Senior Research Assistant

at  University of Hertfordshire

Post Title: Senior Research Assistant on Sustainable wear-resistant carbides for energy efficient tool life extension
SBU/Department: School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science
FTE:1.0fte working 37 hours per week
Duration of Contract: Fixed term contract of 24 months
Salary: UH6 £32,296pa with potential to progress to £37,999by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience
Annual Leave: 35 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year
Location: University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB
An exciting opportunity has become available for a Senior Research Assistant to support and deliver on an Innovate UK UK-Singapore Collaborative R&D on the development of sustainable wear-resistant carbide coatings. The project will develop powders that will subsequently be used in additive manufacturing to deposit hard-facing coatings. A fixed-term contract of 24 months is available.
This fixed-term position will support collaborative research work between the University of Hertfordshire and Powderloop (UK), a hard metal manufacturer. The main Singapore partner is Oilfield and Supplies (OSS) who will use the developed powders to wear-resistant hard-facing coatings.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Previous experience on the processing or properties of carbides or cermets / hard materials is essential.
• Previous experience in the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) is essential.
• Previous experience in laser deposition or Additive Manufacturing of metals or ceramics is essential.
• Knowledge of phase relationships and chemical thermodynamics.
• Good communication skills and the ability to write research reports.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Minimum of a Degree (or equivalent level 6 qualification) or higher qualification in a relevant discipline. It is desirable that the successful candidate has or is about to obtain a research degree (a Ph.D. or M.Phil. / M.Sc. by Research) in Materials Science / Engineering.
An appointment to this role may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post ; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made.

The Senior Research Assistant will be responsible for delivering the following:
1. Conduct a literature review on wear-resistant coatings.
2.Together with the project team, develop new carbide compositions. This activity will involve consideration of microstructure, properties, chemical thermodynamics and phase relationships.
3.Characterize the powders using powder characterization techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, etc.
4.Characterize the resulting coatings using SEM, hardness / microhardness measurements, wear testing, nano-indentation, surface measurement, X-ray diffraction and corrosion testing. Additional tests may need to be undertaken depending requirements.
5.Together with the project team, undertake cost and energy analysis of the powder production and coating processes and to recycle powders.