Heriot-Watt University

PhD Studentship in Engineering

The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia is seeking a PhD Studentship in Engineering.

Project Title:

Additive manufacturing of microstructures using polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) composite

Polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) is a new class of precursor for production of silicon-based ceramics. The polymeric nature of PDC precursor allows the adaptation of additive manufacturing (AM) to shape complex microstructures for a variety of applications. AM has become one of the major revolutions in industrial process. It has the advantages, such as rapid prototyping, near net-shape forming and customizable, over traditional manufacturing in producing complex structures of different scales.

This project aims to study and develop a new photo-curable PDC-based composite materials for stereolithography (SLA) based additive manufacturing. The project scopes include:

  1. Formulate new photo-curable resins for fabrication of complex microstructures
  2. Introduce different functional groups via chemical grafting into the composite material
  3. Demonstrate the application of the newly developed resins in high temperature MEMS, wastewater treatment, etc. 

Essential Requirements:

  • All applicants must have or expect to have at least 1st class Bachelor (Hons) degree in chemical, material, mechanical or other engineering related fields.
  • Knowledge of Materials Science/Engineering
  • Fluent (verbal and written) in English
  • Hardworking, proactive, willing to learn new things
  • Flexible, self-motivated and able to plan his/her own work

Desirable Requirements:

Candidate who is able to meet the following requirements has added advantage when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements:

  • MEng, MSc or equivalent in the related discipline
  • Research experience in the field of material science, particularly in synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials
  • Experience with analytical instruments e.g. SEM, FTIR, UV-Vis, TGA, XRD, etc.
  • Experience of publishing papers in journals/conferences

Scholarship Available:

A monthly stipend of RM 2500 will be provided and tuition fees will be waived for 3 years.

Selection will be based on academic excellence and research potential, and all short-listed applicants will be interviewed (in person or by Skype).

Interested applicants are invited to apply online.

https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/apply/uk/postgraduate.htm

Applicants should quote Ref: PRGS01 in the application.

Closing date is 19 July 2019.