Computer Aided Design of Sustainable Aluminium Alloys for Future Lightweight and Low-emission Transport

Coventry University (CU) is inviting applications from suitably qualified graduates for a fully funded PhD studentship in the area of sustainable materials and manufacturing.

The project is in collaboration with Impression Technologies Ltd. also based in Coventry, and the successful candidate will join the Centre for Manufacturing and Materials (CMM) and work among a wider community of researchers in the Institute for Clean Growth and Future Mobility (CGFM) with over 130 research staff and 150 PhD students. The scope of the project focuses on developing new sustainable materials that preserve their mechanical properties even after recycling by being compositionally flexible, less sensitive to impurities than standard alloys and that have the capability to accept input from varying recycling sources. This can be achieved thanks to the rapid improvements in computer simulation that accelerate discovery of novel materials via high-throughput screening over a wide range of possible compositions. Our aim is to identify the limits of impurity effects on recycled alloys and provide a knowledge-based sustainable alloy design strategy. It will help industry to create a closed-loop cycle within their business reinforcing the circular economy credentials of a greener society.

Funding

This is a fully funded PhD studentship.

Bursary (£16k/year for 3.5 years) plus tuition fees (UK/International (including EU) at international rates from Sept 23).

Training and Development

The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal, and professional skills.

All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral College and Centre for Research Capability and Development, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities. 

The PGR will have access to world leading materials science equipment including FEG-SEM/EDX/Symmetry EBSD, Nano-indentation, AFM, HT-XRD, 3D Optical Microscopes, and a wide range of in-situ/ex-situ mechanical testing facilities.

Entry criteria for applicants to PhD 

·      A bachelor’s (honours) degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum classification of 2:1 and a minimum mark of 60% in the project element (or equivalent), or an equivalent award from an overseas institution.

PLUS 

·      the potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within 3.5 years

·      An adequate proficiency in English must be demonstrated by applicants whose first language is not English. The general requirement is a minimum overall IELTS Academic score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the four sections, or the TOEFL iBT test with a minimum overall score of 95 with a minimum of 21 in each of the four sections.

How to apply 

Interested applicants should send their CV and cover letter to Dr Mingwen Bai in the first instance via email: mingwen.bai@coventry.ac.uk.