Ref: EBW020613
Applications are invited for a fully-funded PhD studentship within the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Industrial Sustainability (www.industrialsustainability.org.uk) which is a consortium of four of the leading UK universities in this field. You will be based at Loughborough University in the Centre for Sustainable Manufacturing and Recycling Technologies (SMART). The remit of the Centre for SMART is to develop strategies, methodologies and supporting technologies for the design, production, consumption and disposal of products, that meet consumer needs as well as legislation, environmental and ethical standards, while safe-guarding the future prosperity of manufacturing businesses.
This is an exciting opportunity to join this world class research team, and to undertake research that will help manufacturers of tomorrow make better decisions to reduce their environmental impact. Based on historical drivers of profit generation and maximised productivity, manufacturing production planning and management is currently optimised for cost, time efficiency (output) and quality. However, environmental considerations throughout the life cycle of both product and production facilities will need form an integral part of future manufacturing businesses. This project will seek new ways to provide relevant information to support these environmentally focused manufacturing decisions, either through the development of improved data sharing systems or through the development of novel sensoring and metering technologies for production processes and other manufacturing activities. This PhD study forms part of a larger research project in collaboration with General Motors and Unilever, and will need to take a focused and structured approach to consider both information management systems and information collection technologies.
The candidates must be expecting, or have already obtained a first degree (1st class or high 2:1 honours or equivalent) in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, or other relevant subject. Good communication skills are essential and an interest in, and basic understanding of automotive technologies is desirable.
The position is to be filled no later than the 1st October 2013. The three-year studentship is expected to have a stipend of £13,726 per annum tax free (the exact amount depends on fee status and experience) and candidates would not be required to pay any tuition fees. We are considering both international students and EU students.
After the closing date for applications, the most promising candidates will be invited to demonstrate their communication skills by giving a short 10 minute presentation (web based or in person) on an interesting project they have previously been involved in which will be followed by a short interview.
Please apply through the following web page by clicking the Apply link below. Applicants seeking additional information are invited to contact Dr Elliot Woolley (e-mail e.b.woolley@lboro.ac.uk).
Please quote the reference EBW020613 on all correspondence and especially on the application form.
The closing date for applications for this post is 15th July 2013.