PhD Studentship: Reliability and sustainability of packaging for cryogenic power electronics in Nottingham

This exciting PhD opportunity is jointly hosted by the Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Group and the Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering (M3) at the University of Nottingham. The PEMC is a global leader in power electronics, electrified transport, and energy conversion systems while M3 is internationally recognised for research in advanced materials, manufacturing and materials characterisation. The student will benefit from access to world-class materials laboratories alongside PEMC’s £18M purpose-built power electronics research facility on Jubilee Campus. The project will also connect to the University’s new hydrogen propulsion research infrastructure funded through the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF).

Project Vision

Applicants are invited to contribute to this exciting area of research through a 3-year PhD project aimed at advancing scientific understanding to support predictive approaches for ensuring power electronic systems operate safely and reliably at extreme cryogenic temperatures and to understand their environmental implications.

Project Motivation

Hydrogen propulsion is an important enabler of green propulsion in the transition to net-zero. However, this introduces a new and challenging set of design and reliability constraints for the surrounding electrical and thermal systems. A key concern is that the proximity of power converters to electrical machines makes it likely that the packaging elements will be exposed to steep, cyclical thermal gradients, cold soak conditions or frost-induced and complex material transformations under cryogenic conditions. However, because these constraints remain largely uninvestigated and uncharacterised, they potentially pose a critical bottleneck to its timely adoption. In addition, the relevant packaging approaches require a critical, holistic appraisal, to ensure that design choices do not undermine the sustainability imperatives driving the transition to green-fuel propulsion in the first place.

Research Aims

This PhD programme addresses the above reliability and sustainability challenges in cryogenic power electronics packaging through an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. The successful candidate will have opportunities to play a role in developing new theories of understanding by exploring research cutting across the following areas:

• Investigating material evolution and degradation mechanisms under cryogenic cyclical conditions using multimodal approaches including advanced imaging, nano-mechanical characterisation and machine learning techniques
• Developing physics-informed reliability models using experimental datasets generated
• Exploring sustainability implications around electronic packaging in green propulsion systems as an integral part of the research

The project aligns with major ongoing programmes in power conversion technologies and offers opportunities for collaboration with leading academic and industrial partners.

Supervisory Team

You will work with Dr Pearl Agyakwa, Dr Kangkana Baishya and Dr Paul Evans who work across University of Nottingham’s Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) and Advanced Materials Research Groups. The supervisory team brings complementary expertise in electronic packaging design and integration, reliability characterisation and lifetime modelling. The successful applicant will also benefit from working collaboratively with other researchers within an inclusive and supportive multidisciplinary research setting which values different ways of learning and working.

Candidate profile

We are looking for a passionate, self-motivated graduate interested in multidisciplinary research at the interface of materials science and power electronics. Applicants should hold, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject (e.g., Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electronic/Electrical Engineering, Physics, or any related discipline). They should have enthusiasm for research and strong interest in both hands-on experimental and analytical research.

Funding

After a suitable candidate is identified, funding will be sought through a competitive University of Nottingham studentship process. This typically covers tuition fees and a UKRI-equivalent tax-free stipend for home students as well as international students. The University of Nottingham is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. The Faculty of Engineering provides a vibrant postgraduate research community, access to specialist training via the Researcher Academy, and outstanding research facilities with strong industrial engagement.

Applications should include a full CV and covering letter. Closing date: applications should be received no later than 23rd February, 2026. Feel free to contact Dr Pearl Agyakwa (pearl.agyakwa@nottingham.ac.uk) for an informal chat about the project. We look forward to hearing from you.