Rolls Royce sponsored PhD scholarship – Machining of new aerospace materials - (ENG - 1315X1)

Applications are invited to undertake a 3 year PhD programme in partnership with industry to address key challenges in manufacturing engineering. The successful candidate will be based at the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) in Manufacturing Technology and On-Wing Technology at The University of Nottingham, Jubilee Campus. Having state-of-the-art facilities the Rolls-Royce UTC at University of Nottingham offers a world-class environment for carrying out high impact research projects.
The Rolls-Royce funded studentship is the result of the expanding machining activities sponsored by the Rolls-Royce UTC dealing with in-depth investigations of the response of “exotic” aerospace materials to various machining operations in the scope of robust manufacture of safety critical aero-engine components.
The project will deal with in-depth understanding of the machining operations for the new “exotic” aerospace materials, with the correlation between metallurgical aspects and machinability to efficiently support the manufacture of aerospace components. Apart from advanced machining techniques, this project will involve using a wide range of sophisticated testing and analysis methods from macro to micro scale, including scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), as well as development of innovative cutting tool solutions to address the notoriously low machinability of this group of materials.
This project will involve development of new concepts for cutting tools (manufactured in-house), machining trials, workpiece surface quality analysis (e.g. metallurgy, integrity, residual stresses), followed by investigations on innovative methods to evaluate the machinability of “exotic” aerospace materials. Internationally recognised Rolls-Royce specialists in the field will be available throughout the project to provide the PhD student with support and guidance if required.
For mutual interest the project can be offered as a "package" - this will include:
• Appropriate training within Rolls-Royce for a period to be agreed. The training will enable the understanding of the technical issues related to the project, as well as developing a good partnership with the appropriate technical teams.
• Joint academic and industrial supervision. In this way, the student will develop both academic and industrial skills with multiple career opportunities at the end of the PhD study.
• For PhD students wishing to pursue an academic career, the opportunity to participate in teaching activities will be sought.
The bursary covers the tuition fees and provides a tax-free stipend of approximately £18,000 per year for the duration of the project (3 years).
This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic first or upper second class graduate in mechanical/manufacturing/materials science/physics to build strong knowledge in both manufacturing and material science while building strong relationships with both academic and industrial areas at international level. Due to the nature of funding only UK/EU applicants can be considered for this position