PhD Studentship in AI Driven Design for Forming

About the project:

Applications are invited for an exciting fully-funded PhD research project in the interdisciplinary field of artificial intelligence (AI) powered manufacturing and structural design for lightweight vehicles leading to the award of a PhD degree. This studentship is funded by an EPSRC iCASE award and industrial partner Tata Steel UK.

The vision of the project is to pioneer fundamental AI methodologies to empower the creation of steel-based high-performance, manufacturable parts by holistically optimising vehicle part geometries, process settings, as well as material conditions. The aim is to lead the development of the world’s first AI-driven platform that empowers the creation of high-performance, manufacturable vehicle parts, tailored to Tata Steel UK’s products. You will join us for achieving this aim through the development of fundamental applied AI methodologies. This novel interdisciplinary project could increase effectiveness of today’s components forming simulations. The AI methodology will provide a more advanced approach for constructing AI based forming feasible deep-drawn components as well as optimising the forming strains in crash sensitive parts of a vehicle to achieve weight reduction, which could help designers choose the right geometries for blanks and tooling, the right material and gauge for vehicle components, and therefore help reduce weight, cost, and CO2, addressing real-world sustainability needs.

The project will be supervised by Dr Nan Li at Imperial College London and an industrial expert, Mr. Andrew Ruthven, at Tata Steel UK. During the project, the PhD student will have the opportunity to visit Tata Steel UK’s premises, and to disseminate the work at international conferences and industrial events

Academic criteria:

Applicants must be in receipt of, or are due to receive, a first class or equivalent in an undergraduate or integrated Masters degree, in Engineering, Physics, Computing or any other relevant STEM subjects; or if a first class or equivalent has not been achieved, applicants must be in receipt of (or where this has yet to be received, be able to provide evidence of high performance that will lead to) a distinction in a standalone Master’s qualification. (A high 2:1 degree is acceptable if the applicant can demonstrate significant industrial or research experience and output.)

We also expect applicants to have a demonstrable interest in innovation and interdisciplinary and translational research. In addition, good communication, team-working, and management skills are also important.

Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Nan Li (nan.li@imperial.ac.uk). Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form, following the standard Imperial College application procedure; more information can be found here. For queries regarding the application process, please contact n.moult@imperial.ac.uk.

Funding Notes

The funding includes full tuition fees and a monthly stipend set at the UKRI rate plus industrial top-ups for 4 years.

Closing date:

The advert will be kept up until the post is filled.

About Imperial College London

Imperial College London is the UK’s only university focussed entirely on science, engineering, medicine and business and we are consistently rated in the top 10 universities in the world.

Committed to equality and valuing diversity.

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