Accepting PhD Students

PhD projects

As head of the Railway Systems Group's traction systems research, Stuart Hillmansen has developed key themes, built up its reputation internationally in both academic circles and industry, and co-ordinated its dissemination. Improving the energy efficiency of railway systems relies on frontline developments in railway traction systems. Developing and testing cutting-edge hypotheses in this field not only creates interesting and challenging PhD programmes for the team, but ensures that the practical applications of the research are timely and of importance to both industry and the Department for Transport, both of which have carbon reduction strategies. This has led to a number of deployments with direct or collaborative funding.

Software developed by Dr Hillmansen’s team for train simulation and optimisation is currently being applied, not only on the UK's railways but also internationally, through collaborations in the USA and Far East. An example is the application of the simulator to the assessment of new rolling stock designs on the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit system. Dr Hillmansen can supervise doctoral research in all his areas of interest.