Start date: ASAP
Eligibility: UK and EU
Supervisors: Dr. John Ahmet Erkoyuncu – Lecturer in Service Simulation 

Sponsored by Ministry of Defence, this studentship will provide a bursary of £16,000 - £ 19,000 p.a. (tax free) plus fees* for three yearshttp://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=fPo9b1GZ4NXx2M&tbnid=JldUPKe84aU1cM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://mfym.org.uk/2013/05/01/breakfast-with-boris/&ei=5OazUvOkCdTu0gXFy4DoAQ&bvm=bv.58187178,d.d2k&psig=AFQjCNHH2yvJY2T4QfbcuJc7ubi5xfUFEg&ust=1387607620227815http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=fPo9b1GZ4NXx2M&tbnid=JldUPKe84aU1cM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://mfym.org.uk/2013/05/01/breakfast-with-boris/&ei=5OazUvOkCdTu0gXFy4DoAQ&bvm=bv.58187178,d.d2k&psig=AFQjCNHH2yvJY2T4QfbcuJc7ubi5xfUFEg&ust=1387607620227815

This project will focus on the role of risks and uncertainties in meeting availability targets in complex engineering projects. The project will aim to develop methods and processes to be able to predict the potential evolution of risk and uncertainty and its impact on equipment availability from the early phases of a project into the later stages of the life cycle. The project will aim to fulfil the following objectives:

• Identify risks and uncertainties that influence the level of availability and characterise the dynamic behaviour.
• Develop a detailed simulation model to explore bespoke strategies for each risk/uncertainty that can influence availability and demonstrate the dynamic behaviour over time.
• Develop a trade-off mechanism to choose across risk/uncertainty strategies over time with a view to demonstrate availability outcomes.
• Explore and apply dynamic time based modelling techniques such as agent based simulation to represent complex systems.
• Develop a simulation platform to support incentive design across the supply chain.
• Explore and apply visualisation approaches (including 3D representation) for risk and uncertainty across the lifecycle to adjust a bid/project to reduce the risk & uncertainty.

The student will be based at the Cranfield University EPSRC Funded Through-Life Engineering Services Centre which is a part of the School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing. The student will use the newly commissioned Operations Excellence Institute for simulation studies and the latest computing facilities offered by Cranfield University.

As a part of working in this industrially sponsored project, the student will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, UK. He/she will need to present their research findings regularly to the project team.

Entry requirements:

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline, such as mathematics, or engineering. The ideal candidate should have some understanding in the area of simulation, numerical modelling and industrial service delivery. The candidate should be self-motivated, have good communication skills for regular interaction with other stakeholders, with an interest for industrial research.

Funding:

*To be eligible for this funding, applicants must have

• no restrictions on how long you can stay in the UK, i.e. no visa restrictions or have ‘settled status’,and
• have been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the grant and
• not been residing in the UK wholly or mainly for the purpose of full-time education. (This does not apply to UK or EU nationals).

All EU nationals are eligible to receive a fees-only award if they do not have ‘settled status’ in the UK.

How to apply:

Please complete the application online application form

Please contact the following for further discussion:

For further information please contact: Dr. John Ahmet Erkoyuncu, E: j.a.erkoyuncu<στο>cranfield.ac.uk, T: (0) 1234 750111 Ext: 2747

School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing
T: 44 (0)1234 758008
E: enquiries<στο>cranfield.ac.uk