PhD Studentship in Lubrication in an Inert Gas Environment - A New Route to Sustainability

The useful life of liquid lubricants and greases is limited by the fact that they oxidise in air. This requires regular oil change and disposal, limits the temperatures at which lubricants can be used, and greatly constrains the application of environmentally-friendly vegetable oils. Prevention of lubricant oxidation would thus make a major contribution to sustainability and the environment. Our group is developing an exciting concept to prevent lubricant oxidation via “inerting” closed lubricated systems. This concept can potentially bring significant benefit to performance of transmissions of electric vehicle, wind-turbine, industrial gearboxes and hydraulics. For more details, please see the link below:

Zhang, J., Wong, J.S.S., and Spikes, H.A., 'Lubrication in an Inert Atmosphere - a New Era in Lubricant Technology', STLE Annual Meeting, Long Beach, May 24th 2023. 

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of lubrication and tribochemistry, leading to the award of a PhD degree. The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate) provided by Shell. The studentship is for 3.5 years, starting as soon as possible and will provide full coverage of standard tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of approximately £20k. Home (based on UKRI criteria) and international candidates will be considered. 

This experimental project will study performance of lubricants in inert conditions. Using advance tribological and analytical techniques, you will answer the following research questions: (i) Do lubricants designed to work in air function effectively in the absence of oxygen and if now, why not and how can they be changed? (ii) How, if at all. do lubricants degrade in the absence of oxygen? The answers to these will then be used to formulate and apply inerted lubricants in real applications. 

The project will be hosted by The Tribology Group at Imperial College, which is a vibrant, world-leading research group with unparalleled experimental and modelling equipment facilities. You will be supervised by Dr Janet Wong and Professor Hugh Spikes. You will be expected to study at a Shell location for a minimum period of 3 months and be part of a larger community of Shell-funded researchers in the Group who are working on lubricant and electric vehicle-related projects. 

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st class honours degree or a high 2:1 degree at Master level (or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Materials, Chemistry or a related science and branch of engineering. You have an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits.  Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential. 

To find out more about research at Imperial College London in this area, go to: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/research/ 

For information on how to apply, go to: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/study/phd/how-to-apply/

For further details of the post contact Dr Janet Wong j.wong@imperial.ac.uk. Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Wong.  Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry. 

Closing date: until post filled

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