Have a Master's Degree? Get started on your research and pursue a doctoral degree!

Are you interested in discovering how materials work, developing new materials and technologies, and finding solutions to challenges that matter in practice? Would you like to become part of a research team and contribute to the advancement of materials science? PhD studies in Materials Science offer you the opportunity to pursue your own research, work on challenging projects and develop the expertise needed for a career in research, academia or industrial R&D.

PhD studies are different

Doctoral studies are not simply about attending classes and passing exams. The main focus is on your own research, which you will carry out as part of a research team. You will work on research projects, collaborate with industrial partners and contribute to solving real-world engineering challenges.

You will also have the opportunity to gain international experience, develop your presentation and communication skills, and take part in teaching Bachelor's students. You will gradually become an independent researcher, learning to plan experiments, evaluate results, publish scientific findings and present your work at international conferences.

What can you focus your research on?

Our research covers a wide range of materials, technologies and applications. Depending on your interests and research topic, you can focus on areas such as:

• Surface engineering and advanced coating technologies, including Cold Spray and electron beam technologies.
• Development, processing and characterisation of aluminium alloys, advanced Mg-Li alloys and intermetallic compounds such as TiAl and NiAl.
• Optimisation of the composition and properties of nickel-based alloys for energy and aerospace applications.
• Advanced technologies for the preparation of ceramics and composites, including injection moulding, pressing, cold isostatic pressing (CIP), hot isostatic pressing (HIP), extrusion, electrophoretic deposition, dip coating, spraying and sol-gel methods.
• Advanced ceramics, including bioceramics, nanoceramics and electroceramics.
• Selection and evaluation of structural materials and welded joints for dynamically loaded applications.
• The effects of hydrogen on the properties of aluminium alloys and other materials used in demanding operating conditions.
• Thermodynamics and phase equilibria in multicomponent alloys.
• Computational modelling of materials using quantum-mechanical calculations and machine learning.

Connecting university research with the scientific community

An important part of our doctoral studies is our close collaboration with the Institute of Physics of Materials of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IPM CAS). This partnership creates opportunities to work on joint research topics, use specialised facilities and become part of research teams at both institutions.

Depending on your research project, you may carry out your work at the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, the Institute of Physics of Materials CAS or other collaborating workplaces. This gives you access to a broad research environment and the opportunity to work with experts from different fields.

Choose the form of study that suits you

The doctoral programme in Materials Science (D-MAT) offers different study options:

• Full-time studies – ideal if you want to devote most of your time to research and become actively involved in the work of a research team.
• Combined studies – suitable for applicants who wish to pursue their doctoral research alongside their professional career.
• Studies in English – an opportunity for international applicants and those who prefer to pursue their doctoral studies in English.

Depending on the conditions of the programme and your research project, financial support may be available in the form of a doctoral scholarship or employment at the institute.

Where can a PhD take you?

A PhD in Materials Science opens up career opportunities in both academia and industry. Our graduates can pursue careers in:

• Research teams at the Czech Academy of Sciences and other research institutions.
• Universities and higher education institutions, combining research with teaching.
• Industrial research and development departments.
• Companies focused on materials development, processing, testing and characterisation.
• Specialist positions requiring advanced knowledge of materials, their properties and behaviour.

Do you have a Master's degree and a passion for research?

The doctoral programme in Materials Science (D-MAT) is open to graduates with a Master's degree, particularly in engineering and natural sciences. We welcome applicants from Brno University of Technology as well as other Czech, Slovak and international universities. Professionals from industry with a relevant Master's qualification are also welcome to apply.

If you would like to deepen your expertise, work on challenging research projects and contribute to the development of new materials and technologies, join us and become part of our research community.