Supervisors:  Professor Hassan Abdalla, Dr Haris Mouratidis & John Ladbrook, Simulation Technical Expert at Ford Motors Company

Duration of PhD Award: 3 years

Supported by Ford Motors Company and Research Council EPSRC 

Project Description

This is a great opportunity for a highly talented graduate who wishes to develop their skills and career by working at the world class Ford Motors Company. The successful candidate will develop multi-disciplinary skills in computer modelling, manufacturing systems, simulation, production line monitoring, and system engineering. During the research programme, there will be opportunities for further training, for travel, and for attendance at national and international conferences.

The research will be undertaken in collaboration with the Ford Motor Company’s Manufacturing Engineering Power Train (MEPT) department where simulation modelling is integral to the decision making process in the design and improvement of their manufacturing systems. Ford’s MEPT are continually improving their simulation modelling tools and underlying models to deliver efficiency improvements and allow the evaluation of proposed changes to their manufacturing systems. To meet these challenges there is a need within the project to develop a direct relationship between the simulation model and an actual system which results in a ready-to-use model. The student will spend a portion of their time working on the project at the Dunton Engineering and Research Centre, the largest automotive technical centre in the UK, where a new generation of environmentally friendly engines and vehicle technologies are currently being developed. The results of this research will potentially be applicable internationally at other Ford engine manufacturing sites.

Value of the Award and Eligibility

Support includes an annual stipend for three years, PhD registration fees at UK/EU student rate, research expenses, general training funds and some travel costs.
Due to UK Border Agency restrictions for sponsorship, applicants must be UK/EU citizens or have a valid work permit which will last for the duration of the project.

Applications will be considered until a suitable candidate has been identified. Therefore early applications are encouraged, as this position must be filled by September 2012.

Person Specification

Applicants should have, or expect to obtain, a 1st or 2:1 degree, or equivalent, in Computer Sciences & Informatics, Engineering or Mathematics.

Study information

Study duration: 3 years

Funding information

Funder: The ESRC stipend is approximately £15,726 per annum, plus fee for the PhD over three years.

How to apply:

Please contract Professor Hassan Abdalla – Dean of School h.s.abdalla@uel.ac.uk for further enquiries. To request an application form and for application submission please email Candice Richards c.richards@uel.ac.uk