A PhD in biodegradable plastic military training cartridges. Sponsored by a leading an ammunition manufacturing company in Norway. The PhD is fully funded with a travel and consumable budget. There will be time spent in Norway to test materials etc.

Sustainability in explosive waste management remains a critical yet understudied challenge, particularly for small-scale, remote manufacturing facilities that often lack the resources and infrastructure of larger defence or industrial operations. 

This research aims to identify and evaluate sustainability strategies across social, economic, and environmental dimensions that offer the greatest potential for routine, practical implementation in these contexts.

The study will adopt a multi-criteria assessment framework combining environmental impact analysis, cost benefit evaluation, and social acceptability measures. It will examine current waste treatment and disposal methods, alongside emerging innovations such as waste valorisation, circular material use, and low-energy remediation technologies. Field studies and stakeholder engagement will be conducted to understand operational constraints, regulatory barriers, and opportunities for knowledge transfer and collaboration.

There will be the opportunity to visit and work with the leading ammunition manufacturing company.

By working closely with both the manufacturing company and Cranfield University, the student will engage with industry experts in ammunition production as well as academics specialising in chemistry, environmental science and engineering gaining a broad range of valuable and transferable skills.

At a glance

  • Application deadline02 Sep 2026
  • Award type(s)PhD
  • Start date05 Oct 2026
  • Duration of award3 years (full-time)
  • EligibilityUK
  • Reference numberCRAN-0086

Supervisor

1st Supervisor: Professor Tracey Temple

2nd Supervisor: Dr Federica Persico

3rd Supervisor: Professor Frederic Coulon

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a first or second call UK honours degree in material science or engineering. An advantage be with a military background or an understanding.

Funding

Sponsored by A European Manufacturing Company, a student stipend will £21, 805 per year plus fees for three years.

To be eligible for this funding, applicants must be classified as a Home fee status student. Eligibility for Home fee status is determined with reference to UK Department for Education rules. As a guiding principle UK or Irish nationals who are ordinarily resident in either the UK or Republic of Ireland pay Home tuition fees. All other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees. Further advice can be found on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.

Diversity and Inclusion at Cranfield

We are committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in our CDT program, and warmly encourage applications from students of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. We particularly welcome students with disabilities, neurodiverse individuals, and those who identify with diverse ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses. Cranfield strives to provide an accessible and inclusive environment to enable all doctoral candidates to thrive and achieve their full potential.

At Cranfield, we value our diverse staff and student community and maintain a culture where everyone can work and study together harmoniously with dignity and respect. This is reflected in our University values of ambition, impact, respect and community. We welcome students and staff from all backgrounds from over 100 countries and support our staff and students to realise their full potential, from academic achievement to mental and physical wellbeing.

We are committed to progressing the diversity and inclusion agenda, for example; gender diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through our Athena SWAN Bronze award and action plan, we are members of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) and Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day. We are also Disability Confident Level 1 Employers and members of the Business Disability Forum and Stonewall University Champions Programme. 

Cranfield Doctoral Network

Research students at Cranfield benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of the Cranfield Doctoral Network. This network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for our researchers to share ideas and collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge. A tailored programme of seminars and events, alongside our Doctoral Researchers Core Development programme (transferable skills training), provide those studying a research degree with a wealth of social and networking opportunities.

How to apply

For further information please contact:   

Name: Professor Tracey Temple

Email: t.temple@cranfield.ac.uk

If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form.

Applications should be submitted as soon as possible, as the interview process will begin within the application period due to high demand. 

This studentship is based at our Shrivenham Campus.

This vacancy may be filled before the closing date so early application is strongly encouraged.

Please ensure that your fully completed online application form is submitted by the application closing date. All requested documentation should be uploaded to the online form before submission. Note, your application will not be considered unless all relevant documents have been uploaded. For more information please visit  Applying for a research degree.