Smart Manufacturing and Digital Twin Modelling for Remanufacturing Systems(PhD (Funded) Ref: 5831

Supervisors

Dr Malarvizhi Kaniappan Chinnathai, Department of Engineering, University of Exeter

Dr Martino Luis  Department of Engineering, University of Exeter

Remanufacturing plays a vital role in enabling sustainable and circular production systems by recovering value from end-of-use products and components. A key operational stage within remanufacturing is product recovery and material separation, which strongly influences overall system performance, cost efficiency, and environmental impact. This is a critical stage in remanufacturing where uncertainties make planning and decision-making more complex and difficult to optimise using conventional approaches. This project aims to develop advanced modelling and simulation frameworks to support decision-making in smart remanufacturing systems, enabling improved operational performance, resource efficiency, and sustainability outcomes.

Alongside the Exeter Digital Enterprise Systems (ExDES) research group, the successful candidate will be expected to:

Develop a conceptual modelling and digital twin framework for smart remanufacturing systems to enhance decision-making under uncertainty. 

Design and implement the simulation models using appropriate tools (e.g., AnyLogic, Simio, Siemens Plant Sim, Python, MATLAB or other relevant simulation platforms)

Evaluate and validate the proposed framework and assess its impact on operational efficiency and sustainability in remanufacturing contexts

This funded PhD studentship is open to highly motivated candidates with a strong background in Engineering or a closely related discipline. Applicants should have an interest in manufacturing systems, operations research, and simulation modelling.

Candidates with prior experience in areas such as discrete-event simulation, agent-based modelling, systems modelling, digital twins, optimisation, or decision-support systems are especially encouraged to apply.

Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Systems Engineering, Operations Management, Computer Science, or a related field. A master's degree in a relevant area would be desirable but is not essential.

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 Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Systems Engineering, Operations Management, Computer Science, or a related field.

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).

•            Research proposal

•            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 14 April 2026. 

Interviews will be held virtually  week commencing 4 May 2026.

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

Please quote reference 5831 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary