The University of Liverpool is offering more than 10 fully funded 4-year PhD studentships through its EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Digital and Automated Materials Chemistry (DAMC), with entry starting in October 2026. This is an exciting opportunity for ambitious international researchers who want to work at the intersection of materials chemistry, artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, and digital innovation.
Author: Dr Niaz Chowdhury (LinkedIn)
Designation: Lecturer (Computer Science)
Affiliation: Ulster University (Birmingham), UK
As the global push towards Net Zero accelerates, the need for advanced, high-performance materials across multiple sectors is becoming increasingly urgent. At the same time, breakthroughs in AI, robotics, and emerging quantum computing are creating new possibilities for how materials are designed, discovered, and processed. These studentships aim to equip the next generation of researchers with the skills to respond to these challenges and contribute to transformative scientific and societal progress.
A Unique Cross-Disciplinary Doctoral Training Experience
The Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital and Automated Materials Chemistry is designed for students from a broad range of backgrounds across the physical sciences and computer sciences. Successful candidates will develop strong expertise in robotic systems, digital methods, chemistry, and physical sciences, and then apply this knowledge to specialist research projects focused on materials innovation.
What makes this CDT particularly distinctive is its emphasis on cross-disciplinary collaboration. Students will not only gain deep research expertise in their chosen field but also learn to work effectively across disciplines, communicate with researchers from different backgrounds, and develop the leadership skills needed in modern research and development environments.
The programme builds on the University of Liverpool’s decade-long experience in fostering collaboration between the physical sciences, engineering, and computer sciences. Training takes place in the Materials Innovation Factory, the largest industry-academia co-location in the UK physical science. This world-class environment offers students access to cutting-edge research facilities and close interaction with academic and industrial partners.
Importantly, the CDT’s training model has been co-developed with 35 industrial partners, ensuring that graduates emerge as highly employable, flexible, and enterprising researchers who are capable of working across traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Available PhD Research Projects
The University of Liverpool is seeking motivated and enthusiastic applicants for 48-month PhD studentships across more than 10 cross-disciplinary research projects. These projects include:
- Automated Virtual and Physical Screening of Molecules for Application in Optoelectronics Devices
- Autonomous, On-Demand Manufacture of Polymer Nanomaterials in Continuous-Flow
- A Fast Validation of the Symmetry Principle for Molecular Synthesisability
- Crystal Structure Generation by Constrained Combinatorial Sampling
- Digital Exploration of Sulfur-Polymer Development
- Discovering New Materials in the Laboratory with Automated Reasoning and Explainable AI
- Introducing Temperature and Disorder into Digital Materials Discovery Workflows
- Molecular Modelling and Data-Driven Discovery of Sustainable Home-Care Products
- Real-Time Mixing Control in Flow Chemistry
- Putting a (Better) Brain in the Mobile Robotic Chemist
- Discovering CO2-Capture Materials Using Robots and ‘Hive Mind’ Hybrid Intelligence
The CDT has also indicated that more opportunities will be announced later, so prospective applicants are encouraged to check the official website regularly for updates.
Who Can Apply?
These studentships are open to applicants who have obtained, or are expected to obtain, a Master’s degree or equivalent in one of the following fields:
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Materials Science
- Physics
- Related disciplines
Exceptional applicants with a First Class undergraduate degree or equivalent in a relevant field may also be considered.
For international applicants, the minimum English language requirement is IELTS 6.5 overall, with no band below 5.5, or an accepted equivalent qualification.
Funding and Financial Support
The EPSRC DAMC CDT studentship provides generous support for 4 years. For eligible candidates, the funding includes:
- Full home tuition fees
- A maintenance grant at the UKRI minimum rate
- A Research Training Support Grant for costs such as consumables, conference attendance, and related research expenses
For the 2025–26 academic year, the funding level was:
- £5,006 per year for tuition fees
- £20,780 per year for the maintenance grant
The funding rates for the 2026–27 academic year are yet to be confirmed.
One particularly important feature of this opportunity is that it is open to both home and international students. While standard EPSRC funding does not fully cover international tuition fees, the University has confirmed that a limited number of scholarships will be available to cover the difference for outstanding international applicants. This makes the programme especially attractive to talented students from around the world who are seeking a fully funded PhD opportunity in the UK.
In addition, applicants with disabilities may be eligible for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) alongside the studentship. This support can help cover the costs of additional assistance needed during doctoral study.
Application Process
Applicants are strongly advised to read the CDT’s “How to Apply” guide carefully before submitting an application. The University encourages candidates to apply as early as possible, and in all cases no later than the deadline stated on the website for each studentship.
It is also worth noting that these studentship positions will remain open until suitable candidates are found, which means early application could be advantageous.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
This CDT offers far more than a traditional PhD. It is an opportunity to become part of a forward-looking research community focused on solving some of the most pressing scientific and societal challenges of our time. By combining materials chemistry, digital intelligence, automation, and AI-driven discovery, the programme is preparing researchers for the future of innovation.
For students who want to contribute to advances in sustainable materials, automated discovery, robotic chemistry, and high-impact interdisciplinary science, this is a remarkable opportunity to undertake doctoral research in a globally relevant and rapidly evolving field.
Final Thoughts
The 10+ fully funded 4-year PhD studentships at the University of Liverpool’s Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital and Automated Materials Chemistry represent an exceptional chance for both home and international students to join a cutting-edge doctoral training environment.
With research projects spanning AI, robotics, chemistry, materials science, and sustainability, these studentships are ideal for candidates who want to be at the forefront of innovation while gaining the cross-disciplinary skills needed for future academic and industrial leadership.
Prospective applicants should review the project details carefully, check the official website for deadlines and updates, and apply early.
