Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014). In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral College, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career.
Find out more:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/ Project detail
This is an exciting opportunity to explore advanced hybrid electric vehicle powertrain friction, lubrication and heat transfer processes. The research will involve modelling and experiments using the latest techniques and will be in collaboration with international automotive related companies. We are looking for a highly motivated graduate engineer to join our vehicle powertrain research team and conduct their PhD.
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are anticipated to dominate the automotive market beyond 2025. HEV powertrain systems have new challenges with lubricant-surface interactions in highly loaded bearing surfaces. For example, the low engine lubricant operating temperatures due to intermittent start-stop conditions leads to the impaired performance of lubricant anti-wear additives. In electric motors, the bearings undergo extreme boundary lubrication due to high torque at near zero speed and exhibit rapid temperature excursions under high power operation. The PhD project will investigate these extreme operating effects with the goal of significantly improving future HEV powertrain system designs.
Start date of studentship: 01 October 2020.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: Hybrid Vehicle Technologies, Tribology, Lubrication, and Contact Mechanics.
How to apply
All applications should be made online at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name, select Mechanical, Electrical & Manufacturing Engineering.
Please quote reference number: SAM20.
Funding Notes
Applicants who apply for this project will be considered on a competitive basis in March 2020 against candidates shortlisted for this and other projects with the advert reference beginning ‘SAM’. Early submission is advised, and a complete application must be received before the advert’s closing date.
If successful, candidates will be awarded a 3-year school studentship providing a tax-free stipend and tuition fees at the UK/EU rate (currently £15,009 and £4,327, respectively, in 2019-20 which are likely to rise by 2020/21). Non-EU-nationals may apply but the studentship will cover the cost of the international tuition fee only.
Successful candidates will be notified by 26 March 2020.
