PhD Studentship: Deformation mechanisms across a chemically graded bond zone

Funder: EPSRC and Rolls-Royce plc

Duration: 3.5 years from 1 October 2027

Supervisors: Prof David Collins and Dr George Wise

Location: The PhD studentship will be based at the University of Cambridge in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy as part of the Structural Materials Group. The Structural Materials Group is a diverse and dynamic research team working across aerospace, automotive, energy, defence, and biomedical sectors. The group's expertise includes alloy design, microstructure-property relationships, phase transformations, and advanced materials processing.

Closing date for applications: 1 Dec 2026 with interviews shortly afterwards.

Stipend: Full funding for 3.5 years covering a personal maintenance stipend starting at £22,437 (current rate) per annum with a top up of £5,500 per annum from Rolls-Royce plc.

Fees: These positions are open to UK citizens or overseas students who meet the UK residency requirements (home fees) or are able to augment the funds to cover the extra costs associated with international student fees. Exceptional overseas candidates may be eligible for an International Doctoral Scholar award.

Deformation mechanisms across a chemically graded bond zone

Future aero-engines will rely on increasingly complex high-temperature components that cannot be manufactured as a single part. Transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding is a promising route for joining nickel-based superalloys, yet the integrity of TLP-bonded joints remains poorly understood at the microstructural level. This project will establish the underpinning science governing TLP bond integrity, focussing on the roles of alloy selection, interlayer chemistry, crystallographic misalignment, and bond processing parameters. This research will be conducted in close collaboration with Rolls-Royce plc. The research will involve fabricating TLP-bonded specimens joining like and dissimilar single crystal superalloys. These will undergo miniaturised electro-thermal mechanical testing to assess deformation and recrystallisation behaviour, combined with high-resolution electron microscopy and in-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction to reveal bond-specific micromechanics and phase evolution. The results will inform processing guidelines to enable TLP-bonded components in next-generation aero-engines.

Applicants should have (or expect to be awarded) a good UK Master's degree (or overseas equivalent) in a relevant science subject (Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering) and should be self-motivated, able to take ownership of their research, and effectively communicate their research findings. Training in all the computational and experimental methods will be provided in the projects, although relevant previous experience would be advantageous.

Applications for the PhD projects should be submitted via the University Application Portal: Apply. Early applications are encouraged as the positions may be filled once suitable candidates are identified.

For further details on postgraduate study at Cambridge, visit the University website. Informal enquiries can be sent to structuralmaterials@msm.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference LJ51573 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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