The University of Exeter invites outstanding applicants to apply for fully funded PhD studentships through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) for the 2026/27 academic year. These studentships offer exceptional doctoral training, access to world-class facilities, and the opportunity to contribute to innovative research across Engineering and the Physical Sciences. Supervisory Structure and Research Environment Each doctoral candidate will be supervised by at least two academic staff members from the University of Exeter. The primary study location will depend on the lead supervisor and may be based in Devon or Cornwall. Supervisory teams and project details are listed within individual project descriptions. Exeter’s research excellence is reinforced by over £350 million invested in Science and Engineering since 2008. The university ranks among the fastest growing research-intensive institutions in the UK. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), Exeter placed 23rd out of 134 universities, with 99 percent of research assessed as internationally recognised, 89 percent internationally excellent, and 47 percent world-leading. Available Doctoral Projects Applicants may apply for up to three projects, clearly indicating their preferred project in the personal statement. Current opportunities include projects in cutting-edge fields such as: Distributed machine learning for privacy-preserving non-intrusive load monitoring Sustainable fabrication methods for 2D material metasurfaces Electrochemical lithium extraction (ELITE) Nanoengineered wireless graphene sensors for real-time neurochemical monitoring Floating photovoltaic-powered green hydrogen for heat decarbonisation in the South West of the UK Students will join a vibrant postgraduate research community with access to industry connections, advanced facilities, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Eligibility Criteria To qualify for a fully funded studentship, applicants must meet academic requirements and satisfy residence criteria. Due to the complexity of UK residency rules, applicants are advised to consult: UK government guidance UKCISA guidelines University of Exeter funding eligibility pages Academic eligibility includes: A First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant science or engineering discipline. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree may be considered if they also hold a Master’s degree or have substantial relevant experience. Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the University’s English language proficiency requirements. Some projects may include additional entry requirements outlined in their respective project descriptions. Studentship Funding Package Successful applicants who meet eligibility criteria will receive: A fully funded UK tuition fee waiver A tax-free maintenance stipend of £20,780 per annum for up to 3.5 years (2026/27 rate) A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £5,000 across 3.5 years Part-time study options are available and funded on a pro-rata basis. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment The University of Exeter is committed to fostering an inclusive research environment. With students and staff representing 180 countries, diversity is considered a core strength. The institution strongly encourages applications from groups underrepresented in postgraduate research. Reasonable adjustments can be arranged during the application and interview process, as well as throughout the course of study. Successful awardees requiring accommodations are encouraged to contact the university’s wellbeing services promptly after receiving an offer. Application Requirements Applicants must submit the following documents via the appropriate departmental application link found in each project listing: Personal statement describing academic interests, prior research experience, and motivation for the chosen project Curriculum vitae Academic transcripts (interim transcripts accepted for current students) Two academic references submitted directly by referees Proof of English language proficiency (if required) References must be emailed by referees directly from an institutional email address to pgrapplicants@exeter.ac.uk by 30 January 2026. All application materials must be in English. Certified translations are required for international academic documents. Selection Process and Key Dates Application deadline: 12 January 2026 (midday) Shortlisted applicants may be invited to a technical interview Candidates progressing further will attend a general interview during the week commencing 16 February 2026 Contact Information For general admissions queries, applicants may contact: pgrapplicants@exeter.ac.uk For project-specific questions, prospective applicants should reach out directly to potential supervisors via the university’s academic directory. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the funding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.