In-situ monitoring for rapid AM part qualification

This project is an exciting opportunity to undertake industrially linked research in partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). It is based within the Healthcare Technologies Institute (HTI)’s Centre for Custom Medical Devices (CMD) in the School of Chemical Engineering. The Centre brings together multidisciplinary expertise to explore the full potential of additive manufacturing in the medical devices sector – creating a new generation of innovations that will enhance patients’ quality of life.

This is 3-year fully funded studentship and is only open to UK home students. The successful applicant will receive a generous tax-free annual stipend of £25,000 plus payment of their full-time home tuition fees. Additionally, £2,000 per annum is provided for consumables, travel, etc. Due to funding restrictions this PhD position is only available to UK nationals. As this position is sponsored by the MTC, any successful candidate would need to pass the sponsors own security checks prior to the commencement of the PhD.

The PhD Project

As Additive manufacturing is maturing there is a need to undergo validation, qualification and certification to allow parts to be used in critical applications in the medical, automotive and aerospace industries. In-situ monitoring techniques have the capability to identify and correct issues during the build process as well as reduce the need for ex-situ inspection, thereby reducing final part cost, waste and lead-time. This work would explore material calibration for in-situ monitoring activities, conduct comparison of a range of available in-situ monitoring techniques and determination of build-to-build variability via in-situ monitoring to facilitate accelerated qualification of Ti-6Al-4V components for biomedical applications.

Who we are looking for

• A first or upper-second-class degree in an appropriate discipline such as, materials science and engineering, physics or mechanical engineering

• A driven individual with an inquisitive mind.

• Ability to produce high-quality presentations and written reports.

The MTC is an independent Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) aimed at de-risking and accelerating the adoption of disruptive technologies within the UK manufacturing sphere. Supported by the UK government, the MTC works closely with industrial partners and other research organisations to deliver world leading innovation across all levels of the UK’s industrial landscape, from SMEs and start-ups to OEMs and large-scale global manufacturers. For more information please visit the MTC website.

As a researcher at Birmingham, you will benefit from working in an environment in which excellence and innovation are made possible by brilliant people, outstanding facilities and strong collaborative networks. You will be joining a global top 100 university tackling some of the biggest issues the world faces, making a difference to people's lives on a daily basis. Within this nurturing academic community, you will be able to contribute to shaping and changing lives. The University Graduate School supports Birmingham’s postgraduate researcher (PGR) and postgraduate taught (PGT) community. We foster an interdisciplinary community and act as a gateway to support and advice to ensure that our postgraduates have access to a high quality postgraduate experience.

Contact

Informal inquiries, with a detailed CV and academic transcripts, should be sent to Dr. Sophie Cox at s.c.cox@bham.ac.uk.

Proposed PhD Start Date: 1st October 2025.