PhD Studentship: Capturing real-world variability in testing of (high performance) bicycle hardware

The project:

 For more than a decade, the University of Bristol has been at the cutting edge of bicycle driveline testing technology. We have partnered with Team GB for the last three summer Olympic and Paralympic games cycles where the cycling team have seen unparalleled success on the track. We are pleased to be able to offer a PhD opportunity working alongside Team GB cycling and Shell to understand and characterise the real-world variability of conditions for chain drives in high performance sport. Improving the emulation of race conditions improves the optimisation of components for riders and competitions.

The University of Bristol seeks an aspiring researcher with an engineering, physical sciences or mathematical background and an aptitude for practical implementation of cutting edge solutions. The successful applicant will work with mechatronic systems, including high accuracy test machinery and will be expected to develop confidence with the design and implementation of new experimental hardware and data handling toolchains. The research will also involve modelling, analysis and characterisation of the system and components.

The PhD will include a placement of minimum 3 months with Team GB’s technical partner and sponsor, Shell Lubricants.

The long-term aim of the consortium’s  research is to bring laboratory conditions closer to the real world than they currently are, and to advance our understanding of how the physical phenomena vary in the field. Depending on the particular expertise and interests of the successful candidate, the project could focus more heavily on modelling and load emulation, surface tribology and lubricants, contact mechanics or dynamical phenomena.

This is an opportunity to work within a world-class multidisciplinary team within the Engineering Systems Design and Innovation group, British Cycling and their technical partners including Shell Lubricants.

For informal enquiries relating to this PhD, please contact: Dr. Robert Wragge-Morley r.t.wragge-morley@bristol.ac.uk or Prof. Ben Hicks ben.hicks@bristol.ac.uk

How to apply:

Prior to submitting an online application, you will need to contact the project supervisor to discuss.

Online applications are made at http://www.bris.ac.uk/pg-howtoapply. Please select Mechanical Engineering on the Programme Choice page. You will be prompted to enter details of the studentship in the Funding and Research Details sections of the form.

Candidate requirements: 

Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of a merit at master’s degree level (or international equivalent) in a science, mathematics or engineering discipline. Applicants without a master's qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a first-class undergraduate degree. Please note, acceptance will also depend on evidence of readiness to pursue a research degree.

If English is not your first language, you need to meet this profile level: Profile E
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Funding:

Stipend Basic UKRI Rate plus top up of £4220.00 Per annum

Contacts:

For questions about the research topic, please contact "Ben Hicks" Ben.Hicks@bristol.ac.uk  or Robert Wragge-Morley r.t.wragge-morley@bristol.ac.uk

For questions about eligibility and the application process please contact Engineering Postgraduate Research Admissions admissions-engpgr@bristol.ac.uk

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