The ACCIS Doctoral Training Centre (ACCIS DTC) provides innovative postgraduate training for students wishing to pursue a PhD in the field of advanced composites. Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the DTC brings together scientists and engineers and benefits from strong industrial links. The programme offered by the DTC spans four years, including an integrated taught component during the first year.
See our dedicated ACCIS DTC webpages for programme details and information on how to apply.
We would like to invite applications for a fully funded 3-year PhD position, to start as soon as possible. The project is financed by the CleanSky EcoDesign Consortium and it will be carried out in collaboration with EADS Innovation Works.
The growing usage of composites in primary airframe structures requires the full characterization and understanding of the effects of environmental factors on the long term durability of fibre reinforced laminates. This is key for the development of next generation “greener” lightweight airframes, which will reduce the impact of aviation on carbon emissions. The goal of the PhD project is to develop robust prediction methods for the strength degradation of fibre-reinforced laminates caused by the exposure of variable temperature and humidity levels. The main challenge is in understanding the synergistic interaction between temperature and humidity effects.
The PhD project will involve an extensive mechanical characterization campaign on environmentally conditioned specimens. The experimental data will be employed to benchmark existing models for strength degradation due to temperature and humidity and to develop new theoretical approaches for predicting the interaction between variable temperature and humidity.
Applicants should have a First or Second Class UK Honours or an equivalent degree in a relevant discipline such as mechanical/aerospace/manufacturing engineering. Knowledge of the mechanics of composite materials is mandatory. Experience in the mechanical characterization of composites and knowledge of Matlab and Labview are desirable.
Funding is available for UK, EU and non-EU candidates. The latter should hold no visa restrictions or have "settled status".
For additional information, please contact: Dr Giuliano Allegri (Email: Giuliano.Allegri@bristol.ac.uk Telephone: +44(0)117 33 18263
Applications should be submitted online via the Aerospace Engineering postgraduate admissions webpage.
Applications are invited for a Marie-Curie Fellow position to work on the above-named project jointly hosted by the Advanced Composites Centre for Innovation and Science (ACCIS) and the School of Chemistry, both at the University of Bristol. The project concerns the investigation and development of innovative chemistries to act as extrinsic self-healing agents and/or provide an intrinsic healing capability to a structural fibre reinforced polymeric material.
The primary tasks will include;
Collaborations with the University of Freiburg, Germany, (investigating self-repair of plants as role model for FRPs) and EPFL, Switzerland (investigating development of self-healing elastomer matrix composites) are planned. Furthermore, a comprehensive programme of multidisciplinary training forms a key part of being a Marie-Curie Fellow.
The successful candidate must meet the eligibility requirements below, as well as possessing a good Master’s level degree in chemistry or materials science, and evidence of an interest in polymer chemistry. Experience or an interest in polymer synthesis, catalysis, microencapsulation or physical and mechanical testing and characterisation of materials would be an advantage, as well as an interest in the field of self-healing materials. This project offers an exciting opportunity to be involved in the development of potentially ground-breaking technologies. Furthermore applicants should ideally offer the following:
The PhD project duration is for 3 years.
Please note there are specific eligibility conditions for EU Marie Curie projects (see full advert).
In the first instance, applicants should send a cover letter, CV and motivation letter to:
Professor Ian Bond
University of Bristol
Advanced Composites Centre for Innovation and Science
Queen's Building
University Walk
Bristol, BS8 1TR
United Kingdom.
Email: I.P.Bond@bristol.ac.uk
Application deadline: 31st August 2012
Applications are invited for a Marie-Curie Fellow position to work on the above-named project hosted by ACCIS. The project concerns the investigation and development of a robust, integrated vascular delivery system, capable of effecting self-repair in a composite after sustaining damage.
The primary tasks will include;
Collaborations with the University of Freiburg, Germany, (investigating self-repair of plants as role model for FRPs) and EPFL, Switzerland (investigating development of self-healing elastomer matrix composites) are planned. Furthermore, a comprehensive programme of multidisciplinary training forms a key part of being a Marie-Curie Fellow. This project offers an exciting opportunity to be involved in the development of potentially ground-breaking technologies.
The successful candidate must meet the eligibility requirements below, as well as possessing a good Master’s level degree in materials science/engineering, and evidence of an interest in fibre reinforced polymer composites. Experience or an interest in polymer science or physical and mechanical testing and characterisation of materials would be an advantage, as would an interest in the field of self-healing materials. Furthermore applicants should ideally offer the following:
The PhD project duration is for 3 years.
Please note there are specific eligibility conditions for EU Marie Curie projects (see full advert).
In the first instance, applicants should send a cover letter, CV and motivation letter to:
Professor Ian Bond
University of Bristol
Advanced Composites Centre for Innovation and Science
Queen's Building
University Walk
Bristol, BS8 1TR
United Kingdom.
Email: I.P.Bond@bristol.ac.uk
Application deadline: 31st August 2012
The HiPerDuCT project aims to create a new generation of high performance composites that overcome the key limitation of conventional composites: their inherent lack of ductility. The ability to yield and recover, be notch insensitive, exhibit much greater work of fracture, and fail in a benign manner will offer a step change in damage tolerance, vastly increasing the scope of application and enabling new processing techniques.
PhD studentships are available which offer potential applicants an exciting opportunity to contribute towards the research objectives of HiPerDuCT:
Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a 1st class or upper 2nd class honours degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or Materials, with evidence of a strong interest in composites.
The studentships are offered with funding covering living expenses and tuition fees at the EU rate for 3 years.
Applicants should follow the standard University of Bristol process for Aerospace Engineering postgraduate applications
Contact: Email Prof. Michael Wisnom
Projects within the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites will aim to underpin the development of next-generation composites manufacturing processes based on low cost, short cycle times, efficiency and sustainability. Research topics include novel approaches to manufacture of complex geometries; structural joints using embedded inserts & bonded fittings and multi-scale modelling to predict defect formation during infusion.
PhD studentships are available within the EPSRC Centre to applicants holding or expecting to obtain a 1st class or upper 2nd class honours degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or Materials, with evidence of a strong interest in composites.
The studentships are offered with funding covering living expenses and tuition fees at the EU rate for 3 years.
Applicants should follow the standard University of Bristol process for Aerospace Engineering postgraduate applications
Contact: Email Prof. Kevin Potter
If you are interested in applying for an internship within ACCIS, we require the following information from you:
Selection is highly competitive, so please only apply if you have a genuine interest in a specific area of ACCIS research and can demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve valuable research outcomes during the course of your internship. Available funding for internships is limited so we can only offer a small number of such placements. Applicants able to provide full or partial funding from alternative sources are encouraged.
Application documentation as listed above should be submitted by email:
Email ACCIS
Ad hoc positions are often available for experimental and modelling research on aerospace composites in collaboration with companies including Airbus, Westland, GE Aviation, Vestas and Rolls-Royce. We are keen to hear from exceptional candidates with proposed research topics when specific projects are not listed on this webpage. All proposed projects should be sent to us by email with an accompanying CV.
Examples of previous projects and research positions are available.
Studentships may be available to suitably qualified UK and in some cases EU citizens. Bursaries may be considerably enhanced by industrial topups depending on the project, and candidates qualifications and experience. In all cases a good honours degree in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Materials, Mathematics or a related discipline is required. Post-Doctoral Research Assistantships are also available for candidates with relevant experience.
Information on postgraduate fees and funding.
Opportunities across the University can be found on the central University of Bristol Vacancies page.
