John Brian Roberts Studentship (2025)

The School of Engineering and Informatics invites outstanding applicants to apply for the prestigious John Brian Roberts (JBR) PhD Studentship in the department of Engineering and Design.

What you get

As a recipient of the JBR studentship, you will receive: 

  • a tax-free stipend at the standard rate for 3.5 years- currently £20,780 pa for 25/26 

  • a fee waiver at the UK or international rate for 3.5 years 

  • 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 23:59

How 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: 

  • Degree certificates and transcripts (undergraduate and postgraduate, if available) 

  • CV 

  • 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

  • The name of your preferred supervisor(s) in the suggested supervisor section 

  • 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: