Vacancies

Applications are invited for studentships for a 3 year research programme leading to the award of a Ph.D. The work will be performed within the framework of the SKF University Technology Centre at the University of Cambridge under the sponsorship of SKF. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in metallurgy with a preference for steels. Full funding is available for British nationals and residents, and partial funding for citizens of the European Union.

The minimum academic requirement for admission is an upper second class UK honours degree at the level of MSci, MEng, MPhys, MChem etc, or a lower second with a good Master's, (or overseas equivalents) in a relevant subject. Application packs are available via http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/gsprospectus/applying/ or from Dr Rosie Ward (remw2@cam.ac.uk) who is happy to answer questions about the admissions process and funding opportunities available. Enquiries pertaining the scientific nature of the work shall be addressed to Dr. Pedro Rivera (pejr2@cam.ac.uk).

PhD studentship in retained austenite role on rolling contact fatigue

The research will focus on developing fundamental understanding on the role of retained austenite on rolling contact fatigue. Several families of ultra-high strength steels display a varying content of retained austenite during operation. It is known that retained austenite may have a positive effect on ductility and fatigue, but it is uncertain the role it plays in combination with the complex transitions underwent under cyclic loading, and over long periods of time. This project will focus on combining microstructural modelling with experiments to determine the relationship between the many microstructural parameters, retained austenite and rolling contact fatigue. Emphasis will be on disentangling the behaviour of nanostructured materials, through hardened, case carburised and induction hardened bearing steels.

PhD studentship in tribochemistry in ultra-strong steels

The research will focus on developing fundamental understanding on the role of surface reaction layers, hydrogen ingress and embrittlement. Especial attention will be devoted to surface initiated failures, their characteristic wear and micropitting from a tribochemical viewpoint. Optimal microstructures to ameliorate these problems will be examined, possibly leading to wear-resistant ultra-strong steel grades. The ideal approach will combine modelling and experimentation to answer these fundamental questions.