LightMe
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research fellowship (“LightMe”) at BCAST, Brunel University London. The position is offered as a two-year fixed-term contract.
Salary (Grade R1): £35,963 - £42,488 per annum (incl. of London Allowance)
Full time, fixed term for 2 years
BCAST is a speciality research centre focusing on solidification related research 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 the field of solidification and materials processing. See www.brunel.ac.uk/bcast for more information. The Advanced Metal Casting and Advanced Metal Processing Centres are new on-site state-of-the-art scale-up facilities that bridge the gap between fundamental research and full-scale industrial production/manufacturing.
The LightMe Project is an €11M EU Horizon 2020 project that involves over 20 partners throughout Europe. The successful candidate for this position will work on the development of a pilot line for high pressure die cast aluminium and magnesium nanocomposite components. The research will include: (1) die cast modelling and simulation of alloys and nanocomposites; (2) modification of the pilot line to produce industrial scale castings; (3) development and optimisation of the casting process for alloys and nanocomposites; (4) evaluation of the microstructure and mechanical properties of the final components. You will be also expected to work collaboratively with other members of the research group, and with collaborating partners in addition to assisting with administrative duties. Therefore, you should have good communication and presentation skills and be a team player.
The successful candidate should have a PhD degree in Metallurgy, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field of science or engineering discipline, and should have a sound background in physical metallurgy. Research experience in processing of metallic materials, skills in casting/solidification simulation using associated modelling and numerical methods and a working knowledge of mechanical testing of metallic materials are essential. The candidate will produce HPDC nanocomposites and use microstructural characterisation and modelling techniques to assess the associated microstructures and resultant properties. The candidate will be required to conduct prototyping trials with full size HPDC casting equipment, co-supervise PhD students, prepare high quality research papers for publication in high impact peer reviewed scientific journals, present work at progress meetings, produce project deliverables and reports on time and help with project administration. It is therefore essential that the candidate has good communication and presentation skills and is a team player.
Candidates from outside the UK and those who have not received their education in English-speaking countries are required to pass an IELTS test to be eligible for a visa.
Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Brian McKay (brian.mckay@brunel.ac.uk).
Documents: Job Description
The application deadline for this position is 23 December 2020.