Doctoral research

PhD opportunities

Current NCEFE opportunities

Recruitment currently closed.

University-wide opportunities

Doctoral programmes and projects

Self-funded opportunities

We welcome applications for PhDs and other research degrees aligned to any of the research themes.  
Please start your journey with us by having an exploratory conversation with our Deputy Head of Centre, Dr Hongwei Zhang.
 

Email Dr Zhang

Doctoral research

Our Doctoral researchers are helping us drive sustainable innovations through their contribution to original research and their delivery of high quality, research-led teaching.  

PhD opportunities

Current NCEFE opportunities

Recruitment currently closed.

University-wide opportunities

Doctoral programmes and projects

Self-funded opportunities

We welcome applications for PhDs and other research degrees aligned to any of the research themes.  
Please start your journey with us by having an exploratory conversation with our Deputy Head of Centre, Dr Hongwei Zhang.
 

Email Dr Zhang

Doctoral researchers

Abraham Badjona, PhD student

Abraham Badjona

My multi-disciplinary research applies different processing methods in order to improve the nutritional and functional properties of Faba beans for 'Healthier lives'. My primary research interests focus on physiochemistry of biopolymers, bioactive compounds, functional properties and biochemical assays.

Tasmiyah Javed, PhD student

Tasmiyah Javed

My research aims to introduce MEF technology for food processing taking a step towards achieving net zero and contributing to 'Food system sustainability'. My primary research interests focus on learning-based control, machine and deep learning.

Alex O'Brien, PhD student

Alex O'Brien

My research is concerned with advanced real-time control and optimisation in mixed beer fermentation - bringing better control, greater efficiency and contributing to ‘Digital Innovations’. My primary research interests focus on biochemistry, control engineering and data science.

Haseeb Zaidi

Haseeb Zaidi

My research project is “Machine learning for fault and anomaly detection in food and drink manufacturing”. My main research interests are in machine learning through Electrical (Computer Systems) Engineering  and AI and Data Science and at NCEFE I am contributing to 'Digital Innovations'.

Benjamin Ilo

Benjamin Ilo

My diverse, applied, MPhil research is to perform real-time condition monitoring and early-stage fault detection and diagnosis on rice milling machines to improve quality of milling and reduce machine down-time. My primary research interests are in the quality control of rice milling processes using computer vision, machine learning, and artificial intelligence in Industry 4.0 enabled processes and contributing to ‘Digital Innovations’.

Emmanuel Lwele

Emmanuel Lwele

My research is exploring ‘Digital Twins’. These are virtual replicas of physical systems or processes that enable simulation, optimization and prediction, allowing for a deeper understanding of a physical system which can improve its performance and efficiency. My research interest is the creation of novel AI-based methods for creating data-driven surrogate models. At NCEFE I am contributing to 'Digital Innovations'

Leo Luke

Leo Luke

I am a Mechanical Engineering with an interest in automation, control and robotics. My research focuses on model-based MEF/Ohmic Heating food processing. My work at NCEFE aims to facilitate the transition from laboratory to industrial-scale operations to decarbonise food manufacturing, utilising control system development and machine learning for ‘Food system sustainability’.

Thouseena Ajmal

Thouseena Ajmal

I have a background in food science, food safety and food processing engineering – studying and working in both the UK and India. My research explores how multi-modal imaging techniques can be combined with laboratory analysis to helping decision making in quality assessment for food manufacturing and is contributing to 'Digital innovations' and ‘Healthier lives’.

Healthier Lives artwork

Tammy Chiang

I am a Chemical Engineer with a keen interest in food processing. My research aims to enhance the safety and nutritional value of fava beans in food products in promoting ‘Healthier lives’. My primary research areas encompass processing technology, plant biochemistry, food nutrition, and formulation.

Loba Oluwole-Ojo, PhD student

Dr Loba Oluwole-ojo

Completed Sept. 2023      My research covers the application of continuous flow ohmic heating and advanced process control to industrial food processing, to support smart processing for ‘Food system sustainability’. My primary research interests focus on process control, modelling and validation, industrial automation and smart systems.


Research Degrees

Join the Doctoral Community

Research with us
Find out about Sheffield Hallam’s thriving doctoral research community.

Doctoral programmes and projects
Search for a doctoral programme or project.

How to apply
SHU accept applications all year round, for enrolment in October, February or May.

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Fund novel research

PhD studentships

Businesses can contribute to the developing knowledge base by funding individual scholarships or research topics.  You can facilitate our PhD students to find innovative solutions that enhance your business such as developing new processes or technology.

Previous innovations have included improving product crispiness in the chilled food chain and the hot-cutting and packing of baked foods to maximise shelf-life.