Rolls-Royce PhD Studentship in Knowledge-Based Engineering/ Knowledge-Driven Virtual Product Development

Birmingham City University - Faculty of Technology, Engineering and Environment, School of Engineering Design and Manufacturing Systems, Knowledge Based Engineering Lab.

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship to model and evaluate the technologies used within the creation of Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) or Knowledge Driven Virtual Product Development. The research will be undertaken at Rolls-Royce Groups Plc. in Derby and the School of Engineering Design, and Manufacturing Systems, Faculty of Technology, Engineering and Environment, Birmingham City University.

KBE systems aim to capture product and process information to allow businesses to model engineering processes, and then use the model to automate all or part of the process. The ultimate goal of a KBE system should be to capture the best design practices and engineering expertise into a corporate knowledge base. The current Rolls-Royce and wider international approach for designing KBE systems needs further development to incorporate new and revised industry best practices as well as incorporating practical experiences and lessons learned from previous and on-going projects.

The research will evaluate different technologies used within the creation of KBE or knowledge driven virtual product development software applications, against a set of technical and business criteria. The technologies cover a range of modelling and programming languages/systems and you will be involved with the development of methods that will allow the creation of a Technology Selection Tool (TST), for technologies used within Rolls-Royce Component Design Systems and the wider Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) infrastructure that optimally meet the selected criteria.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment on a PhD degree at Birmingham City University. You will have a background in a Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing or related Engineering discipline with software development experience or a software systems engineer who has an interest in virtual engineering applications.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Note: the latest start date is 1 October 2012.

Informal enquires to be sent to Professor Craig Chapman at [Email Address Removed]

How to apply: Please send your CV with a cover letter to Sue Witton at [Email Address Removed] with the subject line of “PhD Studentship in Knowledge Based Engineering”.

Closing date: 15th June 2012, however, early application is strongly encouraged.