BCAST PhD Studentship in Physical Science at the Brunel University London, UK

BCAST PhD Studentship in Physical Science at the Brunel University London, UK is now open for UK, EU, and international students. The programme aims to rationalise alloy grades and specifications of aluminium alloys to facilitate full metal circulation. The deadline for the scholarship is March 31, 2021. The

Summary

Project Description

Supervisor – Professor Dmitry Eskin

One of the adverse consequences of excessive use of metallic materials is that there are currently thousands of grades of metallic materials in commercial use today. Many of them differ only slightly in composition, processing conditions, or origin of production, offering essentially the same performance. Unnecessary alloying elements and excessively tight alloy specifications increase production costs, reduce resource productivities, cause more environmental damage, and make the end-of-life products difficult (if not impossible) to recycle.

This is not compatible with Circular Economy principles. Recycling can be improved significantly with materials rationalised and products engineered from the start for this purpose. For instance, the current over 400 grades of Al-alloys (IAA) can be reduced to 10-15 without compromising engineering applications. The project contributes to slowing the resource loop by design for standardisation and compatibility. 

The specific research activities may include (1) simplification of alloy systems based on their compositions, thermomechanical history, levels of performance, and fields of application; (2) standardisation of alloy compositions by using commonly available alloying elements and avoiding the recyclability-limiting elements; (3) optimisation of thermomechanical treatment procedures for high performance; and (4) development of new alloy specifications.

You will be interacting daily with researchers and academics in BCAST, Brunel University London, and partner academic and industrials organisations. In this close collaboration lies the foundation for your promising career path.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is March 31, 2021 

Eligibility

• This scholarship is available for Home students, e.g., UK nationals or UK residents with indefinite leave to remain/settled status who resided in the UK for more than three years.
• International applications are welcome only when the applicant can support (self-fund) the international tuition fees.
• Note that applications from ineligible candidates will not be considered or responded to.
• You should have or expect to receive by the beginning of this PhD study a first degree (BSc) at 2:1 or above in a suitable engineering and science discipline, e.g., materials science, mechanical engineering, physics, or applied mathematics. An MSc level qualification is desirable.
• A strong background in materials science or applied mathematics is desirable as it includes mathematical modelling and optimisation.

Award Information

The funded studentship is £88,918 for up to 4 years duration

Application Process

Please email the following to dmitry.eskin@brunel.ac.uk  AND cedps-pgr-office@brunel.ac.uk by March 31, 2021:

• Your up-to-date CV
• Your single A4 statement on why you would like to do this project and why you believe you qualify to do so
• Copies of your degree(s) certificates(s) and transcripts
• Names and contact info of three academic referees

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