PhD Opportunities

Building on our outstanding REF results in 2021 which recognised nearly 70% of our research as “internationally excellent” and “world leading”, University of Staffordshire is offering PhD opportunities to build on its areas of research excellence.

A wide range of PhD topics are currently available. (Company or charity sponsored scholarships may vary).

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

Available projects

PhDs are available across our research themes.

Full details of all opportunities currently available and how to apply are listed on each individual project page, which you can find by browsing through the themes listed on this page. Applications for funded projects will only be considered if they clearly relate to a specific call/project.

If you are unable to find a clear fit with any of the project outlines and you feel that you have a fully developed proposal in a complementary area, you are encouraged to submit your own research proposal, clearly identifying synergy to one of the original calls/wider research themes.

Applications for individual led projects are also welcomed. For more information on Self Developed projects please make an enquiry.

Culture, Heritage and Society

Co-Curation, Co-Creation and Collaboration for Heritage Sites and Museums

Self-funded

The PhD is designed to address a city’s heritage contexts by developing multi-level and participatory curatorial tools for Community Collaboration in the museum and heritage sites sector.

Sustainable Co-Creative Practices in Arts/Culture-led Placemaking Initiatives

Self-funded

A practice-led project which will focus on developing an effective sustainability framework for large-scale partnership projects that engage in participatory culture-led regeneration of places.

Topics in Continental Philosophy

Self-funded

A research project using the methods of contemporary Continental Philosophy to explore the contemporary issues in culture, politics, art and science.

Engineering, Technology and Environment

Adversarial Preventative Strategies for Infection-Propagation Control in hospitals

Self-funded

We will leverage Machine Learning and Deep Learning capabilities to achieve robust detective and preventative strategies in order to understand infections spread and outbreaks in healthcare environments and minimise their impact

Computational modelling for Accurate Differential Diagnosis of Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorders

Self-funded

This project aims to improve the diagnosis of bipolar disorder and borderline disorder by utilizing machine learning techniques and various cognitive and behavioural criteria, such as family history and smartphone mood ratings, to improve the accuracy of the classification algorithm.

Development of a Serious Game for Environmental Awareness and Sustainable Behaviour in Addressing Climate Change and Microplastic Pollution

Self-funded

Developing a marine ecology simulation as a serious game, this PhD project examines educational impact, behaviour change motivation, and the value for marine biologists and policymakers in addressing climate change and microplastic pollution.

Protein Sequence Analysis using Generative Language Models

Self-funded

This research will develop new embedding techniques for language models such as Bert to apply them in protein sequence analysis and classification of viral proteins.

Towards net zero carbon buildings through urban wind turbines integration

Self-funded

This project aims to reach a methodology for successful integration of wind turbines in building to be self-sufficient in terms of energy.

Health, Wellbeing and Education

Harnessing shared identity to reach under-represented participants: Identity processes in scientific engagement

Self-funded

This project will use a social identity perspective to explore current practices in participant recruitment. It’s aim is to understand how to effectively engage under-represented groups in science

How can intimacy be supported within couples in which one person is living with dementia?

Self-funded

A mixed methods exploratory-sequential study, using a participatory approach, to explore how intimacy can be supported within couples in which one person is living with dementia.

Single cell protein production by novel yeast hybrids

Self-funded

By 2050, the demand for meat and dairy products will surge due to a global population of 9.4 billion, putting pressure on the environment. Single cell proteins (SCPs) offer a solution, and this project aims to generate novel yeast hybrids to produce SCP as a sustainable alternative to traditional protein sources.

The menstrual cycle-athletic performance relationship among Rugby Union players

Self-funded

The PhD will build on existing research carried out in women’s rugby to carry out an intervention, using individualised data on menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use, to improve performance, training and health for rugby players.

CARA Fellowship

Council for at Risk Academics

University of Staffordshire are delighted to be part of the CARA Network

The Network aims to facilitate cooperation and collaboration between UK higher education and research institutions in support of persecuted and at-risk academics, and in the defence and promotion of academic and university freedoms worldwide. 135 UK universities and research institutes are currently working with them to support these aims.

As part of our support for this network we are currently offering a fully funded, dedicated PhD Scholarship including a fee waiver, stipend and subsidised accommodation to current CARA Fellows.

CARA Fellows can apply for any of the above PhD opportunities, however they must first contact CARA prior to any application being made.

Applications are open to all Cara Fellows who can start a PhD in May/September 2023.

Applicants will have to meet all of the Cara Fellowship Programme eligibility criteria to be considered for the award. 

CARA application form

CARA advice

If you have any questions about CARA, get in touch:

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Postgraduate research and Doctoral courses

Discover how our dedicated team supports doctoral researchers. We can help you at every stage, from your application through to your PhD studies.
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Our facilities

Explore the specialist facilities you could soon be using as a researcher. And find out more about the expertise of our technicians.

Postgraduate research support

Graduate School

We can help you at every stage, from your application through to your PhD studies.

How to apply

Follow our step-by-step guide to applying for a research degree with us.

Fees and funding

Find out more about the support available to help fund your studies.

Make an enquiry

Speak to the Graduate School about postgraduate research.

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

Top 5 for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2025

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021