Research Associate in Laser Surface Texturing for EV Battery Manufacturing
Directorate: School of Engineering & Physical Sciences
Grade: Grade 7 (£37,236 - £47,389)
Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (36 Months)
Detailed Description
The Research Associate (RA) will work on developing and demonstrating laser-based surface texturing for application to electric vehicle battery manufacturing, working with other researchers at the University of Sheffield, the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and the University of West of Scotland to develop a laser texturing / soldering process to provide high quality electrical contact along with the suitability for end-of-life component separation and recycling. The position is part of the EPSRC-funded (£1.7M) project “Sustainable Reversal Of Metallic Adhesive Connections Tailored For Augmenting Net Zero Transportation (SURFACTANT).
The overall approach of the SURFACTANT project is to deliver a flexible manufacturing process by combining surface engineering and active based soldering alloys to remove the use of flux to engineer ‘solderphilic’ and ‘solderphobic’ surfaces enabling connection, separation and reconnection without performance degradation whilst minimising negative environmental impact.
The Heriot-Watt Research Associate will contribute to the SURFACTANT project by undertaking research on laser surface texturing to manufacture optimised engineered surfaces that encompass topography and surface chemistry interactions to locally tailor wettability creating solderphilic and solderphobic responses. They will also contribute to work on the development of suitable process monitoring for both the surface engineering and laser based soldering process for each material combination.
Research Environment
The project will be based in the High-power Laser Applications Laboratories at Heriot-Watt University, working directly with Prof Duncan Hand and Prof Martin McCoustra. There will also be research interactions with the other partners, including collaborative laboratory working and other meetings, for which there will be a requirement to travel.
The RA will report on project progress at weekly meetings within Heriot-Watt, and to quarterly review meetings with our project partners. This will involve the preparation of presentations and reports. We also plan to submit scientific papers on the research outcomes to scientific and/or engineering journals and conferences.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. We are looking for a creative and highly motivated researcher willing to work as part of a team. Good communication skills and an appropriate publication record are essential.
2. General tasks will involve engineering and scientific research; analysis and interpretation of data; daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory; communication with other investigators involved in this collaborative project; preparation of scientific papers; presentation of research at partnership workshops and meetings, as well as national and international conferences.
3. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to experimental design and procedure as part in a collaborative decision-making process, while taking responsibility for implementing experiments, theoretical models and data analysis.
4. Responsibilities will also include assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities, liaising with external collaborators; assisting in the development of student research skills, and contributing to teaching (lab and tutorial demonstrations) in relevant taught courses within Physics and Engineering at Heriot-Watt.
5. The successful candidate is also expected to be involved in our outreach activities, with roles that can be tuned to the specific preferences of the candidate but will involve for example interviews, talks for the general public and preparation of experimental demonstrators for use in schools.
Essential Criteria
1.Place of Work
This role is based on the Heriot-Watt Edinburgh campus, and it is not suitable for remote or hybrid working. It will also include some requirement to travel, including for face-to-face meetings & laboratory work with the project partners: University of Sheffield, AMRC North West, and the University of West of Scotland.
2. Education, Qualifications and Experience
6. A PhD or Engineering Doctorate in a relevant area of Physics or Engineering or related subject (or a thesis submitted by the closing date of the advertised position).
7. Ability to articulate research work, both in written technical reports / papers and by oral presentation.
8. Must have proven academic ability and a demonstrable high level of technical competence in experimental science and the analysis / modelling of the results.
9. Ability to formulate and progress work on own initiative with evidence of research ability: problem solving, flexibility.
3. Skills and Experience
10. Experience with lasers and optics applied to engineering.
11. Experience with applications of high power lasers.
12. Demonstrating strong experimental skills.
13. Leading the writing of scientific papers.
14. Understand and adhere to information security practices particularly as it relates to personal and commercially sensitive information.
15. Energy and enthusiasm for the project.
Desirable Criteria
Skills and Experience
16. Previous experience working in a laser applications research environment.
17. Demonstrating skills & experience in topics relevant to the project, including the following: Laser-based surface processing Sensors for monitoring laser-based processes Laser system set-up and maintenance for laser-based materials processing.
18. Demonstration of / proof of ability to;
19. Lead authorship of experimental development reports / publications.
20. Lead a project and maintain focus on the project aims.
21. Implementation of rigorous engineering processes / scientific method.
22. Exploit innovative technology concepts and emerging manufacturing technologies;
23. Skills of collaborating with senior and junior research team members.
24. Establish a close working relationship with external partners of a research project.
About our Team
Heriot-Watt is pioneering the development of laser-based manufacturing processes and applications and successfully transferring these to a wide range of industrial sectors.
Travel
Travel to project partners for face-to-face technical and review meetings, and for collaborative working.
Annual national conference (2-3 days within the UK) and at least 1 international conference (~ 1 week) are also expected.