PhD Studentships

Details:

• Deadline for Applications: 30st May 2016
• Funding Type: Postgraduate Studentship
• Type of Study: PhD 

Description

A fully funded PhD studentship on control system design is available for an outstanding UK/EU graduate. The student will join a team of researchers from Lancaster and Newcastle universities who are already working on an exciting new EPSRC funded project called Adaptive Treatment and Robust Control.

In medical research, an adaptive treatment strategy is a set of rules for choosing effective treatments for individual patients. The treatment choices made for a particular patient are based on that individual’s characteristics and history, with the goal of optimizing his or her long-term clinical outcome. Recently there has been growing interest in the use of control engineering methods for such biomedical applications. Although control theory has been connected to biological systems for decades, developments in sensor technology mean that it is now possible to measure variables such as the heart rate of animals on-line. Examples include the real-time control of physiological variables such as heart rate and growth. Thus there is need and scope for use of modern statistical estimation and inference methodology alongside modern control methods.

The EPSRC project involves a three-way collaboration between researchers in statistics, in control engineering, and in mathematical analysis. The aim is to solve an array of problems in the general area of adaptive intervention through the integration of techniques and approaches that have been developed in distinct ways in the three fields. The problems are focused around the cross-disciplinary themes of irregular sampling and robustness.

This new PhD studentship at Lancaster University will involve a complementary research project around this topic that could address one or more of several case study problems that we have identified and/or a specific aspect of the research. These include both medical examples and an engineering example, namely the thermal control of a forced ventilation environmental test chamber. The latter can be readily adapted to mimic the various practical and theoretical scenarios under consideration e.g. disturbances and missing data.

Engineering research at Lancaster University has been rated as world leading in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) and you will join a welcoming team of researchers working on this topic.  

 

Applications

It is anticipated that the student will start in the summer of 2016 or by October 2016 at the latest. Potential candidates for this position should have or expect to achieve a first-class or upper second class degree in Engineering, Mathematics or related discipline. Due to funding regulations applications are restricted to UK/EU students and the appointment will always be made on merit. A full standard studentship consists of tuition fees, together with a maintenance grant and research training support. The funding is for 3 years and will pay a stipend at the standard UKRC rate. For further information, please contact:

Dr James Taylor
Web - http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/engineering/about-us/people/james-taylor

Formal applications should be made via the Lancaster University Postgraduate Admissions Portal. Once you have created an account you will be able to fill in your personal details, background and upload supporting documentation. However, to declare your interest and to help ensure timely consideration of your application, please also send an email as above.                                 

Details:

• Deadline for Applications: 31st August 2016
• Funding Type: Postgraduate Studentship
• Type of Study: PhD

Summary

The Department of Engineering at Lancaster University is pleased to announce the availability of a Next Generation Nuclear (NGN) PhD studentship for the project entitled “A nanogravimetric sensor for the in-situ, real time monitoring of ⁹⁹Tc in ground water”, co-funded by Sellafield Sites Ltd.

Description

Monitoring of ground water quality on nuclear licensed sites is a regulatory requirement affecting NDA estates. Their primary objective is to characterise and assess water quality underlying the site through monitoring programmes and meet statutory reporting requirements. Monitoring of ⁹⁹Tc is a statutory
requirement on a number of sites. Secondary objectives include the provision of reassurance ground water monitoring of leak detection programmes and measurements to support site hydrogeological models.

Technetium-99 is most commonly present in ground water as the pertechnetate ion (TcO4^-), which is highly soluble and mobile in ground water systems. Thus, in a contamination event, ⁹⁹Tc is one of the first isotopes to be detected and presents an opportunity for early contaminant tracking. We propose to develop a Quartz Crystal Nanobalance (QCN) device for real time in-situ monitoring of ⁹⁹Tc in ground water. This will be achieved by using a range of TcO4^- sequestering agents immobilised onto the quartz crystal resonator.

The Next Generation Nuclear Doctoral Training Centre provides a 4 year, fully funded EPSRC studentship. The first year of this research programme includes a taught element, which aims to give you a broad knowledge of nuclear science and the fuel cycle, through MSc level modules. This is undertaken as a cohort of PhD students from other participating Universities (Leeds, Lancaster, Liverpool and Manchester) and uses a problem-based and enquiry style learning, which involves individual and collaborative work supported by lectures, tutorials and practical exercises.

This is a 3½-year studentship, available from 1st October 2016 supported by Sellafield Ltd and EPSRC NGN CDT.

For more information, visit the NGN webpage.

Eligibility

You should have a Degree at 2.1 or above (or equivalent) in engineering or chemistry and should demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm and motivation to explore novel research fields. To be eligible for a studentship, the funding requirements are that you must either be a U.K. citizen or a European Union national who has been resident in the UK for at least 3 years prior to starting the course.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Fabrice Andrieux, Department of Engineering, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK.

Applications

Applications must be received by 31st August 2016. Candidates must apply online via the Postgraduate Admissions Portal. Once you have created an account you will be able to fill in your personal details, background and upload supporting documentation.

Applicants must indicate in their application that they are applying for the fully-funded PGroundwater Monitoring on Nuclear Sites, and must submit a personal statement indicating why they feel they should receive the award in respect of academic merit.

However, to declare your interest and help ensure timely consideration of your application, please also send a copy of your CV to Dr Fabrice Andrieux.

Please contact the engineering admissions team should you require further information.

