EPSRC Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Additive Manufacturing of Metallic Alloys

Full Time, Fixed Term - Researcher

We seek to appoint a researcher who will be responsible for cavitation erosion and fatigue testing of newly developed aluminium alloys for Additive Manufacturing processes. Applications from highly qualified, strongly motivated individuals are invited for a position of Postdoctoral Research Assistant in the project “Performance-driven design of Aluminium alloys for high-accuracy Additive Manufacturing” (PAAM) in the department of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (ECM) at Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, U.K. The position, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The position is a 12-month fixed-term role starting as soon as possible

The project aims to revolutionize how products are designed and manufactured by developing new bespoke and tailored for Additive Manufacturing (AM) aluminium alloys. This project adopts a three-fold strategy: creating hierarchically structured aluminium-based alloys with fine-tuned compositions, testing their performance upon AM, and validating the approach by manufacturing AM test parts. You will be in charge of this last part performing cavitation erosion and fatigue testing of the as cast and AM test parts, take acoustic pressure measurements and perform in-situ high speed imaging to study failure mechanisms complemented by microstructural characterisation and analysis. Experiments will be performed in collaboration with Brunel University of London and University College London (UCL) as well with a number of companies involved in this project. Ultimately, the goal of this project is to deliver a new class of high-quality AM materials with lightweight, uniform structure and properties, high rigidity, thermal stability, and designed functionality. The proposed research is expected to lead to high quality publications and impact in the manufacturing sector.

You will join a vibrant, supportive and collaborative research team at Oxford Brookes working on the applications of ultrasonic processing and materials characterisation. You will be specifically responsible for the testing, characterisation and critical evaluation of the as cast and prototype AM test pieces. Hence a significant expertise and experience in using characterisation and testing facilities such as microscopy, SEM, cavitation erosion and fatigue testing, micro/nano-indentation etc. is required. In addition, handling and processing of large data sets, knowledge of data acquisition systems, signal and image processing as well as experience in measuring acoustic pressures in cavitating liquids and high-speed filming is highly-desirable. This is a team project so the successful candidate will collaborate with researchers in participating institutions (Brunel University of London and UCL) and interact with other researchers and engineers at Oxford Brookes University. Regular visits to partners' locations may be required.

You should have a PhD degree or equivalent in materials science and engineering, physics, chemistry or another related scientific or engineering discipline, and should have a strong background in experimental research. In addition, you should have excellent leadership, good communication skills and proficiency in written and spoken English, a strong track record in disseminating research outputs, and the ability to work as part of a team.

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