1Nanoscale chemical characterisation of high strength Al-6XXX produced with recycled aluminium

Applications are invited for one full-time EPSRC Industrial CASE (ICASE) PhD studentship, at BCAST, Brunel University of London, starting from 1 October 2025.

Successful applicants will receive an annual stipend (bursary) of £23,000 + annual EPSRC increase + extra from Constellium plus payment of their full-time home tuition fees for a period of 48 months (4 years).

Please contact Dr James Famelton at james.famelton@brunel.ac.uk for an informal discussion about the project.

Project description

This project is sponsored by Constellium, a global leading manufacturer of high-quality technically advanced aluminium products and systems. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work alongside our industrial partners and contribute to Constellium’s strategic R&D aims. This includes a 3-month work placement within Constellium’s international business.

The use of recycled aluminium is important for reducing CO2 emissions and moving towards a circular economy. It also presents challenges and opportunities arising from the distribution of elements contained in the recycled aluminium which are not usual found in primary aluminium, such as Pb, Fe and Zn.

The successful applicant will receive expert training and utilise the newly installed state-of-the-art characterisation facilities at BCAST, including Atom Probe Tomography (APT) and Transmission Electron microscopy (TEM).

With these techniques, the project aims to reveal the 3D nano-scale chemical distribution of elements included in the alloy due to the recycling process. This will include characterising the secondary phases particles in the alloy and in particular, interfaces between these phases and the matrix, to observe the segregation behaviour and impact of trace elements.

About BCAST

BCAST, the Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology is about more than just casting and is a speciality research centre in metallurgy with state-of-the-art materials characterisation and processing facilities.

Eligibility

Applicants will have or be expected to receive a first or upper-second-class honours degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, physics, or a similar discipline. A postgraduate master’s degree is not required but may be an advantage.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate a basic understanding of metallic processing and characterisation. Previous familiarity with one or more of, atom probe tomography, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, focussed ion beam microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy is not required but may be an advantage.

In addition, applicants should be highly motivated, able to work independently, as well as in a team and have effective communication skills.

International and UK applicants are eligible.

How to apply

Please submit your application documents (see list below) in one PDF file by noon on 11 April 2025 to cedps-pgr-office@brunel.ac.uk:

  • Your up-to-date CV
  • Your personal statement (300 to 500 words) summarising your background, skills and experience - please remember to state the title of the project at the top of your personal statement
  • Your undergraduate/postgraduate degree certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • Evidence of your English language skills to IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent, 6.0 in all sections), if appropriate
  • Contact details for two referees, one of which can be an academic member of staff in the College

Interviews will take place in April 2025.

Meet the Supervisor(s)

James Famelton - Dr James Famelton started as a research fellow with BCAST in 2022 before taking on the new role of Lecturer in Physical Metallurgy (Constellium) in 2024. Prior to this he completed a DPhil in materials science at the University of Oxford, investigating the solute clusters and precipitates that from in high strength Al-6XXX alloys using atom probe tomography.  His current work focus on nano-scale characterisation of precipitates and solute clusters using atom probe tomography and transmission electron microscopy.