PhD Research Studentships

Two Industry Funded PhD Opportunities working on Advanced Elastomer Materials (the first with a Formula 1 Manufacturer, the second with a Global Tyre Company)

Supervisor: James BUSFIELD
Apply by:18 October 2024
Start in:January (Semester 2)

Description

The successful candidates must have an interest in the design and behaviour of high-performance tyres. The two industrial partners are a Formula 1 manufacturer (based in the UK) and a leading global tyre manufacturer (based in Germany). Both projects are fully sponsored by the industry partners, with whom you will visit regularly as part of the project. This will enable you to become fully embedded in the sponsors research culture. An interest in elastomer composites and the detailed relationships between the microstructure and the resulting tyre properties such as the friction generation, abrasion resistance and the rolling resistance are desirable and will be explored as part of the candidate selection process.

  • Available to either UK or EU nationals
  • Both studentships are fully funded to include your tuition fees and they include a 3.5 year stipend (set at £21,237 for 2024/25).

Projects

Both projects are to be undertaken in the world leading Soft Matter Group at QMUL under the supervision of Prof James Busfield. This is the largest such research group in the UK university sector. The two projects include:

  • Optimised F1 tyre performance through improved friction models. This project will combine both experimental measurements of the evolution of the friction behaviour in service as well attempt to model this change in behaviour as a function of changes in temperature, pressure, sliding velocity and over time.
  • Unravelling the role of carbon black surface modification on tyre performance. This project will examine new approaches that can be used to tailor the surface chemistry of the carbon black filler found in tyre compounds. This can then result in changes to the polymer filler interaction and the extent of the reinforcement of the tyre materials.

Informal enquiries about these positions can be made to Prof James Busfield (j.busfield@qmul.ac.uk) before the deadline.

Funding

Funded by: SEMS

Eligibility

  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
  • If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of minimum score of 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking).
  • Candidates are expected to start in January (Semester 2).

Contact

For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact James BUSFIELD.

Apply

Start an application for this studentship and for entry onto the PhD Materials Science full-time programme (Semester 2 / January start):

Apply Now »

Please be sure to quote the reference "SEMS-PHD-601" to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.

Related website:https://www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/staff/j.busfield/research/
Keywords:Automotive Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanics, Nanotechnology, Solid Mechanics, Polymers, Experimental Physics