Sustainable colloidal and particulate lubricants

Applications are invited for a Postgraduate Research studentship, supported by Futamura Chemical UK LTD to be undertaken within the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence at Aston University. The successful applicant will join the Wilson-Whitford research group working on the development of new sustainable colloidal and particulate-based lubricant sprays and greases. Location This position will be based on the Aston Campus in Birmingham, UK. The successful candidate will need to be located within a reasonable distance of the campus, and will be expected to visit in-person regularly. Overseas Applicants Overseas students are welcome to apply for this position. Details of the Project Background – High-performance synthetic polymers and colloids represent classes of non-degradable, chemically inert materials that are essential for producing thermal- and chemical-resistant, hard-wearing mechanical lubricants. These materials are unmatched in their overall performance and are highly economical, making them widespread across industries such as aerospace, automotive, industrial processing, and electronics. In particular, they are formulated as highly penetrative particulate sprays and particle-based greases that can be applied to moving components in mechanical systems. However, the long-term environmental persistence of many of these materials has raised significant concerns regarding contamination of food chains and water supplies, making them a key focus of emerging policy changes. Consequently, there is an urgent need for an alternative, sustainable lubricant system capable of fulfilling this critical industrial role. This PhD project will focus on developing a sustainable alternative to conventional particle-based lubricants and greases through the creation of new particle technologies. The challenge will be addressed using a combination of synthetic polymer chemistry, colloidal science, and materials engineering. Working within the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME) and in collaboration with Futamura Chemical UK Ltd., the project aims to contribute to the development of future-ready technology capable of replacing existing high-performance lubricant systems and securing a more sustainable path forward for this technology area. Aims and Methods – The aim of this work is to develop a colloidal and/or particulate lubricant system, using materials with low environmental persistence, with the overall aim of developing a commercially viable technology. This project will use a combination of modern polymer and colloidal chemistry to synthesise and functionalise particles with unique rheological behaviour, and will then incorporate them into lubricant spray and grease formulations. The library of new lubricant systems will then be performance tested against commercially available lubricant systems, using a variety of techniques, including aerosol generation and analysis, rheology and microrheology, microscopy and image analysis. The above methodologies will be used to tackle 3 key objectives: Develop a sustainable particle system which can be formulated into lubricant sprays and greases. Characterise the rheological behaviour and assess their viability as lubricants using a variety of macroscopic and microscopic analysis methods. Work with industry to move technology towards a commercially viable product. This project will involve working in both an academic and industrial environment and will give the candidate experience in both areas, including research secondments to Futamura Chemical UK LTDs production site in Cumbria. Person Specification Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, EITHER: A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1. OR A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1, and a Masters degree in a relevant subject with an award of Merit or higher. Qualifications from other countries which are considered by Aston University to be equivalent to that described above will be eligible to apply. This project aims to develop sustainable alternatives to particle-based lubricant sprays and greases. As such, research on this project would be working across Chemistry, Engineering and Physics to synthesise new materials and to experimentally characterise their fundamental physical behaviour and performance as lubricants. The ideal candidate will have a degree in chemistry, physics or engineering with experience working in a wet-lab environment. It would be advantageous for the candidate to have experience in microscopy and rheology. However, the candidate will be trained so that they leave the program as a comprehensively interdisciplinary scientist. Applicants from minority backgrounds and Women in STEM are particularly encouraged to apply. Contact information For formal enquiries about this project contact s.wilson-whitford@aston.ac.uk Submitting an application We can only consider applications that are complete and have all supporting documents. Applications that do not provide all the relevant documents will be automatically rejected. Your application must include: English language copies of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor degrees. A Research Statement detailing your understanding of the research area, how you would approach the project, and a brief review of relevant literature. Be sure to use the title of the research project you are applying for. There is no set format or word count. A personal statement which outlines any further information which you think is relevant to your application, such as your personal suitability for research, career aspirations, possible future research interests, and further description of relevant employment experience. A Curriculum Vitae (Resume) which details your education and work history. Two academic referees who can discuss your suitability for independent research. References must be on headed paper, signed and dated no more than 2 years old. At least one reference should be from your most recent University. You can submit your references at a later date if necessary. Evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. If you do not currently meet the language requirements, you can submit this at a later stage. A copy of your passport. Where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status. Interviews Interviews will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted directly with details of the interview. Apply for this position here Alternatively, apply here If you require further information about the application process, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions team at pgr_admissions@aston.ac.uk

Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, EITHER:

A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1.
OR

A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1, and a Masters degree in a relevant subject with an award of Merit or higher.
Qualifications from other countries which are considered by Aston University to be equivalent to that described above will be eligible to apply.

This project aims to develop sustainable alternatives to particle-based lubricant sprays and greases. As such, research on this project would be working across Chemistry, Engineering and Physics to synthesise new materials and to experimentally characterise their fundamental physical behaviour and performance as lubricants. The ideal candidate will have a degree in chemistry, physics or engineering with experience working in a wet-lab environment. It would be advantageous for the candidate to have experience in microscopy and rheology. However, the candidate will be trained so that they leave the program as a comprehensively interdisciplinary scientist. Applicants from minority backgrounds and Women in STEM are particularly encouraged to apply.

We can only consider applications that are complete and have all supporting documents. Applications that do not provide all the relevant documents will be automatically rejected. Your application must include:

English language copies of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor degrees.

A Research Statement detailing your understanding of the research area, how you would approach the project, and a brief review of relevant literature. Be sure to use the title of the research project you are applying for. There is no set format or word count.

A personal statement which outlines any further information which you think is relevant to your application, such as your personal suitability for research, career aspirations, possible future research interests, and further description of relevant employment experience.

A Curriculum Vitae (Resume) which details your education and work history.

Two academic referees who can discuss your suitability for independent research. References must be on headed paper, signed and dated no more than 2 years old. At least one reference should be from your most recent University. You can submit your references at a later date if necessary.

Evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. If you do not currently meet the language requirements, you can submit this at a later stage.

A copy of your passport. Where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.

Interviews

Interviews will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted directly with details of the interview.

Apply for this position here

Alternatively, apply here

If you require further information about the application process, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions team at pgr_admissions@aston.ac.uk