Current NCEFE opportunities
Characterising vegan cheese: Its microstructure and the influence of ingredients and process
(closing date 10th May)
Micromechanical approaches for predicting fragmentation and abrasion of brown rice
(closing date 10th May)
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
Current NCEFE opportunities
Characterising vegan cheese: Its microstructure and the influence of ingredients and process
(closing date 10th May)
Micromechanical approaches for predicting fragmentation and abrasion of brown rice
(closing date 10th May)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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’.
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.
Join the Doctoral Community
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.