John Brian Roberts Studentship (2025)
What you get
As a recipient of the JBR studentship, you will receive:
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a tax-free stipend at the standard rate for 3.5 years- currently £20,780 pa for 25/26
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a fee waiver at the UK or international rate for 3.5 years
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a one-off Research and Training Support Grant of £2,000
Type of award
Postgraduate Research
PhD project
John Brian Roberts was a world-renowned Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sussex. He spent 30 years at the University specialising in the field of nonlinear random vibration, becoming Dean of Engineering in 1990, and a Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University in 1997. His family left a generous legacy to provide funding for outstanding PhD scholars in Engineering.
We invite applicants to propose their own research project which closely aligns with the work in one (or more) of our Engineering research groups and/or centres. Our research groups are Advanced Communications and Signal Processing,Energy and Material Engineering and Robotics and Sensor Technology.
Applicants must identify up to two preferred supervisors for their research project. Please consult our guidance on finding a supervisor. We strongly encourage applicants to make an informal enquiry as to the supervisor’s availability and interest in the proposed research before submitting an application. An informal enquiry can help ensure a better match, thus strengthening your application.
Eligibility
This scholarship is available to UK and international applicants.
Applicants are typically expected to hold at least an upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in a related field. However, those who do not meet this requirement may still be considered if they hold a relevant postgraduate qualification or can demonstrate sufficient professional experience to compensate.
The University of Sussex believes that the diversity of its staff and student community isfundamental to creative thinking, pedagogic innovation, intellectual challenge, and theinterdisciplinary approach to research and learning. We celebrate and promote diversity,equality and inclusion amongst our staff and students. As such, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Number of scholarships available
1
Deadline
8 June 2025 23:59How to apply
Apply online for a full time PhD in Engineering (SEP2025) using our step-by-step guide.
Please ensure you application includes the following:
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Degree certificates and transcripts (undergraduate and postgraduate, if available)
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CV
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If your first language is not English, documentation indicating how you meet the University’s English language requirements
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Two academic references or referee contact details, including at least one reference from an academic institution if you have been a student within the last 5 years
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The name of your preferred supervisor(s) in the suggested supervisor section
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A clear indication that you are applying to the JBR studentship in the finance section
Contact us
For application enquiries, please email phd.engineering@sussex.ac.uk.
Timetable
Application deadline: 8th June 2025, 23:59 GMT
Entry date: 22nd September 2025
Availability
At level(s):
PG (research)
Application deadline:
8 June 2025 23:59 (GMT)
Countries
The award is available to people from these specific countries: