Aluminium alloy development for die casting and additive manufacturing processes
Applications are invited for our EPSRC funded Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) PhD studentship for the project “Aluminium alloy development for die casting and additive manufacturing processes” 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). To meet the demand for producing high performance lightweight components, the industry is currently exploring design of novel alloy(s) which could offer higher strength whilst meeting other property requirements. It is expected that solidification conditions in thin wall high pressure die casting could be similar to that of some of additive manufacturing processed parts. In this studentship, to obtain optimal strengthening without compromising ductility of the alloy, the doctoral researcher will apply computer aided alloy design process and produce high performance alloy compositions suitable for die casting and additive manufacturing processes.
Please contact Professor Hari-Babu Nadendla at Hari-Babu.nadendla@brunel.ac.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the project.
Eligibility
Skills and Experience
Applicants will be required to demonstrate their ability to understand the key metallurgical principles in designing alloys with specific properties; a sound knowledge in solidification /casting processes used in for producing automotive castings and a deep understanding of microstructure versus the mechanical property relationship. In addition, you should be highly motivated, able to work in a team as well as independently, collaborate with others 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 Hari-Babu Nadendla
Professor Hari Babu Nadendla joined Brunel University London in 2006. Prior to that he was a Research Fellow (1999-2002), then a Senior Research Fellow (2002-2003) and, ultimately, Advanced Research Fellow (2003-2006) at the University of Cambridge. He has published over 200 papers in international peer reviewed journals and holds 4 international patents. He was awarded the PASREG award of excellence in 2007 for his outstanding contribution to the development and characterisation of bulk high temperatures superconductors. During his post-doctoral career, he received best poster presentation awards. Since joining BCAST, his research has expanded from processing of superconducting materials to understanding the heterogeneous nucleation process during solidification, developing chemical grain refiners for Al and Mg alloys, processing of high performance MMCs using intensive melt shearing, and twin roll casting Al-alloys from a recycled source for automotive application.