Postgraduate research in Engineering, Technology and Environment

If you have a passion for innovation, then University of Staffordshire is a great place to pursue your research in Engineering, Technology and Environment. Take advantage of our state-of-the-art facilities, and work alongside leading researchers in the fields of sustainable engineering, renewable energies, forensic science, biological and biomedical sciences, air quality, geography, computing, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and robotics.

Table showing MPhil/PhD subjects in Engineering, Technology and Environment, with locations and modes of study
 Subject Location Mode of study
Electrical/Electronic Engineering On campus, distance learning Full time, part time
Mathematics On campus Full time, part time
Mechanical Engineering On campus, distance learning Full time, part time
Digital Design and Technologies On campus Full time, part time
Computer Science On campus, distance learning Full time, part time
Ecology On campus Full time
Geography On campus Full time, part time
Film, Media and Music On campus Full time, part time
Film, Theatre and Music On campus Full time, part time
Film, Theatre and Music Distance learning Part time

Ready-to-go research projects

In addition to offering supervision for a project that you propose, we also have a list of ready to go PhD projects designed by our experts, which means that the research proposal is already written.

View all projects

Speak to the Graduate School about postgraduate research.

Our researchers

World renowned in their fields, our researchers are here to support you through every step of your research career.

Professor Abdel-Hamid Soliman

Professor

Abdel-Hamid's expertise includes automation, including Smart Cities, Building automation, Energy management, Security, Safety and health applications.

Abdel-Hamid's profile

Professor Mohamed Sedky

Professor Of Cyber-Physical Systems

Mohamed is the lead researcher of Adaptive Video Analytic technologies, and is also the founder of Spectral-360. His current research interests include object recognition, object tracking, object segmentation, and face detection.

Mohamed's profile

Torfeh Sadat-Shafai

Emeritus Professor

Torfeh's expertise lies in plastic electronics, Photovoltaics, Experimental Physics, Electronic Material; Thin Films Technology and Optoelectronics. Torfeh is also course leader for Advanced Technology MSc

Torfeh's profile

Professor David Webb

Professor

David is the course leader for Continental Philosophy. His expertise includes Modern European Philosophy, especially phenomenology, and French epistemology and philosophy of science (Heidegger, Levinas, Foucault, Serres, Bachelard, Cavaill&egrav…

David's profile

Dr Richard Halfpenny

Course Director

Richard spent 16 years working in a business setting before returning to university studying a PhD on the species discrimination of cryptic Culex mosquito species using non-molecular methods, and their olfactory mediated sugar feeding behaviou…

Richard's profile

Dr Russell Campion

Head Of Department - Computing & Esports

Russell started at the University in 1990, studying a BA, then MRes, and finally a PhD before going into full-time teaching. He currently runs the Department of Computing. Previously he has managed the Information Systems group at Stafford befor…

Russell's profile

Dr Asma Patel

P/T Lecturer (Hrly) - Computing

Dr Justin Champion

Senior Lecturer

Justin has worked for the University for a number of years as a Senior Lecturer in Networking. He is a member of the university's CISCO teaching team and has a wide set of experiences within this field, and has mostly specialised in the area of…

Justin's profile

Dr Mohammad Hasan

Senior Lecturer

Mohammad is a Senior lecturer who is involved in postgraduate research supervision, MSc course management, postgraduate and undergraduate teaching.

Mohammad's profile

Dr Paul Barratt

P/T Lecturer(Hrly)sport & Exercise Psych

Paul is a cultural geographer with research interests focusing on environmental engagements, low carbon living and working, and qualitative research methods.

Paul's profile

Professor Hamidreza Gohari Darabkhani

Professor-Low Carbon & Renew Energy Sys

Prof Gohari Darabkhani has focused his research and industry collaborations on technologies and projects that directly contribute to resolving current major issues in the energy industry to achieving net-zero emission targets by 2050.

Hamidreza's profile

Professor Elhadj Benkhelifa

Professor Of Computer Science

Elhadj is passionate academic and researcher with almost 20 years of experience and demonstrable leadership skills at an international level.

Elhadj's profile

Jon FAIRBURN

Emeritus Professor

Professor Jon Fairburn is active in teaching, research, bid writing and public engagement. He has incorporated credited work experience into geography and tourism degrees as well as the MSc Digital Marketing Management.

Jon's profile

Dr Claire Gwinnett

Professor

I am a Professor in Forensic and Environmental Science. I specialise in forensic fibres analysis, mircoplastics and plastic pollution, hair analysis, paint analysis and glass analysis.

Claire's profile

Facilities

As a postgraduate research student, you'll have access to all of our specialist facilities, and the expertise of our technicians, to help your research succeed.

Automotive, Motorsport and Future Transport Engineering

This multi-purpose, industry standard lab facilitates training, research and academic contextualization related to Automotive and Motorsport studies.

Analytical Methods Laboratory

Our Analytical Methods Laboratory has a range of instrumentation for chemical analysis including chromatography, electrochemistry and molecular and atomic spectroscopy.

Cell Culture Facility

A specialist environment for the culture and study of both cancerous and non-cancerous human and mammalian cell lines.

Imaging Room

A dark room housing a Raman 685nm spectrometer, a Quaser system and Labino Nova Torch Kits.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy laboratory

NMR detects the chemical environment of atomic nuclei by the absorption of radio waves in the presence of a high magnetic field, thus allowing chemical structure determination.

Sequencing Hub and R230

Specialist hub and laboratory for undertaking molecular biology laboratory techniques, projects, and research.

X-ray Diffraction (XRD) laboratory

XRD is a spectroscopic technique where incident x-rays interact, then diffract with atoms in the crystal matrix of a material, and angles are measured to determine their structure.

Specialist PC Lab

Supplementing the specialist equipment and labs on the first floor of The Smart Zone, is our Specialist PC Lab offering a wide range of high end software.

Networks & Cyber Security

Dedicated specialist facilities where students have access to commercial grade networking hardware and software, virtual computing environments, forensic tools and more.

Support and funding

Study options

Our postgraduate research students work on their research in a range of different modes to fit around their work and life commitments – you might be on campus as a full-time or part-time researcher, or you may be studying as a Distance Learner. Your preferred option will be discussed as you go through your research proposal with your potential supervisory team.

Browse study options

Fees and funding

Before you start your application, it's important to consider how you will fund your studies and cover living costs. There are lots of options available to postgraduate students to help support your work, which is why we have put together a detailed guide explaining the costs involved in postgraduate study, and the help that's available to pay for it.

Explore the funding options

How you will be supported

The Graduate School works centrally to support you as a postgraduate researcher by listening, providing development opportunities, managing your journey, and acting as a gateway to pastoral support as you require. 

Visit the Graduate School


How to apply

Interested in researching in the field of Engineering, Technology and Environment? You will need to go through our application process. This is to ensure we can meet your specific needs and support your research topic.

Start your postgraduate career by completing our MPhil/PhD enquiry form. We’ll put you in touch with a member of staff to have an informal conversation about your proposed research and qualifications.

 

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