This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic student to build knowledge in manufacturing and mechanical engineering whilst developing strong relationships with both academic and industrial areas at international levels. The Division of Manufacturing Engineering invites applications from suitably qualified mechanical/manufacturing graduates or final year students for a PhD studentship within the Rolls-Royce UTC in Manufacturing Technology (see: http://utc.nottingham.ac.uk) at The University of Nottingham (see: www.nottingham.ac.uk). This PhD project is the result of the expanding fixturing activities sponsored at the Rolls-Royce UTC. The Rolls-Royce UTC at Nottingham has access to state-of-the-art facilities to perform internationally leading research in manufacturing science and engineering. This includes excellent machine tools, diagnosis and monitoring systems, simulation and modelling packages, metrological and metallurgical investigation facilities to support top quality research projects.
The studentship is available in the following research area: design and performance modelling of innovative fixturing systems for the manufacture of aero-engine components. The project will deal with development of innovative fixturing systems to support the manufacture of complex geometry aero-engine components at high geometrical and surface integrity quality requirements. To ensure this, novel concepts of fixtures will be developed per family of components; in this way the developed fixture designs can be utilised across a wide range applications. The novel fixture designs will be supported by in-depth analysis of their behaviour under mechanical/thermal loading; this will be addressed by appropriate modelling (e.g. finite element). Furthermore, the project will demonstrate the fixturing designs by developing testing rigs to validate the fixturing concepts and models for real world manufacturing environment. In this way, the project will have an integrated approach to the problem: concept – design – modelling – validation in manufacturing. This is an exciting PhD project that has a unique combination of academic and industrial challenges which will enhance the student’s ability to tackle complex intellectual and practical aspects of mechanical and manufacturing engineering.
For mutual interest the project can be offered as a "package" - this will include:
- Appropriate training within Rolls-Royce for a period to be agreed. The training will enable the understanding of the technical issues related to the project, as well as developing a good partnership with the appropriate technical teams.
- Joint academic and industrial supervision. The student will develop both academic and industrial skills with multiple career opportunities at the end of the PhD study.
- For PhD students wishing to pursue an academic career, the opportunity to participate in teaching activities will be sought.
Students must have a first or upper second class academic qualification in mechanical/manufacturing engineering or in a related discipline; undergraduate students completing their studies in July 2010 are eligible. Due to the nature of funding only UK/EU applicants will be considered for this position.
This EPSRC CASE studentship will be based at Rolls-Royce UTC at The University of Nottingham for a period of 3½ years starting from 1 October 2010, and will include a bursary which covers the full tuition fees and provides a tax-free stipend of £14,000 per annum for the duration of the studentship.
Applications, with a detailed CV and the names and addresses of two referees should be sent to: Dr D Axinte, Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD. Email: Dragos.Axinte@Nottingham.ac.uk.
Please quote ref: ENG/401.
Closing date: 31 July 2010.
For all our vacancies and more about working at the University of Nottingham see: http://jobs.nottingham.ac.uk/.
