PhD Studentship: Battery Degradation Modelling and SOX Estimation for EV Applications

Overview

Oxford Brookes University is offering a three-year, full-time PhD studentship on battery degradation modelling and state estimation for electric vehicle applications. The project is run in collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover. It will develop physics-informed, state-based estimation algorithms for lithium-ion battery systems, combining electrochemical degradation models with Kalman filtering and observer-based techniques to predict internal states and ageing in real time.

The work balances model accuracy, computational efficiency and robustness under varying operating conditions, and its results are meant to support next-generation battery management systems with better diagnostics, prognostics and control. The Director of Studies is Prof Shahab Resalati, with Dr Aydin Azizi as supervisor.

Who can apply

The studentship is open to home, EU and international students. Applicants need a Master's degree or equivalent in electrical engineering, control engineering, mechatronics, robotics or a related discipline with a strong focus on dynamic systems, plus a strong grounding in state-space modelling, estimation theory and control. Good knowledge of lithium-ion battery systems, battery management systems and equivalent circuit and electrochemical models is required, along with proven ability to build real-time state estimation algorithms and proficiency in MATLAB and Simulink. Experience with advanced estimators, battery ageing and diagnostics, reduced-order models, battery testing, automotive systems or machine learning is desirable. International and EU applicants need a valid IELTS Academic certificate with an overall score of at least 6.0 and no component below 5.5, issued within the last two years.

What you get

The studentship covers university fees at the home rate only, together with a stipend of £21,805 per annum. International students and EU students without Settled Status must pay the difference between home and international fees, and visas and related costs are not covered.

How to apply

Candidates are asked to make contact with the studentship team before applying, then apply directly through the university portal. The application should include a cover letter, a CV, details of two referees (at least one academic), degree certificates and transcripts, and a passport scan. International and EU applicants must also supply English language evidence and evidence of funding.

Key dates

The closing date is 23 October 2026. Interviews will be held online, and the start date is January 2027.