Optimisation of Power Management Circuit for Self-powered Systems[Engineering - PhD (Funded)] Ref: 5550

Supervisors

Primary Supervisor - Dr Zheng Jun Chew, Department of Engineering, University of Exeter

Secondary Supervisor - Prof Mustafa Aziz, Department of Engineering, University of Exeter

The University of Exeter’s Department of Engineering is inviting applications for a PhD studentship fully funded by the department to commence on September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.  For eligible students the studentship will cover Home or International tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study.  The student would be based in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy at the Streatham Campus in Exeter.

Project Description:

Self-powered systems, which harvest energy from ambient sources (e.g., solar, thermal, electromagnetic or kinetic), are critical for the sustainable operation of wireless IoT devices and remote sensors. The world can reduce reliance on batteries and fossil-fuel-derived power if more systems can be self-powered. By optimising energy efficiency, waste from disposable batteries and the need for cabling can be reduced, which supports the global Net Zero goals in decarbonisation with minimal environmental impact. However, their practicability is often limited by suboptimal power management circuits (PMC), which need to be optimised or custom-designed on a case-by-case basis. This project seeks to advance energy autonomy by optimising power conversion, storage, and distribution in such systems, enabling broader adoption in real-world applications.

The project aims to develop a PMC design that is applicable to different types of energy harvesters. This project will explore how PMC can be optimised to maximise efficiency, reliability and scalability using novel circuit topologies, adaptive control strategies, and hybrid energy storage solutions to address key challenges in self-powered systems under dynamic environmental conditions by:

·       Develop machine learning or heuristic-based control algorithms for whole system efficiency optimisation.

·       Design and simulate power management circuits using tools like SPICE or MATLAB/Simulink.

·       Prototype and test circuits with real energy harvesters (e.g., thermoelectric, piezoelectric, photovoltaic).

This funded PhD scholarship is suitable for students with a background in Engineering.  Students with interests in power management circuits, optimisation, machine learning, AI are encouraged to apply.

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee (~£24k) and no stipend.   

International applicants need to be aware that they will have to cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.

The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Entry requirements

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science, technology and engineering. Candidate with a background in programming skills and electronic engineering is preferred. 

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents.

•            CV

•            Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).

•            Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)

•            Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email the reference direct to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk quoting the studentship reference number.

•            If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 18th February 2026.  Interviews will be held virtually, date TBC

All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.

Please quote reference 5550 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary