Research Fellow in Oxide-Dispersion-Strengthened Magnesium Alloys

Magnesium alloys offer exceptional lightweighting potential for aerospace and space applications, but their wider use in extreme environments is limited by challenges including microstructural instability, temperature fluctuations and irradiation-induced damage. At the same time, oxide inclusions formed during casting and manufacturing are conventionally regarded as detrimental to structural performance. This project seeks to turn these liabilities into assets by exploiting solid-state, friction-based manufacturing to create finely dispersed oxide nanoparticles in magnesium alloys, enabling the development of oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) magnesium alloys with enhanced thermal stability, high-temperature performance and radiation resistance.

You will work within the research group led by Dr Dikai Guan at the University of Southampton on an NSF-EPSRC research project. The project brings together the University of Southampton, Baylor University, UK National Ion Beam Centre, integrating alloy processing, friction-based manufacturing, multiscale characterisation, modelling and extreme-environment testing. The position is offered until 31/05/2028 in the first instance, with the possibility of extension for up to 1 further year.

The Research Fellow will be a major contributor to the experimental research activities at the University of Southampton, including:
- Feedstock alloy development and characterisation
- Multiscale microstructure characterisation
- Cryogenic and thermal-cycling testing
- Radiation-resistance testing

You will have a good track record in carrying out independent and original scientific research, and publication of research papers. You should have the ability to work and communicate efficiently with other members of the team (supervisors, students and postdocs), and collaborators outside the University. Regular reports of research progress are required, and research plans should be adjusted accordingly. Critical analysis of experimental results and problem solving skills are essential to this role. You will also be required to write research papers for publication in high impact research journals and attend/present at relevant conferences. There will be an opportunity to supervise PhD and Master students as a secondary supervisor.

You should hold a PhD (or near completion) / relevant experience in materials science or a relevant discipline. Research experience in physical metallurgy, metallic materials and advanced microstructure characterisation is particularly relevant to this position. Experience with SEM/EDS and EBSD, together with TEM/STEM or related high-resolution characterisation techniques, is highly desirable. Experience in oxide-dispersion-strengthened materials, metal casting, friction-based processing, cryogenic testing, thermal cycling, ion irradiation, or other advanced characterisation methods would be advantageous.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to the ethos in the School of Engineering. We give full consideration to applicants who wish to work flexibly including part-time and due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. The University has onsite childcare facilities and we foster a good work-life balance. We also offer a mentorship programme and the school runs a women-oriented network event on a bi-weekly basis.

The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and the top 10 of the UK's research-intensive universities. We are committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university, with the principles of sustainability embedded into all aspects of our individual and collective work, in our business planning, policy-making, and professional activities.