Supporting Company: Cummins Turbo Technologies

Supervisors: Professor Richard Dashwood (WMG); Martin Lindsay (CTT), Dr Michael Burkinshaw (CTT)

WMG and Cummins Turbo Technologies (CTT) are seeking a top class candidate to undertake research leading to the award of an International Engineering Doctorate from the University of Warwick.

As a ‘Research Entrepreneur’ on our International Doctorate programme you will have unrivalled access to some of the best teaching and industrial expertise in the world.  You will emerge from the four-year programme more confident and better equipped to make a difference to your future employer and the global marketplace. 

This opportunity also provides a substantial tax free stipend equivalent to many graduate jobs. You will split your time between the University of Warwick and CTT.

Project

For the first stage of this project there are two initiatives being proposed.  Please contact us to find out more information.

1) Joining Methods for Application in High Temperature Environments

The research entrepreneur will work closely with industry and academia to identify, assess and validate the state of the art for joining methods used within cutting-edge turbomachinery applications experiencing temperatures greater than 600 °C. Throughout this work, the research entrepreneur will utilise a wide variety of techniques and processes in order to achieve the project goals and objectives. Due to the nature of the work, the Research Entrepreneur will have the opportunity to significantly enhance their technical and project management skills.

Key deliverables:

• Assessment of the relative cost of equipment, material and processes
• Material thermal stability
• Assessment of material applicability and compatibility
• Development of process parameters and assessment of process consistency
• Process validation and in-process controls
• Evaluation of joint durability

2) Optimisation of Materials for High Temperature Applications

Cummins Turbo Technologies conducts extensive research and development in order to identify, analyse and evaluate materials and surface treatment processes which can be used to meet future industry trends. In this context, the Research Entrepreneur will act as an integral member of the team established between CTT and the University of Warwick in order to provide innovative solutions to solve problems such as wear and corrosion which are experienced with high temperature applications. The Research Entrepreneur will be responsible for identifying appropriate solutions, developing a validation plan using cross-functional techniques and devising a method for scoring the performance of substrates. The Research Entrepreneur will work with colleagues from multiple disciplines within industry in order to achieve the project goals and objectives. Key deliverables:

• Relative cost difference between substrate solutions
• Project planning
• Substrate thermal stability
• Tribological  performance
• Corrosion performance
• Substrate tolerance enhancement
• Process development, control and validation

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

Candidates should have a minimum of an upper second (2.1) honours degree (or equivalent) in an engineering or related discipline.

Due to funding regulations, this project is open to Home (UK) students only.

The Studentship

Qualifying students receive an enhanced stipend. For 2014 this totals approximately £19,000 tax free per annum.

The funding is for four years and will also cover University tuition fees and all course fees as well as a travel allowance to attend courses.

Apply

To apply please contact us at engd<στο>warwick.ac.uk  or phone us on 024 765 24357