Mechanics, Structural Vibration: Digital approaches to nonlinear structural dynamic modelling

10 Apr 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Swansea University

Department

Central

Research Field

Engineering

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions

PhD Positions

Application Deadline

27 Apr 2026 - 23:23 (Europe/London)

Country

United Kingdom

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

1 Jul 2026

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Reference Number

RS945

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Identifying and validating models for complex structures featuring nonlinearity remains a cutting-edge challenge in structural dynamics, with applications spanning civil structures, microelectronics, and space hardware. This PhD research aims to develop a comprehensive Mode Selection Framework for Reduced Order Modelling (ROM) in Structural Dynamics—using machine learning to build robust, interpretable models from experimental and operational data. 

The core goal is to balance model accuracy with computational efficiency, while meeting the needs of experimental validation. The framework will harness advanced techniques such as machine learning, optimization algorithms, and sensitivity analysis to automate and enhance the mode selection process. The result will be a scalable methodology that improves the performance of ROMs, making them more applicable to real-time structural health monitoring, vibration analysis, and control design. 

This research offers real-world impact across several industries, including: 

-Aerospace: Faster, more efficient design and real-time condition monitoring for safer aircraft and spacecraft. 

-Civil Engineering: Real-time health monitoring for bridges and skyscrapers, enabling early detection of damage. 

-Renewable Energy: Rapid, optimized design of wind turbine blades and structures for greener energy. 

-Microstructures: Accurate, efficient analysis of devices like MEMS, with minimal computational cost. 

By developing an advanced reduced order modelling framework, this project will empower engineers and designers to achieve more with less—delivering high-impact decisions quicker, with greater confidence, and at much lower cost.  

The position is based at Swansea University and supervised in partnership with The Dyson Institute, funded by an EPSRC IDLA award allowing a generous stipend. It comes with substantial career development opportunities including funds for networking, research costs and training, and a placement at the Dyson Institute of at least 3 months. This placement would provide the candidate with great opportunities for engaging with industrial experts through real-life problems, presenting to industrial audiences in annual Dyson Institute conference week, and gaining practical experience. At Swansea, supervisors Dr Alexander Shaw and Dr Hadi Madinei have an extensive publication record in the area of nonlinear structural dynamics, and are part of Swansea’s prestigious Structural Dynamics research group within the Zienkiewicz Institute for Modelling Data and AI, and have access to excellent laboratory facilities. This is complemented by the experience of Dr Javad Taghipour and Dr Ugur Efem at the Dyson Institute. The ideal candidate will have an outstanding engineering or related background, preferably with some experimental or practical experience.

Where to apply

Website

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/mechanical-enginee…

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering

Education Level

Undergraduate

Skills/Qualifications

Scholarship open to UK fee eligible applicants only. 

PhD: Applicants for PhD 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. 

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 . 

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. 

Specific Requirements

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 . 

Additional Information
Benefits

Please see our website for more information.

Eligibility criteria

Scholarship open to UK fee eligible applicants only. 

PhD: Applicants for PhD 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. 

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 . 

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. 

Selection process

Please see our website for more information.

Website for additional job details

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/mechanical-enginee…

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Swansea University

Country

United Kingdom

City

Swansea

Geofield

Contact

City

Swansea

Website

http://www.swansea.ac.uk

Street

Singleton Park

Postal Code

SA28PP

E-Mail

a.d.shaw@swansea.ac.uk

STATUS: EXPIRED

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