Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship (3 years) - Manufacturing and engineering properties of oriented glassy polymers, University of Nottingham

Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship (3 years) - Manufacturing and engineering properties of oriented glassy polymers

Reference

ENG584

Job Type

Research & Teaching

Department

Faculty of Engineering - Division of Materials, Mechanics & Structures

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship to join the growing Polymer Engineering research group based in the Research Division of Materials, Mechanics and Structures (Faculty of Engineering) at the University of Nottingham, a global top 75 University. The student will work in a dynamic research environment and as part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers working towards a more complete understanding of the way in which polymer structure and manufacturing, or processing, influence the properties of plastic products. The research will involve interaction with polymer chemists who will provide especially synthesised materials, with polymer physicists developing the latest theories of polymer rheology, and with materials scientists based at large scale test facilities in the UK and Europe. The aim is to make manufacturing with existing polymeric materials more efficient and reliable, and to assist with the design of the next generation of polymeric products.
The student will design and carry out experiments designed to probe the role of molecular orientation on final mechanical properties of glassy polymers, assist in the development of a numerical model for the prediction of such properties, and present the research locally and at international conferences. The project will also involve interaction with and knowledge transfer to two global polymer manufacturers, who, as industry partners, have a direct interest in the research. Training in experiments, theory and research methodology will be provided, and will form an excellent basis for a career in either academic research or embedded in an industrial R&D laboratory.
Requirements of the studentship:
i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level (or international equivalent), in mechanical or materials engineering. Closely related disciplines such as applied physics with relevant background will also be considered.
ii) Students should be able to demonstrate an interest in polymer engineering, materials testing and numerical modelling, and should have excellent written and oral presentation skills. Previous experience with mechanical testing and with software tools such as Matlab and Abaqus would be beneficial.
The studentship will cover full PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,590 for the 2011-12 academic year) for UK/EU students. An additional £2000 a year may be awarded for students with a 1st class degree / MSc Distinction from a UK Russell Group University or equivalent. International students who have been ordinarily resident in the UK for 3 years prior to starting the PhD in September 2012 may also apply. The studentship is expected to start in September 2012, or as early as possible after this date.
Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to Dr Davide De Focatiis, email: davide.defocatiis@nottingham.ac.uk. To make an application, please send a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, and include a CV, an academic transcript, and the names and addresses of two academic referees, to davide.defocatiis@nottingham.ac.uk.
Please quote ref. ENG/584. The position will remain open until filled.

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