Start date: 01 October 2026
Muography is a fast-growing field of applied nuclear physics that uses cosmic ray muons as a powerful inspection probe. By detecting natural muons as they pass through a structure, muographers can form accurate 3D structural images based on the density of the constituent materials inside. The University of Glasgow has one of the leading academic research groups in this field with over 15 years of experience developing this technology to address various complex societal challenges, including the inspection of shielded nuclear waste containers. In recent years, the technique has been applied to built infrastructure inspection and monitoring including for transport bridges. Muography has significant potential to identify deep sources of structural defect before they become visible to more conventional technologies, meaning it can help improve the safety and availability of these critical public structures. However, more research is required to transform muography into a technique that can be routinely adopted and relied on by transport authorities.
The research undertaken during this Industrial PhD Studentship at the University of Glasgow in partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), will be vital in achieving this. The student will be based in the University of Glasgow’s Muography Research Group and build upon existing Machine Learning research to improve the identification and classification of materials within thick concrete structures. This will help to increase confidence in the identification of certain courses of defect including corrosion of steel reinforcement and void formation. The student will also research, develop and test innovative analysis technique that combine data from different inspection modalities (including ultrasound and ground-penetrating radar) with muography to improve the quality, reliability and speed of information.
The student will join an award-winning academic research team with two current muography Ph.D. students and will make a significant contribution to pushing the boundaries of possibility with muography for built infrastructure inspection. The student will have access to state-of-the-art computing infrastructure and muography systems for simulated and experimental data analyses.
The student will benefit from the additional supervision of industrial partners at the Manufacturing Technology Centre. The MTC is an independent Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) focused on accelerating disruptive technologies in UK manufacturing. Supported by the Government, it partners with industry and research bodies to drive innovation across all UK manufacturing sectors, from Small to Medium Enterprises to large global manufacturers. For details, please visit the MTC website.
Within this project, the student will have the opportunity to visit the MTC, spend extended research visits at the MTC and integrate themselves within the relevant technology departments. As part of this PhD, the student will be a part of the M&NDT (Materials and Non-Destructive Testing) department at MTC, gaining direct access to advanced NDT equipment and facilities. They will also benefit from the guidance and expertise of MTC’s NDT specialists, ensuring exposure to invaluable industry insight and best practices. This collaboration will provide the student with hands-on experience in cutting-edge inspection technologies, strengthen the industrial relevance of their research, and foster the translation of academic outcomes into practical applications for UK manufacturing.
How to Apply: Please refer to the following website for details on how to apply:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/.
Apply to the School of Physics and Astronomy.
