Research
For more information about research degrees and the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, please visit Key Information.
Postgraduate activity in Mechanical Engineering includes PhD, MPhil and EngD degrees obtained by research into fundamental and applied areas of engineering. Mechanical Engineering at Heriot-Watt University is one of the largest departments devoted to this subject in Scotland, and has a strong international reputation in all areas of its research. Each year, we attract new, external research contracts worth around £3M from industry, the research councils and the EU. We host the Scottish Manufacturing Institute with funding of more than £4M over 5 years from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. We have strong links with industry and many of the projects have particular industrial relevance.
Our research spans the spectrum of traditional mechanical engineering to areas that cross the interface between mechanical engineering and other disciplines (such as materials, medicine and physics). Our research is divided into themes:
- Design, manufacture and robotics
- Energy technology, heat transfer & fluid mechanics
- Microsystems and packaging
- Optical engineering
- Renewable energy
- Surfaces, microengineering and diagnostics
These challenging projects will develop your experimental, theoretical and creative skills, and take you to the forefront of your chosen field. For current vacancies, please visit http://www.mec.hw.ac.uk/postgrad/projects.htm .
