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Shape Memory Materials for Additive Manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing or 3D Printing is an emerging technology that has gained popularity within the disciplines of design, engineering and manufacturing. The aim of this PhD is to build a knowledge repository that can enable the effective use of Shape Memory Materials for Additive Manufacturing. The PhD programme at Brunel University will provide you with dedicated supervision and training from experts for your research and future career. Please note that we are looking for candidates who are sponsored or have their own funding. We are seeking highly motivated candidates with good communication skills to embark on this exciting doctoral programme. You will develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of Additive Manufacturing and identify shape memory composites that are suitable for 3D Printing. You will also develop an interactive database to comprehensively map existing and potential applications linked to the properties of smart materials. It is hoped that this repository of knowledge will foster the development of novel products for the commercial sector. We are also happy to consider other research project proposals which could be negotiated between the applicant and the supervisor. You will be based in our campus in London, with a potential to spend some research time with our research partners in Spain, Italy, China or Singapore. In addition to academic support, the university will provide the successful candidate with training to support, shape and direct your research to enhance your future employability. This training includes research management, teaching skills and career guidance. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in regular department forums and to present their work at exhibitions such as the Made in Brunel Show. Entry Requirements Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or a recognised equivalent from an overseas university in a related discipline, such as mechanical engineering, material science, computational simulation or physics. A Masters level qualification is desirable. Applicants who are non-native speakers must possess an English language qualification acceptable by the university. The ideal candidate should have an aptitude for good research and we welcome candidates who are sponsored or have their own funding. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in cutting-edge research with both applied and theoretical implications. We would love to hear from you and welcome informal enquiries. 

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for the above PhD topic please follow the steps below:

  1. Contact the supervisor by email or phone to discuss your interest and find out if you would be suitable. Supervisor details can be found on this topic page. The supervisor will guide you in developing the topic-specific research proposal, which will form part of your application.
  2. Click on the 'Apply here' button on this page and you will be taken to the relevant PhD course page, where you can apply using an online application.
  3. Complete the online application indicating your selected supervisor and include the research proposal for the topic you have selected.

Good luck!

This is a self funded topic

Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. See more information here: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/research/Research-degrees/Research-degree-funding. The UK Government is also offering Doctoral Student Loans for eligible students, and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.