PhD in Physical Sciences

Department: Electrical and Electronic Engineering/nTitle: Intelligent Distribution System Operation for Low-Carbon Power Systems/nResearch theme: Power and Energy Systems/nThis 3.5-year PhD studentship is open to Home (UK) applicants. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26; subject to annual uplift), and tuition fees will be paid. The expected start date is September/October 2026./nProject summary: This PhD project will develop new AI-driven methods for operating smart distribution networks so that they can reliably, affordably, and fairly support a net-zero energy system. The research will focus on how data-driven and machine-learning-based control can coordinate demand, storage, and local generation in real time, allowing homes, businesses, and communities to actively support the electricity system while benefiting from lower costs and lower carbon emissions. The student will design and test optimisation and learning-based control algorithms that can make decisions under uncertainty, using realistic network models and large-scale simulations. These methods will be evaluated on representative UK distribution networks to understand how different technologies and user behaviours interact and how flexibility can be shared across neighbourhoods in a transparent and equitable way.