6 PhD Studentships in Mechanics and Characterisation of Next Generation EAF Recycled Steels for Forming and Welding Applications

EPSRC & Tata Steel announce 13 PhD studentships at UK universities to carry out leading research in advanced manufacturing of steels & steel products using Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Technology. This cohort of students will investigate aspects of EAF steelmaking and product development using the latest suite of characterisation equipment, processing lines and digital tools, aided by the brilliant expertise and experience of faculty at Imperial, Cambridge and Warwick, and mentored by leading researchers and technologists in Tata Steel.

Applications are invited for 6 PhD studentships at Imperial as part of this initiative, in the general area of Mechanics and Characterisation of Next Generation EAF Recycled Steels for Forming and Welding Applications, leading to the award of a PhD degree.  The posts are funded by the EPSRC and Tata Steel, supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate) for 4 years, with the opportunity for a top-up from Tata Steel for some studentships. Candidates should ordinarily have home fee status to be eligible, but exceptional overseas candidates will be considered and may be eligible for an International Doctoral Scholar award.

The studentships span 6 closely related areas, all in relation to the development of EAF Recycled Steel for Automotive and Packaging Applications:

(1) Investigation of the effects of residual elements and coatings on weldability (Dr Jun Jiang)

(2) In-situ formability, microstructure analysis and forming process optimization (Prof Li-Liang Wang)

(3) Crystal plasticity modelling to understand how microstructural features caused by residual elements affect formability (Prof Dan Balint)

(4) Effects of residual elements on mechanical and fracture properties (Prof Catrin Davies)

(5) Investigation of thermomechanical behaviour and formability of coating-free press hardening steel (Dr Zhusheng Shi)

(6) Uni-Stamp: Advancing Unified Stamping Technology and System for Next-Generation Uni-Steel-Bodied (USB) Vehicles (Prof Li-Liang Wang)

The work will involve novel experimentation, theory and computation in differing proportions depending on the project undertaken.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a first-class honours degree in mechanical engineering or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined working habits. Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential. Training will be provided according to the objectives of the project, which may include in-situ mechanical testing, metal forming techniques, investigative techniques including metallography, electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, and tomography techniques — as well as theoretical and computational techniques that may include finite element methods, crystal plasticity theory, damage theory, molecular dynamics and advanced multiscale modelling methods. Knowledge and experience in these areas are desirable.

To find out more about research at Imperial College London in this area, go to:

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/research/

For information on how to apply, go to:

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/study/phd/how-to-apply/

For further details about these posts or enquiries about suitability, please send enquiries and/or an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Julia Thomas, julia.thomas@imperial.ac.uk, who will coordinate feedback from project PIs.

Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be assessed by College Registry.

Closing date: until post filled

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