Modelling of microstructure evolution in light alloys
Applications are invited for our EPSRC funded Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) PhD studentship for the project “Modelling of microstructure evolution in light alloys” starting 1st October 2021. Successful applicants will receive an annual stipend (bursary) of £17,609, including inner London weighting, plus payment of their full-time tuition fees for a period of 36 months (3 years).
The majority of studentships are available to applicants who are eligible for home (UK) tuition fees but a limited number are available to overseas and EU nationals who meet the academic entry criteria.
The Project
The successful applicant will join the internationally recognised researchers in the Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST). This exciting research project is focused on the development and application of advanced computational models to predict, control and improve engineering properties of light metallic materials, such as high-strength aluminium alloys as used in manufacturing of aerospace / automotive components and structures. A combination of the phase-field, CALPHAD, and Monte-Carlo Potts methods will be used to simulate microstructure evolution under real processing conditions during various manufacturing processes such as metal casting, fusion welding, and heat treatment.
Please contact Professor Hamid Assadi at hamid.assadi@brunel.ac.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the project.
Eligibility
Skills and Experience
Applicants will be required to demonstrate their ability to work with engineering / simulation software. Experience in numerical modelling and physical metallurgy is an advantage. In addition, you should be highly motivated, able to work in a team as well as independently and have good communication skills.
Academic Entry Criteria
You will have or be expected to receive a 1st class or 2:1 honours degree in a suitable engineering or science discipline, e.g. metallurgy, materials science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, manufacturing engineering or physics. A masters degree is not required but may be an advantage. If applicable, you should hold an English Language proficiency qualification of or equivalent to an overall score of IELTS 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in all sections).
How to apply
Please submit the documents below) to cedps-pgr-office@brunel.ac.uk by Noon on Friday 4 June 2021. Interviews will take place in June/July 2021.
Your up-to-date CV;
Your 300 to 500 word personal statement summarising your background, skills and experience;
Your Undergraduate/Postgraduate Masters degree certificate(s) and transcript(s);
Your English language qualification, if applicable;
Contact details for TWO referees, one of which can be a member of Brunel University academic staff.
Remember to state the title of the project at the top of your personal statement.
Meet the Supervisor - Professor Hamid Assadi
Prof Hamid Assadi is the Head of Virtual Engineering Centre and Professor of Solidification at Brunel University London. He studied Materials Engineering at Shiraz University, and received his PhD in Materials Science and Metallurgy from University of Cambridge in 1996. His work experience includes a professorship at Tarbiat Modares University, as well as several visiting appointments at Helmut Schmidt University, Max Planck Institute for Iron Research, and German Aerospace Centre (DLR).
I am interested in modelling and simulation of materials and manufacturing processes, ranging from solidification and diffusion bonding to metal forming and cold spraying, with a focus on microstructure development under dynamic or non-equilibrium conditions.
I have been using the finite element method to simulate thermomechanical processes, as well as a combination of phase-field, cellular automata and lattice Boltzmann models to simulate microstructure development in thermal and electrochemical processes.