http://www2.eng.cam.ac.uk/~mpfs/phd8.

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PhD in: Lightweighting of trucks

Project Description
A PhD Studentship is available to start on 1 Oct 2017 for a suitably qualified candidate to conduct
research leading to the award of a PhD degree in the field of composite materials and structural design
for lightweighting of trucks. The project is within The Centre for Sustainable Road Freight, funded by
EPSRC and industry. The Centre is a collaboration between the Universities of Cambridge and
Heriot-Watt and a number of industrial companies with whom the student will work closely. The
project will explore the benefits to be realised by using composite or other lightweight materials to
give novel trailer configurations and reduced underbody drag. The project will address both theoretical
design and practical manufacturing issues and will require collaboration with other academic and
industrial members of the Centre; thus the candidate should have good interpersonal and practical
skills and be prepared for some travel within the UK. There is also the opportunity to conduct some
research with a collaborator in the US.

Background Required
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, a first-class degree in Engineering or a relevant subject
in the Physical Sciences or Mathematics with skills in mechanical modelling and materials. The project
is applied and will interest someone who wishes to see their work make an impact in the near future
on CO2 emisions.

Application
Full funding is available for a home, EU or overseas student covering all fees and maintenance for
three years. Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Michael Sutcliffe (mpfs@eng.cam.ac.uk),
including a cv.

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