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PhD Studentship: Performance based use and regulation of composite materials in the marine sector L

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
United Kingdom
Closing date
Feb 13, 2017

Job Details

PhD Studentship: Performance based use and regulation of composite materials in the marine sector Leverhulme Trust “Understanding Maritime Futures” SMMI Doctoral Scholarship Application

Fluid Structure Interactions Group

Location: Highfield Campus

Closing Date:  Monday 13 February 2017

Reference: 828917AT

Project Reference: CMEES-FSI-141

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD project in the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment at the University of Southampton. The project focuses on the adoption of composite materials in the maritime industry. The successful applicant will undertake interdisciplinary study involving aspects of materials  and structural engineering, legal regulations and performance modelling. The project will be supervised by a high calibre cross-disciplinary team, with industry and governmental support.

Composite materials outperform conventional engineering metals, as they provide a lightweight solution whilst retaining high strength and stiffness characteristics. One of the major barriers to the introduction of composites is the regulatory process adopted by the maritime industry, which is based on proving ‘equivalence’ to traditional materials, rather than on a deep understanding of the ‘performance’ of the materials for a given application.

The project aim is to develop a procedure based on performance as an alternative to current regulatory practices and demonstrate this on a range of load bearing composite structures typically used in the maritime sector. To achieve the aim a new approach to certification will be devised, based on data-rich experiments and modelling, to define performance at the element and sub-component level to enable regulators to make decisions based on performance and hence safe operation. The process will inform sustainable shipping, as well as better define the through life cost benefits of using composite materials. A key part of the project will be examining the impact of the new procedure on the legal framework that underpins current regulations.

The key goal is to inform the regulatory process in a transformative way, leading to improved regulation of composite materials, and to quantify the cost and environmental impact benefits using mathematical modelling techniques.

 

The project is funded by a Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute Maritime Futures Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Scholarship, alongside significant input from the project partners: National Composites Centre, Rogers Advanced Composites and Stevens Marine Limited. Training will be provided in composite materials, modelling techniques, operational research and maritime regulations. A variety of taught modules will also be studied, in addition to attending relevant external courses, seminars, and conferences. There will be interactions with the project partners throughout accompanied by short secondment periods.

This is a fully funded PhD at standard UK/EU fees rates with stipend. Candidates must apply via the University application procedure using: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/how-to-apply/postgraduate-applications.page. Applications are invited from candidates that either hold a first class honours degree in engineering or physics or are predicted this in 2016/17 graduation. Candidates with Masters qualification will also be considered.

Shortlisting of candidates will take place in February 2017. Interviews will be held in March 2017. The project will commence in July-October 2017.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Professor Simon Quinn, E-Mail: s.quinn@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 598549, or Professor Janice Dulieu-Barton, E-Mail: janice@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 596522.

 

Further details:

  • Job Description and Person Specification

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Global Academy Jobs works with over 250 universities worldwide to promote academic mobility and international research collaboration. Global problems need international solutions. Our jobs board and emails reach the academics and researchers who can help.

"The globalisation of higher education continues apace, driving in turn the ongoing development of the global knowledge economy, striving for solutions to the world’s problems and educating a next generation of leaders and contributors."

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