PhD Research Studentship in Natural Fibre Bio-composite

Brunel University,UK

Candidates are welcome to apply for a PhD studentship in a 3-year project – “Novel Bio-Composites Based on Whole Utilisation of Wheat Straw” funded by DEFRA and HGCA.

Through this collaborative research between industrial and research partners, the consortium led by Brunel University is to address the scientific and technical problems in materials formulation
/processing, product design/manufacturing, enhancement of functionality/ performance as well as economical/environmental assessment so as to develop a series of cost-effective bio-composites and products, which satisfy diverse technical and environmental performance requirements in the industrial sectors across packaging, horticulture, building/construction and shooting sports.

Candidates should have at lease 2i (UK grade or equivalent) or MSc in Materials Engineering or Chemical Engineering. Research experience/knowledge in one or more of the following areas would be an advantage:

• Materials from renewable resources (e.g. biopolymers/cellulose/starch etc.);
• Fibre reinforced polymer/biopolymer composites;
• Polymeric materials processing technologies (e.g. extrusion/compounding/moulding);
• Characterisations of materials (e.g. thermal, mechanical and chemical properties);
• Chemical/physical modification of materials.

A Full CV and a covering letter should be sent to Professor Jim Song (jim.song@brunel.ac.uk) before 15th July 2007.