New Scientist Study

Wear Modelling and Validation of Vacuum Wear Coatings (DLC, CrN) – sponsored by Rolls-Royce * UK APPLICANTS ONLY *

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:19:55 +0100

Vacuum coating technology is delivering a range of exciting new materials to the engineering community with good tribological properties, using processing technology that is environmentally friendly and readily automated. Rolls-Royce has been developing the capability readiness of these materials and this requires a better definition of the mechanisms of friction and wear development. Of particular interest is the development of transfer layers and low friction in carbon-based coating systems and their stability over a range of temperatures. An assessment of the relative benefits of different formulations for water based environments is required. It is envisaged that this wear study will form the basis of a PhD investigation over a 3-year period. It is the intention to fund the major part of the work this year, leaving some follow-on spend to cover wear testing in the 2nd and perhaps 3rd year. The structure of this work should include:

• A preliminary review of current wear materials and vacuum technology capability in the UK.
• A particular focus on Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) materials and their manufacture.
• Characterisation of the tribosystem that operates with vacuum coatings such as DLC and development of transfer layers and evolution of friction behaviour.
• Development of algorithms to define and predict wear performance (perhaps an Archard-based analysis).
• Laboratory wear testing to validate the model.

It is anticipated that Rolls-Royce will be involved in the assessment of suitable candidates for the work, together with nCATS staff. Progress reviews will be held between Rolls-Royce and nCATS, initially each month until maturity in the work allows quarterly or perhaps 6-monthly assessment, by agreement between Rolls-Royce and nCATS.

The School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Southampton has an international reputation for research excellence. In the 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise, the School (in collaboration with the Institute of Sound & Vibration Research) ranked second in the total number of Unit 28 academics whose research was deemed world leading or internationally excellent.

The School is a diverse community which is committed to creating an inclusive working and learning environment in which all individuals are equally treated and valued, and can achieve their potential. The School considers all studentship applications in relation to academic criteria and regardless of the individual's race, nationality, gender, or belief.

Entry requirements: Candidates will have a first class or upper second class degree (or its equivalent) in relevant disciplines, e.g. applied mathematics, physics, mechanical engineering

The successful candidate will work with a group of highly motivated, first class research students in the areas of tribology, condition monitoring, surface engineering, corrosion, microfluidics and electrochemical sensing. The Centre has a recently refurbished state-of-the-art laboratory with currently 8 academics, 8 post-doctoral researchers and 14 PhD researchers supported by a lab technician.

The studentship fully covers University tuition fees (at EU/UK level**) and provides a tax-free bursary of £13,290 per year, rising annually (each October) in line with the UK Government (EPSRC) recommended rate, for a 3-year duration. **EU/UK fees £3390 p.a. (figures subject to annual increase in October). It also includes a budget for project-related travel and subsistence of £ 5,000 over 3 years and a Rolls-Royce top-up of £5,000 per year, as well as a generous allowance to cover additional work (e.g. wear testing and laboratory support).

The Identification of More Sustainable Technology Solutions for the Oil Refining Industry

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:04:21 +0100

The University of Surrey hosts a prestigious EPSRC-funded Industrial Doctorate Centre offering an EngD in Sustainability for Engineering and Energy Systems (see www.surrey.ac.uk/engd/sees). The EngD is awarded for doctoral research carried out within a framework of relevant industrial experience and professional development courses. The four-year programme provides at least the intellectual challenge of a PhD and EngD Research Engineers (REs) will normally spend approximately three-quarters of their time based with their sponsor.

A studentship is available with Chevron, one of the world’s largest integrated energy companies. The oil refining industry is facing significant sustainable development challenges. This research project aims to address some of these challenges, particularly with respect to identifying and implementing more sustainable technology solutions for the industry. Chevron’s Pembroke Refinery, a 210,000 barrel per day refinery employing a workforce of 1200 people, will be used as a “test bed” to demonstrate a general methodology that will be developed by the project for these purposes.

