Supporting Company: ELG Carbon Fibre Ltd

WMG and ELG Carbon Fibre Ltd are seeking a top class candidate to undertake research leading to the award of an International Engineering Doctorate awarded jointly by the Universities of Warwick, Exeter and Cranfield.

As a ‘research engineer’ on our International Doctorate programme you will have unrivalled access to some of the best teaching and industrial expertise in the world, across three universities. While you will be based at WMG, University of Warwick and ELG, you will also spend time at Cranfield and Exeter Universities to give you the broadest possible experience. You will emerge from the four-year programme more confident and better equipped to make a difference to your company and the global marketplace. 

This opportunity also provides a substantial tax free stipend equivalent to many graduate jobs.

Project
With forecasts of annual growth of around 15% for the next 10 years, the carbon fibre industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world today, with companies such as BMW introducing these materials into their mainstream production.

ELG Carbon Fibre has developed the world’s first commercial scale operation for recovering carbon fibre from these waste streams, and is now establishing several projects looking at how the recovered carbon fibres can be reintroduced to the supply chain.

Recycled carbon fibres have many potential applications in the composites and thermoplastics industries. In the composites industry, in many cases they can provide a cost effective replacement for expensive virgin carbon fibres. In the thermoplastic industry, they can be used to modify the electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of the base thermoplastic.

This project involves investigation of how recycled carbon fibres can be used to modify the properties of thermoplastics. The project scope involves developing a fundamental understanding of the effects of fibre length, fibre surface treatment and fibre loading on the properties of various thermoplastics, investigating and developing the technologies for incorporating recycled carbon fibres into the thermoplastic compounds, and demonstrating the use of the developed compounds in real life applications from one or more of the aerospace, automotive and electronics industries.

Entry Requirements

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

Attributes

• High levels of innovative thought and lateral thinking
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong computer skills and the ability to learn new software quickly
• Self-motivated, capable of working with minimal guidance and supervision, and within a team.
• Enthusiasm for the subject

Due to funding regulations this project is open to Home/EU students only.

The Studentship
Qualifying students receive an attractive enhanced stipend which could be tax and NI free depending on your personal circumstances, paid by the Centre and topped up by a contribution from ELG. 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 complete our online enquiry form and upload your CV.