Brunel University London, in collaboration with Constellium, offers a prestigious fully funded PhD studentship focused on advancing aluminium recycling through the development of high-performance, impurity-tolerant alloys. This 4-year project provides comprehensive training in metallurgy, advanced characterization techniques, and sustainable materials engineering.
🔍 Job Details
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | PhD Studentship in High-Performance and Impurity-Tolerant Recycled Aluminium Alloys |
| Organization/Publisher | Brunel University London, BCAST (Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology) |
| Work Location | Uxbridge, United Kingdom |
| Research Field | Materials Science, Metallurgy, Nanotechnology Applications, Sustainable Engineering |
| Supervisor | Dr. Zhongping Que |
| Funding | EPSRC ICASE Studentship (Fully Funded) |
| Stipend | ~£23,500 annual bursary + full tuition (up to 4 years) |
| Application Deadline | 5 September 2025 |
| Start Date | 1 October 2025 |
| Contract Type | Full-time PhD (48 months) |
| Eligibility | Home students (UK nationals/settled/pre-settled/ILR) |
| Required Qualification | Minimum 2:1 or 1st class degree in Materials Engineering, Metallurgy, or related discipline (Master’s desirable) |
| Required Experience | Background in Materials Science, Physical Sciences, or Engineering |
| English Requirement | IELTS 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in each section) if applicable |
About the Project
Aluminium recycling is central to achieving Net Zero, saving up to 95% energy and CO₂ emissions compared to primary aluminium production. However, impurities remain one of the biggest barriers to large-scale adoption. This EPSRC Industrial CASE PhD studentship aims to tackle this by developing high impurity-tolerant and high-performance recycled aluminium alloys, in partnership with Constellium, a global leader in advanced aluminium products.
Hosted at BCAST (Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology), this project offers unique training in sustainable metallurgy, with applications in automotive, aerospace, and energy-efficient systems.
What You’ll Do
As a PhD researcher, you will:
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Develop advanced recycled aluminium alloys with enhanced impurity tolerance.
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Conduct casting experiments using multiple solidification techniques.
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Perform mechanical testing (tensile, hardness, etc.).
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Use advanced microstructural characterization tools:
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SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy)
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XRD (X-ray Diffraction)
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TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy)
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Collaborate with industrial partners at Constellium for applied research.
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Contribute to publications, patents, and industry-ready solutions.
Who Should Apply
This opportunity is ideal for candidates with:
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A strong academic background (2:1 or higher) in Materials Engineering, Metallurgy, or Physical Sciences.
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Interests in nanotechnology-enabled metallurgy and sustainable material solutions.
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Practical or academic experience in mechanical testing, crystallography, or alloy development.
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Motivation to contribute to green manufacturing and circular economy technologies.
Benefits & Training
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Full Funding: Tuition fees covered + stipend (~£23,500/year).
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Duration: 4 years (full-time PhD).
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Industrial Partnership: Sponsored by Constellium, ensuring applied, industry-relevant outcomes.
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Professional Development: Training in alloy design, advanced microscopy, and computational metallurgy.
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Career Prospects: Opportunities in academia, advanced materials industries, and global aluminium research.
Application Instructions
To apply, email your application in one PDF file to [email protected] by 5 September 2025, including:
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Updated CV
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One-page personal statement
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Degree certificates and transcripts
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Names & contact details of 2 academic referees
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Evidence of English proficiency (if applicable)
Subject line: PhD Application – Development of High Performance and Highly Impurity-Tolerant Recycled Al Alloys
For informal enquiries, contact Dr. Zhongping Que at [email protected].
🔗 Reference Links
⚠️ Disclaimer
This blog post is for informational purposes only. Please verify all application details with the official Brunel University London website before applying.
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