Mechanical engineering, fusion, digital: An AI enhanced modelling of tokamak-type fusion power generators (RS983)

Funding Providers: FOSTER, UKAEA + FSE

Subject Area: Nuclear Fusion

Project Start Date:  October 2026 ** (Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates.) 

**In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed. 

Supervisors: 

• Professor Perumal Nithiarasu
• Dr Adesola Ademiloye
• James Morris (UKAEA)

Aligned programme of study: Mechanical Engineering, PhD

Mode of study: Full-time 

Place of study: Swansea University (Bay Campus) 

Project description: 

A fusion power plant is an exceptionally complex multidisciplinary system comprising highly coupled components and interacting physical processes, including magnets, breeder blankets, divertors, plasma systems, and structural materials. The underlying physics spans electromagnetics, thermo-mechanics, plasma dynamics, neutronics, material degradation, and heat transfer. In addition, the manufacturing, construction, and operational challenges associated with tokamak-based systems are substantial.

For sustainable fusion power generation, these tightly coupled systems must operate seamlessly, reliably, and predictably under extreme conditions. This represents not only a major design challenge but also a large-scale optimisation problem due to the strong interdependence between components, materials, and physical processes. At the current stage of fusion development, there is a pressing need for integrated whole-plant modelling frameworks capable of incorporating emerging experimental data, operational knowledge, and multiphysics interactions.

This project will undertake a comprehensive systems-level analysis, starting with two interdependent disciplines, before adding additional disciplines. A hierarchy of computational approaches, including lumped-parameter, reduced-order, and high-fidelity multiphysics models, will be explored. Particular emphasis will be placed on uncovering the relationship between high- and low-fidelity models to uncover, for example, loss of accuracy, speed and/or robustness. Additionally, optimisation and uncertainty quantification techniques with the potential to be applied across the fidelity spectrum will be investigated.

The project will also integrate state-of-the-art machine learning and AI methodologies to accelerate design optimisation, uncertainty quantification, and data integration. Ultimately, the research aims to establish a next-generation federated digital platform capable of linking multiple disciplines and data streams into a unified predictive framework for future fusion power plants.

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline.

English Language: 

IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here. 

Note for applicants with international and European qualifications:

Details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in.

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website. 

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with a scholarship course offer.

UK fee eligible applicants only.

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate of (£21,805 for 2026/27).

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available. 

To apply, please complete the entire application form here 

Applications may be submitted in Welsh and any application submitted in Welsh will be treated no less favourably than an application submitted in English. Please refer to the University’s Welsh Language Policy on Awarding Grants 

To be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required.  

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS893

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory)  

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input: 
  • the RS Code, RS893  
  • the scholarship title  
• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank  
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank  
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload? *’(Mandatory) Please select Yes  
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.  

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.  

If you’ve previously applied for this programme, the system will display an “Application Submitted” warning and block a new submission. In this case:  

1. Apply for the same course with the next available start date (e.g., select January if October is unavailable). 
2. Email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with your student number and the relevant scholarship RS code, requesting the start date be amended to match the advert. 
3. Admissions staff will then update your application accordingly.

Important: If you have previously applied for the same programme & intake, do not re‑apply using a different email address. Applications submitted with an email address that differs from the one used in your original application will not be accepted or considered. 

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.  

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):  

• CV 
• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)  
• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.  
• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.  
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable - please note that you do not need to hold a valid English Language test at time of application, as any offer made can be conditional upon the appropriate level of English. Please find further information on what we can accept via our English Language policy pages here). 
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)  
• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Professor Perumal Nithiarasu  p.nithiarasu@swansea.ac.uk 

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.