Research Fellow in Disruptive Additive Manufacturing Microstructures via Beam-Shaping

University College London (UCL) UCL is a multi-disciplinary university with a population of over 13,000 staff and 42,000 students from 150 different countries. Degree programmes are provided in Arts and Humanities, Built Environment, Brain Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Education, Laws, Life Sciences, Mathematical & Physical Sciences, Medical Sciences, Population Health Sciences and Social and Historical Sciences. For more information, please visit  UCL Mechanical Engineering UCL Mechanical Engineering has been pioneering the development of engineering education, having taught the core discipline for over 165 years.

UCL was home to the UK's first ever Professor of the Mechanical Principles of Engineering, Eaton Hodgkinson, in 1847. It was also where Sir Alexander Blackie William Kennedy introduced organized laboratory practicals in university education training; a world-leading educational innovation at the time.

The Multiscale X-ray Imaging Lab (MXI Lab) at the Research Complex at Harwell, Oxfordshire, uses bespoke in situ replicators and ultra-fast synchrotron imaging to reveal the physics of additive manufacturing, working with Diamond Light Source and the ESRF. You will lead the adaptation of our Blown Additive Manufacturing Process Replicator (BAMPR-2) to apply non-Gaussian beam shaping and ultrasound to directed energy deposition (DED), and use synchrotron imaging to show how this transforms solidification microstructures and reduces defects.

You will hold a PhD (or equivalent experience) in materials science, physics or a related engineering discipline, with in-depth knowledge of X-ray imaging and analysis, physical metallurgy and advanced powder processes. Role specific details:
This post is funded in the first instance for 18 months. If you have any queries about the role, please contact A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

You will be accountable for the scientific goals of the project: adapting the in situ DED rig, with a Design Engineer, for a non-Gaussian ring beam and ultrasonic excitation; running laboratory and synchrotron imaging campaigns; and analysing the resulting large datasets to quantify melt pool hydrodynamics, solute transport and microstructure evolution. You will also coordinate the MXI Lab's DED researchers, mentor PhD students, contribute to beamtime proposals, and publish your findings.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits. Please visit  to find out more.

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people and LGBTQI+ people.