PhD Studentship: Measurement and Simulation of Laser-Metal Interactions

This 4 years PhD project is funded by The University of Manchester and NPL. Open to UK students only - you will receive a tax free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£18,622 for 2023/24) and tuition fees will be paid. The start date is September 2024.

Metal components subject to high energy laser and directed energy beams can suffer catastrophic failure. Understanding and predicting the interactions between lasers and metallic structures is thus critical to protecting people and equipment. This has applications including defence and space.

This project will involve developing better models for laser/metal interactions that include a consideration of the structure and material surface at the micro-scale, linking this to failure at the macro-level. This will build on work at Manchester to develop such models using physics-based simulation methods. Experiments with state-of-the-art instrumentation will be used to refine the models, combined with metallurgical characterization using electron microscopy. Validation will be performed through laboratory experiments at Manchester and trials with the project partners, including full-scale field tests.

The candidate will join a vibrant research group working on related topics at Manchester as part of a Centre of Excellence for Alloys in Demanding Environments. They will be based in the Sir Henry Royce Institute at Manchester, a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility that is the national hub for material science in the UK.

The work is supported by DSTL, an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence whose goal is to maximise the impact of science and technology for the defence and security of the UK and the UK National Physical Laboratory (NPL). The project will involve working in collaboration with expert DSTL and NPL scientists, with opportunities for workplace experience both within UK MOD, NPL, and internationally. Candidates will require a degree in metallurgy, materials science, physics, or a related engineering subject. Due to the nature of the work, this opportunity is open to UK nationals only.

Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2.1 honours degree in metallurgy, materials science, physics, or a related engineering subject

Please contact Prof Robson before you apply: [email protected]