 

Details:

 

• Deadline for Applications: Please apply as soon as possible
• Funding Type: Postgraduate Studentship
• Type of Study: PhD
  

 

Description

The sensing of water contaminated with radionuclides which produce low energy beta radiation is currently undertaken via the sending of samples to 3rd party labs for extraction and analysis – a costly and time consuming method. Real-time methods used involve either gas filled detectors, scintillators or solid state detectors; although these tend to exhibit limited efficiency.

This PhD project builds on existing projects and focusses on the development of a robust detection method for the real-time monitoring and determination of low energy beta particles emitted from waterborne radionuclides as found in seawater and groundwater surrounding nuclear power plants and other nuclear legacy sites.

 

This detector will involve the development of a dual distributed solid scintillator comprised of both CaF₂(Eu) and YAP:Ce with the intention of creating a prototype system which can be utilised in real life situations to determine the abundance of each radionuclide considered within the sampled water.

 

We welcome applications from graduates who have, or expect to obtain, a good degree (first class or upper second) in any technical discipline. If interested, please contact Dr David Cheneler (d.cheneler@lancaster.ac.uk) or Dr Stephen Monk (s.monk@lancaster.ac.uk) as soon as possible, attaching your current CV.

 

Note: as project requires access to nuclear power sites, only UK/EU nationals can apply. 

Web - http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/engineering/about-us/people/stephen-monk, http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/engineering/about-us/people/david-cheneler

 

Applications 
Formal applications should be made via the Lancaster University Postgraduate Admissions Portal. Once you have created an account you will be able to fill in your personal details, background and upload supporting documentation. However, to declare your interest and to help ensure timely consideration of your application, please also send an email as above.                                 

Details:

• Deadline for Applications: 30th April 2016
• Funding Type: Postgraduate Studentship
• Type of Study: PhD 

Description

You will study at the Cockcroft Institute, Daresbury and become a member of a group of Physicists and Engineers who are developing a Free Electron Laser (FEL) research facility named CLARA. The Cockcroft Institute is a collaboration of Universities including Lancaster with the STFC accelerator division ASTeC formed to undertake world leading particle accelerator research. The STFC, Daresbury facility has been a pioneer in the use of particle accelerators to generate electromagnetic radiation for scientific investigation in multiple disciplines including biological, material and forensic sciences http://www.stfc.ac.uk/research/accelerator-science/clara-compact-linear-accelerator-for-research-and-applications/

The CLARA FEL is driven by a 250 MeV Linear Accelerator. The specific PhD project work will involve the development of advanced timing distribution systems, controls and measurement systems for synchronising laser pulses to the microwave power sources. The synchronisation systems must enable the linear accelerator to deliver ultra-short electron bunches to Free Electron Lasers with femtosecond timing accuracy. You will need some prior knowledge of electromagnetics, programing and electronics.

You will be based at Daresbury near Warrington while registered as a postgraduate research student at Lancaster University.

Training on accelerator science and technology is provided as a course of lectures and tutorials.

The studentship provides a stipend of £14,800 per annum for the duration of the award plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate.

This funded studentship is limited to UK applicants. 

 

Applications

Applicants should be highly motivated and have a 1st class honours degree or at least a good 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in physics, electronic engineering or applied mathematics. Informal enquires should be directed to Dr Amos Dexter a.dexter@lancaster.ac.uk - Web - www.lancaster.ac.uk/engineering/about-us/people/amos-dexter

Please apply at https://www.cockcroft.ac.uk/education-and-training/phd-information.

Please note: Once your application has been accepted by the Cockcroft Institute you will then need to apply via the Lancaster University Postgraduate Admissions Portal. Once you have created an account you will be able to fill in your personal details, background and upload supporting documentation. 

                              

Details:

• Deadline for Applications: 30th June 2016
• Funding Type: Postgraduate Studentship
• Type of Study: PhD Description

Description:

The Department of Engineering at Lancaster University is pleased to announce the availability of a fully funded PhD studentship in Chemical Engineering.

MXenes, recently discovered two-dimensional materials, are transition metal carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides that result from the selective exfoliation of the A-group layer in precursor MAX phases. Their electrical, thermal and mechanical properties, along with their resilience under a number of conditions and the ability of tailor these materials for specific applications make them extremely interesting materials for applications in fuel cells.  This project will focus on synthesising and tailoring MXenes for fuel cell applications, where, in addition to promising electrical and mechanical properties, their robustness, resistance to corrosion, processability and potential to scale up can make them attractive alternatives to current state-of-the-art fuel cell materials.  The potential impact of this research is high as this project will address life-time enhancement of fuel cells without significant cost increase, which is the single biggest direct technical challenge currently inhibiting the widespread adoption of fuel cell technologies.

The project will make use of the extensive fuel cell and materials characterization facility available at Lancaster and will benefit from established fuel cell industrial links.

 

Applications:

It is anticipated that the student will start in October 2016. Potential candidates for this position should have or expect to achieve a first-class or upper second class degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science or a related discipline. Due to funding regulations applications are restricted to UK/EU students.

For further information, please contact:

• Dr Nuno Bimbo (n.bimbo@lancaster.ac.uk) Web - http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/engineering/about-us/people/?q=nuno
• Dr Richard Dawson (r.dawson@lancaster.ac.uk) Web - http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/engineering/about-us/people/?q=dawson

 

 

Formal applications should be made via the Lancaster University Postgraduate Admissions Portal. Once you have created an account you will be able to fill in your personal details, background and upload supporting documentation. However, to declare your interest and to help ensure timely consideration of your application, please also send an email as above.