Research Fellow in Process Modelling of Additive Manufacture

School/Department School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing
Based at Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire
Hours of work 37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered
Contract type Fixed term contract
Fixed Term Period 36 Months
Salary Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £35,559 to £39,434 per annum, with potential progression up to £48,855 per annum
Apply by 05/09/2022

Role Description 

We welcome applications for this exciting post from those with relevant qualifications, skills and experience to join our team to contribute to key research projects in our Welding Engineering and Laser Processing Centre (WELPC). In particular you will focus on the newly granted I-Break project.

About the Role

The I-Break (Landing Gear Industrial Breakthroughs) project is a multidisciplinary and collaborative research programme led by Airbus and funded by Innovate UK. The overall aim of this project is to be industrially and operationally sustainable, whilst being technically and commercially competitive for landing gear manufacturing. Special priorities, including reducing time and cost to market of new developments, through life recurring cost competitiveness, programme incremental development through technology, and rate agility, will be addressed. To contribute to this goal, a mature wire-based Directed Energy Deposition Additive Manufacture (w-DEDAM) process will be developed by Cranfield University. The main focus of this post is to design and develop an efficient end-effector for the proposed w-DEDAM process based on detailed numerical process modelling and the deep understanding of the interactions between the shielding gas flow, energy input and distribution, droplet formation and transfer, as well as melt pool and bead formation. This will also involve performing validation experiments through building relevant geometries and improve the device based on the experimental findings.

About You

You will have a PhD (or close to completion) in process modelling, physics, or other related areas. You will have undertaken high quality research or technical development and have a developing track record of publishing in high quality journals.  Experience of numerical modelling using CFD and writing technical reports is also essential. With excellent verbal and written communication skills you will be highly motivated, committed, and enthusiastic in delivering high quality research, with the ability to demonstrate initiative and excellent planning and organisational skills. The ability to adapt to a wide variety of tasks and be able to cope with pressure when required to meet tight deadlines are also important skills for this post. 

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here . 

Cranfield Manufacturing and Materials is following the ambitious strategy of developing a roadmap for a Sustainable Manufacturing Sector for 2050 by applying fundamental science and thought leadership via conceiving and maturing the concepts of Smart, Clean and Green manufacturing solutions agnostically across all sectors and through all tiers of the supply chain with SMEs as well as OEMs. This is to support the national aspiration of Net Zero UK by 2050. We offer world-class and niche post-graduate level research, education, training and consultancy. We are unique in our multi-disciplinary approach by bringing together design, materials’ technology and management expertise. We link fundamental materials research with manufacturing to develop novel technologies and improve the science base of the manufacturing research. Our capabilities are unique, with a focus on simulation and modelling, and sustainability.  They also include work in composite manufacture, metallic glasses, nano-materials (graphene, coatings and sensors), low energy casting, thermal barrier coatings and Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM). 

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here. 

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are also committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role.  Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners. 

How to apply

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Dr Jialuo Ding, Principal Research Fellow in Additive Manufacture (E): [email protected]

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: [email protected] . Please quote reference number 4191.

Closing date for receipt of applications:   Monday 5 September 2022