EPSRC IAA Research Fellow in Engineering Materials

Full Time Fixed Term (30/06/2025)

Interview Date: To be confirmed

In the context of advancing towards net zero emissions, additive friction stir deposition (AFSD)  has the potential to be an innovative answer as it can overcome all the challenges that currently inhibit the large-scale usage of powder-based additively manufactured Mg alloys in the aerospace, automotive and defence industries. 

You will work within a research group led by Dr Dikai Guan on the EPSRC IAA funded project. The project will aim to develop Mg alloy products as the lightest structural material for automotive, aerospace and defence industries while promoting the reduction of carbon emissions towards net zero. The funding deadline is 30/06/2025.

You will be the main contributor to the research activities for engaing with the industry partner and collaborators. You will be responsible for optimising the post-processing parameters and carrying out real-life condistion tests in the industry partners' lab.. 

You should have the relevant educational background or work experience in metals and alloys, namely: the processing of alloys; microstructure characterization using advanced electron microscopy, or micro-XCT, in/ex-situ synchrotron X-ray tomography or other related advanced techniques. You will have a good track record in carrying out independent and original scientific research, and publication of research papers. You should have the ability to work and communicate efficiently with other members of the team (supervisors, students and postdocs), and collaborators outside the University. Regular reports of research progress are required and research plans should be adjusted accordingly. Critical analysis of experimental results and problem solving skills are essential to this role. You will also be required to write research papers for publication in high impact research journals. There will be an opportunity to supervisor PhD and Master students as a secondary supervisor.  

Applicants are required to have a PhD, or equivalent professional qualifications and experience in materials science or a relevant discipline. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to the ethos in the School of Engineering. We give full consideration to applicants who wish to work flexibly including part-time and due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. The University has onsite childcare facilities and we foster a good work-life balance. We also offer a mentorship programme and the school runs a women-oriented network event on a bi-weekly basis.

The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities. We are committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university, with the principles of sustainability embedded into all aspects of our individual and collective work, in our business planning, policy-making, and professional activities.

For further information please contact Dr Dikai Guan (dikai.guan@soton.ac.uk)

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