Experimental methods for meeting the development needs of next generation road vehicles

The Powertrain and Vehicle Engineering Research Centre has an exciting PhD opportunity to join their multidisciplinary team. You will be joining a team of around 50 people undertaking research on many aspects of engine and powertrain design.

The automotive industry is facing its biggest change in emissions legislation in decades. Manufacturers will no longer only have to demonstrate that their vehicles are compliant over predetermined cycles, but will also need to comply over a much broader on-road conditions. In addition, the complexity of powertrains through hybridisation means there are now many engineering systems operating together that need to be optimised for these very broad operating conditions. This PhD will focus on creating new methodologies both experimental and in simulation to solve this problem but also on their applicability to Hybrid and electric vehicles.

The research will take place on the recently upgraded Chassis Dynamometer facility at Bath. This world leading facility has been designed to replicate on-road conditions and your role will be to determine how best to use such a facility. You will be creating novel test methodologies that capture the diversity of on-road driving within practical laboratory tests. You will then need to create new measurement configurations and algorithms, including component and system modelling, to ensure the highest level of precision is achieved over these new test methods. The research is sponsored by our industry partner and you will be expected to work closely with them throughout the PhD.
The PhD would suite a candidate with a Bachelors or Masters degree in Mechanical or Automotive engineering. The PhD will develop in particular your technical skills in full vehicle systems, measurement principles and techniques, system identification theory and statistical principles. As a PhD student at the University of Bath you would benefit from interdisciplinary skills training and peer support network. You will also be working in collaboration with Industry.

Candidates will need to be UK/EU fee status.

Interested and eligible applicants should apply as soon as possible via the University’s online application system as the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found. Please contact Richard Burke ([Email Address Removed]) or Ed Chappell ([Email Address Removed]) for further information.