UK : PhD studentship - Knowledge-based environment to support leanPPD

Cranfield University

Academic Supervisors: Dr. Ahmed Al-Ashaab and Dr. Essam Shehab

Duration: 3 years

Supported by the EU-PF7, a studentship of £15,000 p.a. for 3 years plus fees* is available.

As the technical leader of the Lean Product and Process Development project (LeanPPD), which seeks to address European manufacturing companies need for a new model that goes beyond lean manufacturing, Cranfield has an exciting research opportunity available for a motivated graduate. This research aims to develop a knowledge-based environment by using relevant knowledge from projects completed by an associated company, in order for the designers to initiate a new set of design solutions within a LeanPPD model. The environment will capture the interrelations of the knowledge from previous projects and facilitate the generation of the trade-off curves to determine the critical characteristics and performance parameters of the set of conceptual designs to narrow the set into an optimised design solution.

Cranfield University is a member of a consortium, alongside several European universities, research centres and industrial partners, including Rolls-Royce, Visteon Engineering Services, Indesit, Sitech and Volkswagen A.G., which have been awarded funding from the EU-PF7 for this four year LeanPPD project (2009-2013). The overall aim of the LeanPPD project is to develop a new model based on lean thinking that will consider the entire product life cycle, providing a knowledge based environment to support value creation to the customers in terms of innovation, customisation and quality, as well as sustainable and affordable products.

Cranfield University’s Decision Engineering centre is pioneering the research and development work across Europe into the adoption and application of lean thinking in product design and development. The centre has an international reputation for its expertise in cost engineering, knowledge management and product development, and has been involved in leading national and international research and consultancy projects. This exciting research position supports the continued growth of Cranfield’s research portfolio in product design and development. This work will involve travelling within UK and Europe.

Closing date: 6th November 2009

Start date: ASAP

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have a First or Second Class UK Honours degree (or equivalent) or MSc in a relevant discipline such as mechanical engineering, manufacturing/industrial engineering, information technology, or other relevant engineering disciplines. In addition, some experience in product development, lean thinking and knowledge modelling, as well as knowledge discovery, would be beneficial. The researcher will require technical report writing, organisation, analytical, communication (oral and written), technical paper and article writing, and client handling skills.

Funding

*Supported by the EU-PF7, this studentship will cover the tuition fees at the UK/EU rate only. Non UK/EU students will have to pay the remainder of their tuition fees up front before commencing their studies. Applicants are also eligible for a bursary of up to £15,000 p.a. for three years dependent upon qualifications and experience.

How to apply

Please submit a CV and complete the application form at: www.cranfield.ac.uk/prospectus/app/pgappform.pdf

Alternatively, for more information and an application form please contact:

School of Applied Sciences

T: 44 (0)1234 754086

E: appliedsciences@cranfield.ac.uk