A Modular 10kVA Building Block Architecture for Scalable High-Performance Motor Drives
Eligibility: UK/International (including EU) graduates with the required entry requirements
Duration: Full-Time – Four years fixed term
Application deadline:15 November 2026
Interview date: Will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates
Start date: May 2027
For further details contact: Petar Igic
Introduction
Through SRAP, Coventry-based PhD researchers undertake one to two years of research training in Singapore under the joint supervision of researchers from both Coventry and ARTC. The programme offers PhD researchers an exceptional opportunity to gain international research experience while contributing to ambitious, multidisciplinary research addressing global technological and sustainability challenges.
This collaborative PhD programme enables researchers to work at the interface of academic research, advanced engineering and industrial innovation. Researchers will engage with expertise and facilities across both institutions, build international research networks, and develop experience in translating advanced research into practical solutions for future mobility and remanufacturing systems.
The programme is particularly suited to ambitious researchers seeking to shape next-generation electric mobility systems and circular manufacturing technologies, while gaining valuable research experience across the UK and Singapore.
Project details
This PhD research project will investigate the development of a scalable, modular motor-drive architecture based on standardised 10 kVA SiC inverter building blocks. The project will examine how multiple power modules can be interconnected to achieve higher power ratings while maintaining high efficiency, stability, power quality and reliability. It will focus on the hypothesis that appropriate distributed control, synchronisation and current-sharing strategies can enable modular inverter units to operate effectively as a single integrated drive system, with scalability from 10 kVA to 50 kVA and beyond. The research will also investigate the potential to achieve overall system efficiencies of up to 98% through optimised switching strategies, thermal management and distributed DC link energy storage. The project will combine analytical modelling, simulation, controller development, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and experimental validation to demonstrate the feasibility and performance of the proposed modular architecture under representative operating conditions.
Research may include:
• Design and development of SiC-based two-level 10 kVA inverter power modules, including power stage design, gate driving and protection.
• Investigation of modular DC link capacitor structures and their impact on system performance, power density and reliability.
• Development and comparison of master-slave and fully distributed control architectures for modular motor drives.
• Development of synchronisation and current sharing strategies to ensure stable and balanced operation of parallel connected inverter modules.
• System level modelling and simulation to investigate scalability from 10 kVA to 50 kVA, including efficiency, stability, transient response and power quality performance.
• Investigation and optimisation of switching strategies and modulation techniques to minimise losses and improve overall system efficiency.
• Investigation of thermal management and electrothermal behaviour of individual modules and the complete modular drive.
• Development of distributed DC link energy storage approaches and assessment of their influence on dynamic performance and reliability.
• Realtime validation of control strategies using hardware-in-the-loop platforms before implementation on physical hardware.
• Design, manufacture and experimental testing of prototype modular inverter systems to validate the proposed architecture and control strategies.
• Evaluation of the modular drive against defined performance, scalability, efficiency and reliability targets under representative real-world operating conditions.
• Identification of the key technical limitations and design requirements for extending the proposed modular architecture to higher power ratings and different motor-drive applications.
Funding
Tuition fees and bursary
Benefits
The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills. All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral College and Centre for Research Capability and Development, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.
You’re invited to become part of the Coventry Centre for Doctoral Training in AI (C-CDT AI ): a dynamic, collaborative hub uniting AI staff and PGR researchers from across the University.
As a C-CDT member you’ll benefit from structured AI training (from core research methods to ethics and innovation), interdisciplinary peer networks, specialist supervision, shared GPU/cloud resources, workshops, seminars and industry-focused challenge projects.
This additional training and community, complements your home research centre programme, accelerates your technical and professional development, and connects you with a broad AI research ecosystem tackling impactful problems across sectors.
Entry requirements
- A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average.
PLUS
- The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within 4 years.
- A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS academic overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).
Additional requirements
Candidates should normally hold, or expect to obtain, a strong first degree and/or master's qualification in a relevant STEM discipline. Suitable backgrounds may include:
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Power engineering
• Industrial and Systems Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
Depending on the specific PhD project, desirable technical experience may include one or more of the following: power electronics and motor-drive systems, SiC-based power semiconductor devices and inverter design, experience in control and modulation techniques for power converters, modelling and simulation of power electronic systems, experience in hardware prototyping, experimental testing and hardware-in-the-loop validation.
Candidates should demonstrate a strong interest in interdisciplinary research and an enthusiasm for addressing complex engineering and sustainability challenges.
Candidates should be capable of working independently while also contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary research team. Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication and scientific writing skills are essential.
As the programme involves international collaborative research and an extended research attachment in Singapore, candidates should also demonstrate adaptability, cultural awareness, effective communication and a willingness to work in an international research environment.
Candidates may be required to satisfy the academic, English-language, immigration, security and other eligibility requirements of Coventry University, A*STAR and the Singapore Research Attachment Programme.
How to apply
To find out more about the project, please contact Petar Igic
All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus a 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.
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