[FSE PhD President's Doctoral Scholarship] Business Model Innovation and Strategic Coordination in Circular Critical Material Value Chains: An Evolutionary and Agent-Based Modelling of Electric Vehicle Batteries
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
PhD Research Project
Competition Funded
Students Worldwide
Supervisors: Dr Okechukwu Okorie, Dr Oluwaseun Olabode
Application Deadline: 18 December 2026
Details
This PhD investigates how circular business models and strategic collaboration can strengthen the sustainability and resilience of electric vehicle (EV) battery value chains. The research will examine how end-of-life batteries can be reused, repurposed and recycled, and how manufacturers, recyclers and other industry actors can coordinate investments, share information and develop commercially viable circular strategies. It will generate new knowledge on how collaboration, investment decisions and changing market conditions influence critical material recovery, value creation and supply chain resilience, supporting the development of sustainable and commercially viable circular battery ecosystems.
This project is expected to start in September 2027.
Before you apply: You should contact the project supervisors to learn more about the project and discuss whether it may be suitable for you.
How to apply:
To be considered for this project, you must submit a formal application through our online application portal. If you already have an applicant account, use this link to open an application for FSE PhD President's Doctoral Scholarship. If you do not yet have an applicant account, follow the account setup instructions. Once your account is set up, use this link to open an application for this programme.
When applying, please specify the full title and supervisor/s of the project, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. You must also upload a Supporting Statement describing your motivation to apply to the project, your CV and transcripts of awarded and in-progress university qualifications. Please note late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester and central to all our activities. A diverse research community strengthens creativity, productivity and quality, while increasing the societal and economic impact of our work. We welcome applicants from all career paths, backgrounds and sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation or transgender status.
We welcome applications from candidates returning to study after a career break or experience in other roles. Flexible study arrangements may be available, including part-time study at 50%, 60% or 80%, subject to the requirements of the project and funder.
Eligibility: Applicants are expected to hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in engineering, mathematics, computer science, operational research, strategy, innovation management, operations and supply-chain management, sustainability management, business analytics, economics, management or a related quantitative discipline. Research experience in computational modelling or data analysis (for example Python, simulation or machine learning) is desirable, as is an interest in strategic decision-making and sustainability.
FSE_PDS
Funding Notes
Funding covers tuition fees, an annual stipend at the UKRI minimum rate (currently £21,805 per year) plus £1,000/annum enhancement, and a research training support grant of up to £20,000 for the full 4-year programme.