One of the main aims of the project will be to evaluate the efficiency of the Refinery’s use of raw materials and develop a better understanding of the raw material balance in a holistic manner, looking to introduce projects to improve consumption efficiency. The Research Engineer will also be required to review possibilities to avoid, recover and dispose of wastes produced by the Refinery and develop a better understanding of waste (especially oil wastes), establish the feasibility of introducing novel methods or technology and look to improve cost efficiency.

By working with real examples, you will develop an approach leading to the selection of technically feasible process engineering solutions, which are environmentally sound, economically viable and socially acceptable.

Funding details
The Research Engineer recruited will be based with Chevron’s HES Department in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

We are looking for a self motivated individual with good interpersonal and analytical skills and attention to detail. The suitable candidate will be a chemical engineer with a keen interest and good level of understanding of sustainable development, with a good bachelor’s degree (at least a 2.1) and preferably a relevant MSc. Some post graduate experience is desirable.

The current stipends for EngD studentships are £19,500 per annum or above (normally tax-free). To be eligible for funding, applicants must demonstrate a relevant connection with the UK (see www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTraining/StudentEligibility.htm).

Closing date: 14th September, 9am. Interviews are expected to take place on 16/17th September at Chevron in Pembrokeshire.

Development of Robust Low Cost Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Systems

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:18:36 +0100

The University of Surrey hosts a prestigious EPSRC-funded Industrial Doctorate Centre offering an EngD in Sustainability for Engineering and Energy Systems (see www.surrey.ac.uk/engd/sees). The EngD is awarded for doctoral research carried out within a framework of relevant industrial experience and professional development courses. The four-year programme provides at least the intellectual challenge of a PhD, and EngD Research Engineers will normally spend approximately three-quarters of their time based with their sponsor.

A studentship is available with Thames Water Utilities Ltd, the UK's largest water and wastewater services company, starting on the 27th September 2010. The UK water industry is increasingly being driven by conflicting requirements to improve Sewage Treatment Works (STW) effluent discharge standards, whilst reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Historically small STWs were not required to achieve removal of ammoniacal nitrogen, and effluent biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS) standards were often less rigorously applied than for larger works due to the relatively small loads discharged. However, legislation from the European Community is now driving stringent effluent discharge standards for priority hazardous substances and nutrients for STWs of any size. Increasingly, small trickling filter plants are adopting energy intensive processes to ensure compliance with this legislation. However, the UK water industry has concurrently adopted a target of reducing its carbon emissions by 20% by 2015 (referenced to 1990/91 levels).

Thames Water Utilities operates more than 150 sewage treatment works serving populations of less than 2,000. The main purpose of this research project is to evaluate and where appropriate, demonstrate the capability of low technology/low energy sewage treatment processes to meet stringent effluent quality discharge standards for these STWs.

Funding details
The Research Engineer recruited will be based with Thames Water’s Research & Development team in Reading, Berkshire.

We are looking for a logical, self motivated individual with good interpersonal and organisational skills. They should also have demonstrated independent critical and analytical skills, and attention to detail. The suitable candidate will have a 2.1 Bachelor’s degree in civil, chemical or environmental engineering and/or an MSc in a relevant field. They should also have a keen interest in climate change and environmental issues. A current full UK driving licence is required to access remote treatment sites.

The current stipends for EngD studentships are £19,500 per annum or above (normally tax-free). To be eligible for funding, applicants must demonstrate a relevant connection with the UK (see www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTraining/StudentEligibility.htm).

Closing date: 10th September, 9am. Interviews will take place on 10th September at Thames Water in Reading.

For further project details and an application pack, please contact:

Miss Lisa Casson, IDC Administrator
Tel: 01483 684036
Email: engd@surrey.ac.uk

Master of Space Studies - Leuven - Space

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:10:21 +0100

The Master of Space Studies at the K.U.Leuven is conceived as an advanced master's programme and as such it addresses the students who have succesfully completed an initial Master's programme in either the humanities and social sciences, exact sciences and technology or biomedical sciences.

