Industrial Sponsor: Jo Bird & Co Ltd (http://www.jobird.co.uk/)

Project start date: as soon as possible

Jo Bird & Co Ltd is an internationally recognised leader in the design and manufacture of lifesaving and fire safety equipment storage. Since their establishment in 1986, they have developed products to meet the demands of a range of industries and environments. Uniquely among UK manufacturers, the company has also been awarded Lloyd's Register Type Test Approval for many of their lifesaving and fire safety storage solutions.

As a result, they now produce over 90 types of product with an approximate output of 6,000 items per year. The majority of these are constructed from GF/CF Polyester resin composites, manufactured through contact moulding. However, they are developing an RTM capability for those products required in higher volume, which may involve other materials and manufacturing techniques. Their products must meet strict aesthetic as well as technical requirements, and are shipped globally. All of this is presently achieved as an SME with just 21 FTE staff and an ‘in it together’ ethos that is very important to the company and its community.

Jo Bird are now looking to identify and implement a step change in technologies that can deliver value, quality, and performance benefits to ensure robust products that can meet the requirements of relevant industries and withstand the environments they are exposed to, as well as offering defect free manufacture. They are looking to grow their capacity through research, in areas such as design, manufacture, production capability, costing, in-house testing (mechanical, structural, environmental, and dynamics), and simulation. To achieve this, the company is looking for a suitably motivated and driven Research Engineer who can conduct research which is strategically key for the aims of the company.

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering the development of relevant next generation design and manufacturing practices as part of an EngD in Composites Manufacture and will enjoy a challenging yet diverse range of research requirements, while also training to become a future industry leader. The industry-led project and underpinning EngD programme offers an outstanding opportunity for personal development as well as the opportunity to make a real contribution to the company’s ongoing and future success.

Location: Research Engineer (RE) to be sited at Jo Bird & Co Ltd, Factory Lane, Bason Bridge, Somerset, TA9 4RN.

About the IDC and the EngD programme:

For further information about the IDC and the EngD programme please visit: http://www.epsrc-cimc.ac.uk/idc

Candidate requirements: An upper second-class degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate discipline.

Funding: Standard EPSRC studentship eligibility criteria apply:http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/Pages/eligibility.aspx

How to apply: If you are interested in applying for this EngD project please send your CV to the IDC atidc<στο>epsrc-cimc.ac.uk

Contacts:  For further information contact idc<στο>epsrc-cimc.ac.uk