EPRSC iCASE PhD Studentship in collaboration with Tata Steel
Thermal Modelling and Plant-based Studies to Develop Fluoride-free Mould Powders for Continuous Casting of Steel
Teesside University working with Tata Steel Research, are looking for an outstanding graduate to be basedwithin the School of Science & Engineering. The full time iCASE PhD studentship is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and Tata Steel, and will be for three and a half years, subject to satisfactory progress. The successful applicant is expected to commence in October 2012.
Mould powders are critical to the successful manufacture of steel by the continuous casting process. Fulfillingthe contradictory roles of controlling lubrication and promoting uniform heat transfer in a very demanding operating environment, their composition and properties must be carefully designed. To date,Calcium Fluoride has been key to the mechanism of operation. However, environmental concerns have led to a growing demand for Fluoride-free powders and so far alternatives have struggled to achieve the same levels of steel product quality at acceptable cost. This interdisciplinary project will involve thermal modelling of possible Fluoride-free compositions, laboratory testing to characterise high temperature melting and lubrication properties and culminate in pilot-plant and industrial trials, as appropriate.
The successful student will be based at Teesside University, where the Director of Studies will be DrBridget Stewart. Simon Hodgson, Professor of Advanced Materials and Dean of the School of Science and Engineering, Professor Ken Mills and Dr Arghya Dey of Tata Steel will complete the supervisory team. The student will also have access to the testing facilities at Tata Steel’s Teesside Technology Centre, including the 7-tonne pilot continuous caster.
Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a good honours degree (2.1 or above) in a science or engineering discipline with a significant materials/chemistry content and/or an appropriate Masters level qualification.
Application forms can be obtained from the Graduate Research School (Tel: 01642 738033; ). The closing date for applications is 4.30pm,Friday 24th August 2012. Interviews will be held in early September 2012 for applicants who are short-listed.
For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Bridget Stewart ().
Funding notes:
The studentship will fund tuition fees and provide a stipend of £17,018, which is partly funded by Tata Steel.
Due to the nature of the funding, it is expected that the successful applicant will be a UK national or EU national who has resided in the UK for three years prior to the start date of the studentship.