Master of Statistics - Belgium - Statistics

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:57:56 +0100

the master of Statistics at the K.U.Leuven is an international study programme. It offers an education in statistics at high scientific level, in a range of options leading to challenging job-fields and supported by our research activities. Each option offers a methodological and an applied line

master of Molecular and Cellular Biophysics - Belgium - Biophysics

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:53:23 +0100

The master of Molecular and Cellular Biophysics of the K.U.Leuven is an international interdisciplinary study programme offered by the Faculties of Science and Medicine in collaboration with the Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology, the Medical Imaging Center, and the Physiology Research Group. The programme focuses on the phenomena related to the interaction and communication between living cells and their molecular constituents, drawing on research methods used within the fields of molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry and physics.

Master of Mathematics - K.U.Leuven, Belgium - Mathematics

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:47:26 +0100

The master of Mathematics of the K.U.Leuven offers the possibility to focus on either pure or applied mathematics. The courses are firmly grounded in the core research activities of the Department of Mathematics. Gradually the students build up experience and autonomy in learning how to cope with concepts, higher levels of abstraction, new techniques, new applications and new results. The master's thesis is performed in the various mathematical research groups of the Departments of Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy and Computer Sciences.

Master of Chemistry - Leuven - chemistry

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:36:31 +0100

The master of Chemistry at the K.U.Leuven offers a challenging programme and covers many aspects of modern chemistry with emphasis on scientific capbilities such as problem-solving skills, independent thinking and communication. Master's students will receive solid theoretical training and acquire the latest techniques in fundamental and applied research.

Master of Biology - Leuven, Belgium - Biology

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:30:47 +0100

The master of Biology at the K.U.Leuven covers many aspects of modern biology, from the molecular to the population and community levels, with emphasis on scientific capabilities such as problem-solving skills, independent thinking, and communication. Master's students will receive solid theoretical training and acquire the latest techniques in fundamental and applied research.

PhD studentship - London

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:52:58 +0100

PhD studentship - London

Faculty of Medicine

National Heart & Lung Institute

ROYAL BROMPTON & HAREFIELD NHS TRUST

Ex-vivo cellular assessment of chemo-sensitivity in lung cancer

Funded by Point Hope Investment Company

Applications are invited for a 3-year PhD studentship at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, to start in October 2010 funded by Point Hope Investment Company, a private equity firm with a commitment to philanthropy. The studentship will be funded for 3 years, on a tax free bursary of £17,500 p.a. and tuition fees at the Home/EU rate. Overseas students are welcomed to apply, but are required to meet the difference between Home/EU and overseas school fees.

The student will work within the groups of Lung Cell Biology at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London and the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London.

The project focuses on personalised medicine by developing cell based models to predict an individual's tumour sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. The project brings together a combination of molecular cellular biology, pharmacology and oncology offering a highly valuable training programme for the student.

The Lung Cell Biology group is headed by Professor Terry Tetley and the Thoracic Surgery section is headed by Mr Eric Lim providing an exciting collaborative environment for translational research for patient benefit, with state of the art facilities and excellent opportunities for PhD students.

NHLI and Imperial College London provide excellent opportunities for postgraduate research student training including research seminars, journal clubs and an exciting collaborative environment.

All students will belong to the Graduate School of Life Sciences and Medicine, which provides a comprehensive Transferable Skills Programme and has received the Times Higher Award for Outstanding Support for Early Careers Researchers in 2006 and 2008.

How to Apply

We are looking for enthusiastic candidates who hold, or expect to gain, a first or upper-second class degree preferably in one or more of the following: developmental biology, molecular biology, toxicology, pharmacology and physiological sciences from a recognised academic institution. A Master's degree or equivalent qualification is normally a prerequisite for research study at Imperial College London.

To apply, send a CV, a one page personal statement supporting your application and the names and addresses of at least two academic referees to Mr Eric Lim e-mail via the ‘Apply Now’ button. Please note that candidates must fulfil Imperial College London's admissions criteria.

Please assume that you have not been successful if you have not heard within a month of applying.

Closing date: 16 September 2010.

Website: http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/about/divisions/nhli

Committed to equality and valuing diversity. We are also an Athena Silver SWAN Award winner and a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a Stonewall Top 100 Employer 2010.