As part of the Composites University Technology Centre (UTC) at the University of Bristol, supported by Rolls-Royce, there is an exciting opportunity to join a world-class team conducting state of the art research for composite aircraft engine components. These components require complex geometries, fibre architectures and reinforcements both for aerodynamics and structural integrity.

In particular this post will develop, manufacture and characterise novel through-thickness reinforcement methods via z-pin technology. New materials, insertion methods and configurations are to be investigated. In many cases the standard tests are not sufficient and so development of new methods may be required to investigate behaviour and generate applicable data. This project will run in close collaboration with researchers conducting numerical analysis, and high quality experimental work will be a crucial part of the process of understanding failure, required for model development and validation.

Based in the Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS), within the Department of Aerospace Engineering, you will work as part of the UTC team on the ATI funded FANDANGO project, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, Oxford University and Imperial College London. You will have or be working towards a PhD in Engineering / Materials Science (or closely related discipline) and have good experience of experimental techniques, composites manufacture and composites failure mechanisms.

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.