Dr S Smith
Applications accepted all year round
About the Project
The automotive sector is constantly striving for improved structural performance and functionality of vehicle bodies, while driving down the weight of the structure. Light weight structures offer significant advantages in achieving ever more stringent fuel economy and emissions targets. Present and future automotive structures will contain an increasing volume of "new" materials including; high strength steels, new steel coatings, aluminium (sheet, extrusions and castings), magnesium, stainless steels, polymers and composites. New and often unfamiliar joining technologies are required to enable car production using these materials.
Many new joining technologies are becoming available for joining multi material vehicle structures. Each of these technologies has its own particular set of advantages and disadvantages, and there is no one technology able to offer a complete joining solution for all the materials found in future vehicle body structures.
- The aim of this PhD is to assess and bench mark all dissimilar materials joining technologies (including novel new developments) against the requirements of a modern car production facility.
- The project will go on to further develop the most promising technologies to increase the scope of materials that can be joined, and to improve the performance of the joints that are created.
Candidate Requirements
Candidates should have a relevant degree at 2.1 minimum, or an equivalent overseas degree in mechanical, Electrical/Electronics or Civil/Structural Engineering, Material Science, Metallurgy or Physics. Candidates with suitable work experience and a strong capacity in experimental work are particularly welcome to apply. Overseas applicants should also submit IELTS results (minimum 6.5) if applicable.
About NSIRC
NSIRC is a state-of-the-art postgraduate engineering facility established and managed by structural integrity specialist TWI, working closely with lead academic partner Brunel University, top UK and international universities and a number of leading industrial partners. NSIRC aims to deliver cutting edge research and highly qualified personnel to its key industrial partners.
Funding Notes
This project is funded by TWI and academic partners. The studentship will provide successful Home/EU students with a stipend of £16k/year and will cover the cost of tuition fees. Overseas applicants are welcome to apply, with total funding capped at £20-24k/year.
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