Future Innovation in Non-Destructive Evaluation

Program Overview

Overview

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Innovation in Non-Destructive Evaluation (FIND CDT) has been created to provide EngD and PhD programmes in the vital field of non-destructive evaluation: an underpinning technology that encompasses a wide range of sensing, imaging and analysis techniques.

FIND CDT connects universities with industry. The result is research that makes a difference – EDF, Airbus and E.ON are just a few of the companies our students have worked with to create real impact.

The University of Bristol leads, alongside centre partners Imperial College London and the Universities of Manchester, Nottingham, Strathclyde and Warwick. The CDT has been co-created by a consortium of 49 companies, including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, EDF, BAE Systems and Shell.

The CDT has close links to the UK’s internationally leading Research Centre for Non Destructive Evaluation with a vibrant network of more than 250 researchers across a range of disciplines based in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, mathematics and imaging sciences departments in the participating universities.

With these partners, we have developed bespoke cohort-based doctoral training to equip our CDT graduates with the breadth and depth of knowledge that UK industry requires across this multidisciplinary subject. EngD and PhD students will be trained by leading academic and industrial experts through taught modules on the core technical disciplines and an industrially linked doctoral research project.

This responds to rapidly changing needs of UK industry and a society that demands low costs with high levels of safety and reliability. This need is driven by many factors such as new materials, advanced manufacturing technologies, digitalisation, the Internet of Things, robotic systems, the civil nuclear renaissance and the pressing requirement to extend the life of our ageing national infrastructure.

The combination of breadth and depth of training equips our graduates with the broad interdisciplinary technical skills to deliver innovative solutions across key industrial sectors and the transferable skills needed to become future innovators and industry leaders.

The Bristol group is recognised as a world leader within NDE, having produced several important research outcomes that are now exploited by industry, both in the UK and around the world.

Key Information

• Programme duration: Up to four years full-time; up to eight years part-time.
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline: 1 August 2025. Early application is advised.
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: PhD, EngD

Programme Structure

During the first three years of the programme, students will undertake a range of cohort-based taught units, allowing time to build knowledge and ignite curiosity. This will include advanced technical courses and training on innovation and entrepreneurship. Alongside this, there will be opportunities to get involved in science communication, public engagement and to present work at national and international conferences.

We have a range of projects and industrial sponsors for applicants to choose from and this changes over the year, so please contact us for details. Projects fall into three broad themes:

• The Future NDE technologies theme will focus on the physics and engineering of the sensing transducers, imaging and processing methods.
• Future infrastructure NDE will be driven by the need to reduce manual inspection through increased use of robotic manipulators and permanently installed systems.
• Future manufacturing inspection places speed and automation at its core which must be seamlessly integrated, including into fast-moving production lines.

World-Leading Research

• The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have or expect to obtain a first class, good 2:1 degree or Master's in engineering or physical science. In our experience the best candidates can use their knowledge to solve technical problems, are interested in useful research, are well-organised and are good communicators.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time £4,850 per year
• Home: part-time (eight years) £2,425 per year
• Overseas: full-time £26,700 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

Alumni Discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding and Scholarships

Fully-funded studentships are advertised on our website when they become available.

Career Prospects

Graduates are found in a variety of careers all over the globe, including world-leading research. Many work as consultants or as part of large-scale engineering industries with excellent employability as a result of studying in the centre.

Meet Our Supervisors

• Dr Sergio Cantero Chinchilla
• Professor Anthony Croxford
• Professor Bruce Drinkwater
• Dr Robert Hughes
• Dr Alexander Velichko
• Professor Paul Wilcox
• Dr Jie Zhang

Research Groups

The Ultrasonics and Non-destructive Testing group undertakes research into the fundamentals and applications of ultrasonics. We are particularly active in the following areas: array imaging; materials characterisation (for example nonlinear ultrasonics); NDT of composites; structural health monitoring; ultrasonic particle manipulation (for example acoustic radiation force devices). Our philosophy is to undertake a balance of fundamental engineering science ultrasonics research alongside more applied research. We see this mix of fundamental and applied as incredibly valuable and our aim is to see selected topics through from conception to industrial uptake. This means that most of our projects are collaborative, sometimes with industry and sometimes with other university groups.