Post/s of Full-Time Research Support Officer I or Research Support Assistant - Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering

21 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Malta

Department

Office for Human Resources Management & Development

Research Field

Engineering » Materials engineering
Engineering » Mechanical engineering
Engineering » Industrial engineering

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Malta

Application Deadline

1 Apr 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Malta)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (Call ID: 33/2024)

Post/s of Full-Time Research Support Officer I or Research Support Assistant

Project – “Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing of Magnesium for Satellites (WAAMMS)”

Funded by: The Malta Council for Science and Technology through the Space Upstream Programme 2023

And any other projects undertaken by the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering.

 

Applications are invited for aResearch Support Officer (RSO) or Research Support Assistant (RSA) to carry out duties in relation to the WAAMMS project funded by the Malta Council for Science and Technology through the Space Upstream Programme 2023 and in which the University of Malta is the lead partner. The selected candidate may also be required to work on other projects undertaken by the Department of Metallurgy and Materials within the Faculty of Engineering.

 

Applicants should be in possession of a first degree in Engineering (Mechanical), Materials’ Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a closely related discipline with a classification of 1st or 2nd Class.  Candidates with expertise in the use of 3D CAD design software, additive manufacturing, finite element analysis, and surface coating/treatments will be considered an asset. Furthermore, applicants who are final year students reading for their first degree in Mechanical or Materials Engineering and are willing to enrol for a full-time MSc or PhD degree with the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Malta in this research area will also be considered. In this case, if successful, the appointee will be initially employed as an RSA. Upon attainment of the degree, his/her title will be changed to that of RSO I.

 

The applicants should be self-motivated and have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, be able to organise and prioritise tasks within the project timeline to meet interim deadlines and possess good written communication skills and academic writing skills.  

 

The University of Malta is an Equal Opportunity employer. 

 

The selected candidate must be living in Malta for the period of employment.

 

The post is for a period up to 30th May 2025.

 

The initial remuneration per annum (inclusive of any cost-of-living adjustment) shall be €17,348 (RSA) or €25,709 (RSO I).

 

The successful candidate shall be required to enrol in a Master’s degree related to the Project under the supervision of Professor Inġ. Glenn Cassar as main supervisor with the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Malta.

 

Candidates must upload their covering letter, curriculum vitae, and certificates (certificates should be submitted in English) and contact details of at least two referees through this formhttps://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/workatum-projects by not later than Monday, 1st April 2024. 

 

Late applications will not be considered.

 

Further information may be obtained from http://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/recruitment and should you have any queries, please send us an email on [email protected] .

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

 

Further Information

 

WAAMMS is a research project funded by MCST and led by the University of Malta, which will run for a period of 18 months.  The main research aim of the WAAMMS project is to investigate the failure mechanisms of a wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) Mg-based alloy AZ80 and surface strengthening techniques compared to an established aluminium alloy (AA2024 or AA2524) as a benchmark.

 

The project will focus on determining the degree of improvement under different loading scenarios and thus establishing whether WAAM, in combination with secondary surface treatment, can offer suitable structural material solutions for challenging space applications.

 

This aim will be achieved through fulfilling the following specific objectives at TRL 3 to TRL 4:

 

Generation of AZ80 Mg alloy samples using WAAM, followed by the application of necessary surface processing (depending on surface roughness) and application of a high-conductivity PVD coating. The WAAM process will be carried out in collaboration with SMW Aerospace in Latvia.

Investigation of the bulk material characteristics of the generated specimens using techniques such as diffractometry, electron microscopy and backscatter diffraction for textural mapping.

Study the surface topography and conductivity with/without metalliccoating (e.g. Cu, Au and Ag) and following the application of shot peening.

Determine the critical mechanical loading mechanisms and assess the performance of the AM and surface treated parts subject to under idealised simulated loading scenario including tensile loading in combination with torsional, vibration or cyclic loading.

