Dispersion strengthened magnesium alloy development Research Fellow

College / Directorate: Brunel Centre for Advance Solidification Technology

Full Time / Part Time: Full Time, Fixed term – 36 months

Posted Date 06/01/2022

Closing Date 03/02/2022

Ref No 2849

Position no 14352

Salary (R1 Grade): £34,304 to £40,927 pa plus £2,166 pa London Weighting

Applications from suitably qualified and motivated individuals are invited for a position as a Research Fellow to work on an EPSRC funded project to develop dispersion strengthened magnesium alloys at BCAST, Brunel University London. In collaboration with industrial partners, you will be developing Mg alloys with ex-situ dispersions with high strength, good ductility and high thermal stability for the automotive applications.

BCAST is a speciality research centre in metallurgy and materials engineering with an international reputation and is the host of the national centre of excellence in liquid metal engineering (the Future LiME Research Hub). Our research covers fundamental research, technological development and industrial applications in materials processing, with a focus on solidification of metallic materials. See www.brunel.ac.uk/bcast for more information.

The aim of this post is to develop high strength, cost effective dispersion strengthened magnesium (DSM) alloys. It involves investigation of nano-colloids stability, solidification behaviour and development of process maps suitable for manufacturing DSM alloys using practical casting processes.

The successful candidate will work towards defining processing strategies in particle introduction / dispersion in liquid metal, minimisation of particle agglomeration/pushing during solidification. He/she will determine the optimum processing route to produce dispersions within Mg matrix and quantify the impact of variation in their size/fraction on the microstructural evolution and the strength of Mg alloys. Candidates should have a good understanding of metallurgy of magnesium alloys/composites and a working knowledge in high temperature liquid/solid interfacial kinetics of other alloy systems. The successful candidate is expected to broaden the project concept and apply to other metal systems. The successful candidate will also be expected to interact with other project team members at BCAST and with research engineers from industrial partners.

The successful candidate should have a minimum qualification of PhD degree in materials science, metallurgy and engineering, or another suitable engineering discipline, and should have a sound background in physical metallurgy. Research experience in solidification & processing of metallic materials, skills in microstructural characterisation using electron microscopy techniques and a working knowledge of various sample preparation techniques are essential. In addition, the successful candidate should have good communication and presentation skills and be a team player.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof Hari Babu Nadendla (mtsthbn@brunel.ac.uk).

Closing date for receipt of applications is: 3 February 2022

Brunel University London is fully committed to creating and sustaining a fully inclusive workforce culture. We support flexible working. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities, we particularly welcome applicants who are currently under- represented in our workforce.