Heriot-Watt University Dubai

PhD in Engineering and Physical Sciences

Academic City, United Arab Emirates

DURATION

3 Years

LANGUAGES

English

PACE

Full time

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Request application deadline *

EARLIEST START DATE

Request earliest startdate

TUITION FEES

AED 81,900 / per year **

STUDY FORMAT

On-Campus

* rolling admission

** all tuition fees inclusive of VAT

Key Summary

About: The PhD in Engineering and Physical Sciences focuses on advanced research in engineering and related disciplines. This program encourages students to explore innovative solutions to complex challenges in areas such as materials science, electronics, and energy systems. You'll engage with leading researchers and gain a strong foundation in both theoretical concepts and practical applications across a variety of topics.

Career Outcomes: Graduates can pursue careers in academia, industry research and development, or governmental organizations. Common roles include research scientist, development engineer, or project manager in sectors like aerospace, energy, and technology firms.

Introduction

Overview

The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences places a very high value on enabling people to obtain a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degree by research and is pleased to be able to extend this facility to students on the Dubai Campus.

Initially, those with an interest in undertaking a project in the broad area of energy are encouraged to apply. This may include renewable energy, energy utilization, and energy conservation as well as improved materials for energy production and conversion (for example, the development of nanocomposite carbide coatings).

Admissions

Curriculum

Research

PhD study on the Dubai Campus will enable students to work with staff and students in Dubai in collaboration with a research group in Edinburgh performing high value and fundamental research in engineering. Students will be working under the supervision of an expert academic supervisor based at the Dubai Campus and supported by a second supervisor in Edinburgh. In addition to time spent doing research project work, students will engage with scientific literature and participate in research group discussions and meetings using electronic communications. On completion of the research project, students spend some six months 'writing up' to produce a final PhD. Once the thesis has been submitted, internal and external academics will examine the student’s work and knowledge of the PhD subject.

Research topics for PhD supervision

Surface coatings for use in Energy, Biomedical and Transportation engineering. Typical examples include surface engineered components for gas turbines, solar panels, human implants, and rotating machines.
Micromechanics of engineering systems.
Contact Mechanics and high-speed impacts.
Tribology of interacting surfaces including gears, bearings, and oil drilling applications.
Investigation of thermal conductivities and a heat transfer rate of direct absorption solar collector with the help of nanofluids technology.
Aerodynamic optimization for drag reduction of heavy vehicles by means of passive devices such as boat-tails.
Building-integrated renewable energy options and optimization of the overall systems of the net-zero building concept.
Mathematical modelling and control of elastic and fluid-structure dynamical systems.
Renewable Energy Technologies.
Sensorless control of AC drives; Investigations of signal injection nonlinearities on AC machines performance.
Distributed Generation and its impact on the power grid/Smart grid (this requires a strong background in power electronics and control).
Energy Efficiency and demand side managements.
Applications of Hybrid battery/supercapacitor energy storage system.
Hybrid concentrating Photovoltaic (PV) /Thermal Energy system for UAE buildings.