Working with FORD and the ARC Training Centre in Lightweight Automotive Structures this project will develop the relationships between processing-microstructure and properties required for additively manufactured Aluminium alloys to be used in automotive applications.

Value and duration:

Scholarship is valued at up to $31,298 per annum for 3 years with a possible 6 month extension

It is a condition of the scholarship that the successful applicant accumulates 1-year of industry-based research training with the ATLAS industry partner during their candidature

Eligibility:

  • be an Australian citizen, or Australian permanent resident
  • hold first class honours or 2a honours in engineering (mechanical, materials, chemical, manufacturing, aerospace) science (chemistry, physics) or equivalent.
  • provide evidence of good oral and written communication skills
  • demonstrate an ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary research team
  • meet RMIT University’s entry requirements for the Higher Degree by Research programs

Apply:

To apply, please submit the following documents to Prof Stuart Bateman, Director ARC Training Centre in Lightweight Automotive Structures:

  • curriculum vitae
  • academic transcripts

Prospective candidates will be required to submit an application for admission to the PhD Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering program (DR215) as per instructions available on the School of Engineering website.

Scholarship applications will only be successful if prospective candidates are provided with an offer for admission.

Open date:

Applications are now open.

Close date:

Applications will close when a candidate is selected.

Further information:

One PhD scholarship is available to conduct research into lightweight automotive alloys as a part of the ARC Training Centre in Lightweight Automotive Structures (https://atlas-innovation.com.au/). Working in close partnership with researchers and technical experts from Ford in a multi-disciplinary team environment, the successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to develop an understand of how to optimise the properties of additive manufacturing of Aluminium alloys for automotive applications.  Aluminium alloys are already being used extensively within the automotive industry to reduce weight and greenhouse gas emissions.  Being able to understand the processing-microstructure-property relationships will increase the rate of take up of these alloys.

The project will provide numerous research and development opportunities including:

  • Being part of the wider ARC Training Centre Community which includes 14 partners over 3 continents.
  • Conducting at least 12 months of the research project (over the course of the PhD) embedded within industry
  • Evaluation of how alloy chemistry and processing conditions affect performance critical properties for additively manufactured automotive aluminium alloys.
  • Relating performance of alloys to the structure of the alloys at various length scales, from nano-scale to component level.

Mastering analytical techniques including: scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, mechanical property assessment, additive manufacturing.

Contact:

For further information please contact:

Professor Mark Easton

Associate Dean (Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics)

Contact details:

E: mark.easton@rmit.edu.au

T: +61 3 9925 6278

Mr Richard Taube

Deputy Director, ARC Training Centre in Lightweight Automotive Structures

University Programs Manager

Ford Motor Company of Australia

E: rtaube1@ford.com

*RMIT Research Scholarship terms and conditions of Engineering website.

T: +61 3 9925 6672

Please refer to each scholarship for specific application processes.

For further Enquiries: please send via email to atlas-innovation@rmit.edu.au