Rolls-Royce sponsored PhD scholarship: Mechatronics system for hybrid manufacturing processing

Applicants are invited to undertake a three year PhD programme in partnership with industry to address key challenges in on-platform manufacturing engineering. The successful candidate will be based at the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) in Manufacturing and On-Wing Technology at the University of Nottingham.

At the Rolls-Royce UTC we are developing the next generation of robots and its sensing solutions to perform tasks in challenging working environments.

This project is related to the development of smart mechanisms and sensing to support the aforementioned tasks with the following actions:

• Develop the principles and theories for governing the scalability principles for building foldable and reconfigurable end-effectors that are able to access geometrically complex workspaces under positional restrictions
• Develop smart control algorithms that will allow the end-effectors to communicate with the central control system and coordinate tasks with other end-effectors and host robots
• Smart sensing systems to support automated manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul. We refer here not only to conventional sensing e.g. vision, and orientation that are commonly integrated on the end-effectors, but on advanced (e.g. tactile, sound-based, shape) solutions that enhance the perception of the end-effectors so that versatile tasks can be performed. 

Candidate requirements

We are seeking talented candidates with:

• First or upper second class degree in Robotics/Mechanical/Cybernetics/Mechatronics /Computer Science or related scientific discipline
• First rate analytical and numerical skills, with a well-rounded academic background
• Demonstrated ability to develop precision mechatronics system and algorithm
• Ability to develop kinematic and/or dynamic analysis of mechanical/robotic systems
• Ability to implement control and kinematics with hardware-in-the–loop
• Background with relevant packages (MATLAB, SolidWorks/Creo, ROS/ OpenCV/ python, LabVIEW/C languages)
• A driven, professional and self-dependent work attitude is essential
• Experience of working within industry will be an advantage
• The ability to produce high quality presentations and written reports

This is an excellent opportunity to work on a novel mechatronics system with strong links to industrial applications and key skills and knowledge in preparation for a high-impact, high-technology research or industrial career

Funding

The scholarship on offer comprises a tax-free stipend of approximately £19,237 a year, tuition fees paid and a generous study package.

Eligibility and how to apply

• Applications are primarily open to UK candidates, as well as outstanding international candidates who demonstrate exceptional suitability for the role
• Applications with a CV, cover letter and academic transcripts should be emailed to Professor Dragos Axinte. Suitable applicants will be interviewed, and if successful, invited to make a formal application. Do not submit your application via the My Nottingham platform without having contacted our team first
• Please contact the UTC Director, Professor Dragos Axinte, for further information
• Due to the high volume of applications we will only be contacting shortlisted candidates. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is appointed.