PhD: Machining of advanced materials.

Applications are accepted for a PhD project in the area of Machining of Advanced Materials (titanium alloys, nickel based superalloys, composite materials and nuclear materials). This includes both conventional (turning, milling drilling, grinding), non-conventional (EDM, ECM) machining processes.


It is likely that the research activities will involve industrial collaboration and relevance.

The Machining Research Group within the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham has one of the best machining research laboratories in any UK university with industrial scale, state-of-the-art machine tools and analysis equipment. Research covers a wide range of traditional (turning, high speed milling, creep feed grinding, drilling etc.) and non-conventional (electrical discharge machining, ultrasonic machining etc.) cutting processes focusing on understanding the influence of operating conditions (cutting speed, feed rate, environment, tool materials, coatings, discharge energy etc.) on aspects such as workpiece surface integrity factors (e.g. surface roughness, microhardness, microstructure alterations, residual stresses, fatigue performance), productivity or feature dimensional accuracy, with subsequent implications on part/system properties and functionality. Other research themes include process modelling and simulation (primarily involving finite element methods to develop predictive capability) as well as innovative process development. We have strong collaborative research links with industry.

Funding Notes

Applicants must hold a first class honours or 2:1 degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related subject and be available to commence within 3 months of appointment. Typically a 3-year studentship will cover full academic tuition fees and provide the researcher a maintenance stipend of £14,400 per annum (tax-free). Due to the nature of funding, candidates must be eligible to qualify for Home (UK) or EU student rates of fees. Applications from candidates who do not meet this requirement may be considered depending on the availability of funding.