Research Associate

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 26 months.

The James Watt School of Engineering is looking for a Research Associate to make a leading contribution to a project ‘Induction Melt Incremental Thermoforming of Advanced Thermoplastic Composites’ working with Dr. Philip Harrison, Dr. Euan McGookin and Dr. Daniel Mulvihill in the James Watt School of Engineering.

Typically, to achieve optimum mechanical properties in composites structures, placement of fibres in multiple directions is required to accommodate complex loading conditions. However, despite the development of sheet forming processes for advanced composites dating back over 30 years, questions regarding production defects have yet to be satisfactorily answered, namely: 'How to form complex components from pre-consolidated multi-axial thermoplastic laminates without inducing wrinkles?' and 'How to form highly complex geometries involving multiple recesses, without bridging or tearing of the forming laminate?'.

The main idea of the project is to develop a novel sheet forming process for advanced thermoplastic composites designed to mitigate manufacturing defects when thermoforming multi-axial laminates into complex geometries. This will be achieved through the creation of wrinkle-resistant 'lubricated-blanks' using a combination of induction heating and a novel incremental forming process.

The successful candidate will design and develop a novel, robotically controlled thermoforming setup incorporating induction heating technology. They will then conduct forming experiments using the setup, perform microCT and mechanical testing of the thermoformed parts and model the process using commercial finite element software.

For informal enquiries or further information about the project, please contact Dr. Philip Harrison (Philip.Harrison@glasgow.ac.uk)

For more information on the University of Glasgow’s, James Watt School of Engineering, please visit www.gla.ac.uk/schools/engineering

For more information and to apply online: my.corehr.com/pls/uogrecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobspec?p_id=150010

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We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equality.

The University of Glasgow, charity number SC004401.

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