PhD Studentship in Untrasonic Melt Processing: cavitation mechanisms in liquid metals and validation of computer modelling

“PhD Studentship in Ultrasonic Melt Processing”

The Faculty of Technology Design and Environment at Oxford Brookes University is seeking a highly motivated candidate from an Engineering or Materials disciplinary background who has strong experimental skills (or would be able and willing to develop them) to undertake a PhD within the EPSRC research project “Upscaling Environment Friendly Cavitation Melt Treatment (UltraMelt2)”.

Brief Project Description
The successful candidate will join a collaborative team working on the application of ultrasonic melt processing to Al alloys. He/She will be specifically responsible for advanced studies of cavitation mechanisms in liquid metals and validation of computer modelling, with further participation in pilot-scale technology development. The project will be performed in collaboration with Brunel University London (UK), University of Greenwich (UK), and Anton Paar Ltd (Switzerland). The successful candidate will collaborate with researchers in participating institutions and interact with other researchers and engineers in Oxford Brookes University. Regular visits to partners’ locations will be required.

The essential selection criteria include:
• At least an upper second class degree (preferably MSc) in an Engineering or Materials discipline.
• Suitable experience in studies (experimental, theoretical or both), e.g. in Materials Sciences, Physics, Materials Processing, Fluid Mechanics or Cavitation Bubble Dynamics.
• Excellent study record.
• Experience of processing, analysing and manipulating large amounts of technical data.
• Capability to work independently and as part of a team and learn new things quickly (you are a problem solver).
• Excellent written and oral communication and organisational skills. Proficiency in written English is required (for non UK-graduated citizens – an IELTS certificate with sufficient points is required).
• A real passion and commitment for research.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:
• Undertaking independent research in ultrasonic melt treatment and advanced studies of cavitation mechanisms in liquid metals.
• Performing advanced characterisation of Al-based intermetallic mechanical properties at elevated temperatures using a unique high temperature nano-indenter.
• Measure ultrasonic fields using advanced calibrated high temperature cavitometers. Expert knowledge of data acquisition systems for hydrophone time-series is desirable.
• Validation of the developed numerical models.
• Collaboration with and support of industrial and academic partners; presentation of research findings to groups of people (industrial meetings and academic conferences).
• Preparation of high impact papers for publication.

Application Process:
If you would like to apply for this position, you should request an application pack from the Research Support Office, [Email Address Removed], quoting “PhD Studentship in Ultrasonic Melt Processing”.

Fully completed applications must be sent to [Email Address Removed], by 17.00 on Wednesday, 31 January 2018. As part of the application process you will be required to upload a cover letter with a brief statement of research interests (describing how past experience and future plans fit with the advertised position), CV and the details of two referees.

Information:
For all informal requests about the project and this post, please contact Dr Iakovos Tzanakis ([Email Address Removed])