The Center for Heat Treating Excellence (CHTE) is seeking a candidate to take part in research and development activities within the center. CHTE is located within the Metal Processing Institute at WPI and serves industrial members from the heat treating industry. CHTE bridges industrial research and development with academia (science), engaging in both industrial development as well as scientific work. The focus of the center is on surface engineering and heat treatment of metallic materials to improve materials performance. The candidate is expected to contribute to the research goals of the CHTE and work on projects defined by the industrial members. The initial project assignments will depend on the candidate's expertise.
The candidate is expected to support the following activities in the center:
1. Heat treatment of metals.
2. Thermochemical surface engineering.
3. Thermomechanical response of materials.
4. Microstructure optimization.
5. Tailoring of surface properties by surface engineering methods.
6. Process development (heat treatment & surface engineering).
7. Simulation of processes and materials properties/performance.
8. Advanced microstructure characterization of metallic materials (e.g., light optical and electron microscopy, indentation techniques, and X-ray diffraction).
9. Operate new advanced equipment (dilatometry, calorimetry, thermogravimetry).
10. Supervise and collaborate with undergraduate, master's, and Ph.D. research students.
11. Maintain research relationships for the research group with internal and external collaborators.
12. Work closely with industrial members.
13. Write funding proposals to funding agencies and technical documentation (technical reports).
14. Publish in relevant scientific and technical journals.
15. Disseminate at relevant scientific and technical conferences and seminars.
The successful candidate will have a strong background in Materials Science and Engineering (with emphasis on metals), laboratory experience, and demonstrated (independent) technical & scientific work, contributing to experimental plans, data collection, and analysis.
It is required that the candidate has:
1. A Ph.D. degree in Materials Science and Engineering.
2. A background in metallurgy.
3. Strong understanding of how microstructures affect properties and how processing can be used to design microstructures.
4. Demonstrated technical leadership in project management and product development.
5. Motivation and drive - and willingness to take ownership of projects for which they are responsible.
6. Materials characterization experience, including XRD, LOM, SEM & indentation techniques.
7. Demonstrated strong communication skills (publications and presentations at conferences).
8. Peer-reviewed publications in relevant fields.
9. Proficient in English (both written and oral).
10. Ability to work in a small team atmosphere.
It is desired but not required that the candidate has:
1. A Ph.D. thesis related to heat treatment of metallic materials (e.g., steels).
2. A background in surface engineering and/or heat treatment of metals.
3. Experience with dilatometry and calorimetry/thermogravimetry.
4. Experience with gas-metal interactions (e.g., high-temperature corrosion & thermochemical treatment).
5. Strong understanding of steels and alloys containing interstitial elements.
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