.  Inverse modelling comes with uncertainty and multiple solutions. Our previous fundamental work demonstrates that PINNs can help here but require further research.  

Although the PINNs can be expensive in complex problems compared to traditional computational methods, they provide two distinctive advantages when dealing with the complexities of the fusion component analysis. PINNs can use a unified platform for both inverse and forward analysis, and parameterisation can be carried out in one calculation, i.e., additional parametric variations of material properties can be incorporated as an additional feature. These two advantages are worth investigating in the context of the complexities of a breeder blanket.  

The following objectives are the objectives for this EngD project:  

• Year 1: Training and deep dive into data integration, literature survey and analysis of current state of the art of PINNs for combined forwards and inverse framework.  
• Year 2: Implement a unified inverse and forward framework on fundamental problems and test the method for speed, accuracy and robustness. 
• Year 3: Implement the framework into various blanket design analyses (current student’s work) and incorporate any available data.  
• Year 4: Comprehensive testing of both the combined inverse and forward PINN framework on competitive blanket designs, introducing PINN-based parametric studies and thesis writing.  

This project is at the interface between UKAEA engineering and computing groups. Swansea will act as the bridge between these groups to deliver the best design options by combining high-fidelity simulations with design needs. 

Fusion Engineering CDT | Join Our Cohort 

Open to UK & International students.

Applicants for EngD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline.  Country Specific Entry Requirements - Swansea University

English Language 
IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here. 

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 clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with a scholarship course offer. 

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

An RTSG budget is available for project costs. All costs associated with attending CDT training will be met by the CDT. 

International Students 

• Swansea University is pleased to offer the Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES). This is a competitively awarded Scholarship open to overseas PhD and Professional Doctorate applicants eligible for the international rate of tuition fees who can demonstrate excellence in academic achievement.    
• The SUIPRES Scholarship covers the difference between the International and the Home tuition fee for the duration of the PhD/Professional Doctorate programme. Successful candidates will be charged fees aligned to the UK rate per year. The scholarship will be offset against your tuition fee liability.   
• All International applications will be considered for a SUIPRES Scholarship. You will be informed whether a SUIPRES Scholarship will be offered within your offer letter.  

To apply, please complete the entire application form

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS828 

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

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input either:

• the relevant scholarship advert link,   
• the RS Code, or   
• 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. 

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  Professor Perumal Nithiarasu P.Nithiarasu@Swansea.ac.uk 

*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.