 

Relevant project background:

 

As the lightest structural alloy, magnesium alloys have become very popular investigation topics recently, possessing a desirable combination of high specific strength, good mechanical damping and electromagnetic shielding properties. These properties are of primary importance to the space sector especially when considering small satellite or spacecraft structures, due to the tight limitations on the allowable payload. In this scenario, Mg alloys can be viewed as a lighter alternative to aluminium within satellite components, having a density of ~1.7 gcm-3 i.e. about 64% of that of aluminium alloys with a density of ~2.7 gcm-3 . However, the main drawback to using Mg-based materials is that they are relatively difficult to machine due to their high flammability leading to a high ignition or explosion risk combined with their low strength which poses a technical limitation to successful application.

 

Additive manufacturing (AM) produces three-dimensional (3D) components directly from computer aided drawings (CAD) guided by the digital model through a layer-by-layer building approach. This bottom-up approach offers flexibility in processing difficult to manufacture materials such as magnesium-based alloys. AM, specifically wire arc AM (WAAM), allows for the fabrication of large-scale components as typically found in satellite applications such as the generation of antenna-shielding boxes. Secondary structural elements, e.g. supporting components may also be integrated within these boxes. Following sizing, topological optimization can be applied to reduce material used and consequently weight. Topological optimization involves the removal of unnecessary material to formulate strut-like components where the mass of material is retained only where the stresses will be transferred. The use of AM is often applied in tandem with topological optimization to harness the advantages presented by the additive approach. Such components can lead to significant weight reductions to the overall satellite generating massive launch cost savings and is therefore also in line with European and United Nations sustainability targets. Topologically optimised components, however, may be vulnerable to variation in loading from predicted design parameters and vibration (a common concern in satellite design and construction) which may lead to unexpected failure.

 

This project will focus on a WAAM Mg-based alloy, AZ80, capable of reaching relatively high strength as a base material, in conjunction with surface engineering procedures, such as physical vapour deposition and shot peening, to optimise strength (for example, resistance to vibration damage) and further improve thermal and electrical surface properties. These modifications will be applied separately and combined in duplex form and the improvements in the performance will be investigated. The mechanical performance expected during application will be investigated and compared to well established Al alloys used for such applications, such as AA2024 or AA2524.

 

Further information may be obtained by contacting Prof. Inġ. Glenn Cassar at [email protected] . The RSO / RSA may also be required to work on other projects undertaken by the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering.

 

 

Project Duties:

 

The appointee will be responsible for the execution of a number of research tasks related to WAAMMS. Such tasks may include but are not limited to:

 

a.   Experiments involving Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing including part conceptualisation and design and application of surface engineering techniques such as shot peening and/or physical vapour deposition;

b.  Characterisation of the bulk and surface of the specimens generated using non-destructive techniques;

c.   Mechanical testing of the as-built components and surface-treated conditions;

d.   Writing and publication of technical reports, research articles and articles for media; and

e.   Assisting with dissemination on various media platforms and through educational outreach activities.

 

The appointee will be expected to work at such places and during such hours as may be determined by the University authorities.

 

The selection procedure will involve:

a.   scrutiny of qualifications and experience claimed and supported by testimonials and/or certificates (copies to be included with the application);

b.  shortlisting; and

c.   an interview and / or extended interview.

 

The post is for a period up to 30th May 2025, which will be subject to a probationary period and to the provisions of the Statutes, Regulations and bye-Laws of the University of Malta which are now or which may hereafter be in force.

 

Office of the University,

Msida, 18th March 2024

 

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering » Materials engineering

Education Level

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Engineering » Industrial engineering

Education Level

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Engineering » Mechanical engineering

Education Level

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Specific Requirements

Live in Malta

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Malta

Country

Malta

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/workatum-projects

Contact

City

Msida

Website

http://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/recruitment

Street

University of Malta Msida MSD 2080 MALTA

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED