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SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL and MINING ENGINEERING / SCHOOL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 

The School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering and School of Chemical Engineering at UQ have unique multidisciplinary focus with leading-edge researchers working at the interface of the university and industry. The Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) focuses on innovation through the development and application of new materials across four programs: Aircraft platforms, Maritime platforms, Armour applications and Propulsion systems. This project is fully funded by DMTC at UQ.

The project:We are seeking a PhD candidate to join a multi-disciplinary team that includes chemists, chemical engineers, materials engineers and industry partners.

Project scope:Corrosion of metal parts on aircraft and other defence materials is a multibillion dollar problem and often commences with the failure by cracking of the protective coating. The project will focus on understanding the mechano-chemical rate determining step and mechanisms of crack initiation for aircraft coatings. Specifically we will determine initiation mechanism and chemical and mechanical effects on initiation, and model spreading of chemical degradation in thin (polyurethane/epoxy primer) film coatings. Particular attention will be placed on the effect of intrinsic and externally applied mechanical stresses.

The person: Applicants should have a background in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related disciplines. Skills in materials characterisation, product lifetime modelling, and quantitative analysis of research results are desirable.