Prof Oana Ghita - Openpositions- | Engineering

Prof Oana Ghita

Open Positions

Funded PhD studentship opportunities open to Material Science, Mechanical Engineering and Physics graduates

Be part of a great team within the Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing (CALM) at Exeter.

PhD studentship with Victrex

An exciting PhD studentship opportunity as part of the large industrial partnership between CALM and Victrex focused on delivery of the next generation of Poly Aryl Ether Ketone (PAEK) grades for Additive Manufacturing. Therefore, it will take advantage of the project developments so far in terms of knowledge in crystallisation kinetics and models for AM. It will also have access to the state-of-the-art equipment for testing, manufacturing and analysis.

The position is open to Material Science, Mechanical Engineering and Physics graduates.

For eligible students, the studentship will cover UK tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £ 15,692 for 3.5 years full-time study. The student will be based in the Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing (CALM) in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy at the Streatham Campus in Exeter but will involve visits, meetings and time spent at Victrex, as required by the project.

The project is looking to understand the crystallisation kinetics of new developmental PAEK grades and blends in relation to various additive manufacturing processes. Dynamic and isothermal crystallisation models, kinetic parameters will be statistically modelled and correlations developed to allow prediction of behaviour and performance of new PAEK grades and reduce the need for experimental testing in process. As many of the AM processes are a combination of dynamic and isothermal events, the PhD will also attempt to develop new, bespoke models replicating the unique temperature profile of the AM processes.

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, in the area of material science or mechanical engineering. If English is not your first language you will need to meet the required level (Profile A) as per our guidance at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research/apply/english/

Get in touch if interested, any queries contact the main supervisor Prof Oana Ghita (o.ghita@exeter.ac.uk).

You can read more aboiut Victrex at https://www.victrex.com/en/

PhD studentship with Bond3D

We are inviting applications for a PhD studentship fully-funded by Bond3D and the University of Exeter to commence on 9 January 2023. The student will be based in the Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing, Throughout her/his PhD, the successful candidate is expected to spend time at Bond 3D. Bond 3D High Performance 3D technologies BV which operates out of Enschede, the Netherlands since 2014, working at the forefront of industrial 3D printing using a patented technology.

This project is looking to understand the melt rheology and viscoelastic behaviour of 450PEEK within the printing process specific to the novel and patented BOND 3D system. The study will focus on mapping the rheologic behaviour of the material at different stages throughout the process considering the continuous changes in shear rates, temperature and cooling rates. The PhD will be looking to set up experiments to validate the CFD models and match these tests, where possible, with the process parameters to understand the relationship with the mechanical performance and dimensional accuracy/surface topology.

For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £16,062 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study.

Get in touch if interested, any queries contact the main supervisor Prof Oana Ghita (o.ghita@exeter.ac.uk).

You can read more about Bond3D at https://www.bond3d.com/

Lectureship with initial Research Fellowship in Materials Modelling and Simulation (Education and Research) (Proleptic)