LITAC - Changes to Textile Fibres During Manufacturing and their Service Life

LITAC (Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour) hosted by the School of Design, is offering a number of highly competitive PhD scholarships consisting of the award of tuition fees and an annual maintenance stipend that matches UKRI rates (18,622 GBP in 2023/24) along with a significant element of training and development expenses also incorporated within the Scholarship package. The scholarships are available to start in 1st April 2024 or 1st October 2024 at the latest. All candidates must be UK applicants and will be assessed and selection is based on academic merit.<br /> <br /> Doctoral research students in LITAC will develop the ability to pursue research that advances the disciplines of textile technology, textile and fashion design, polymer science, and colour science and technology to find solutions to global challenges using advanced research tools and techniques. They will learn how to derive implications from their research results and communicate their findings to policy makers, practitioners, academics and industrial partners.

<p>Would you like to employ interdisciplinary research and testing methods to drive innovation in the field of textile technology? If you have answered yes to the above, you can become a catalyst for positive change with our ground-breaking new PhD Programme at the University of Leeds&rsquo; School of Design. &nbsp;</p> <p>With the aim of producing actionable and industry-led outputs, our new interdisciplinary collaboration will bring together techniques from textile technology, physics, and mechanical engineering. &nbsp;</p> <p>This exciting research project will employ textile testing and advanced characterisation techniques (such as atomic force microscopy, white light interferometry, and nanotribometers) to quantify the changes in the mechanical properties of the most employed fibres/yarns in response to manufacturing, wear, and environmental variables. &nbsp;</p> <p>Fibres (and yarns) are building blocks of textile products and are key to engineer innovative and sustainable textile products from consumer to industrial applications. The mechanical properties and exposure conditions of the fibres during manufacturing, use and service have a key influence on the performance of a textile products. There is limited understanding of the impact of wear and environmental variables on the mechanical properties of fibres. The research would take place in collaboration with reputed global industrial partners to ensure the commercial relevance of the research, and there will be opportunities to work in close association with industrial partners. &nbsp;</p> <p>The research could impact wider industry and society in many significant ways; helping to elucidate the factors leading to detrimental changes and failure of textile materials, helping brands/industry to engineer sustainable and innovative products, allowing machinery manufacturers to optimise processes to minimise negative impacts on textile materials, and informing future policymaking on the use of textiles.&nbsp;</p> <p>The supervisory team consisting of Professor Muhammad Tausif, Dr Simon Connell, and Professor Michael Bryant, bring a combined wealth of School of Design expertise which provides a unique perspective on textile technology, physics, and mechanical engineering with an eye to addressing some of today&rsquo;s most pertinent challenges within the textiles industry. &nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;</p> <p><u><strong>Industrial Collaborations:</strong></u></p> <p>The successful applicant will join the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/leeds-institute-textiles-colour">Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC)</a>, a collaborative international research Institute that applies academic expertise, working together with external partners, both industrial from across the world, to address global challenges and sustainable development in textile and colour industries. We are focused on the development of innovative science and technology, materials, methods and processes. Technology-driven sustainable development is a major part of our work, hosted by the <a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/design">School of Design</a> at the University of Leeds.&nbsp;</p> <p>The <a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/design">School of Design</a> is a world leading research centre with a focus in creativity and developing innovative materials and manufacturing solutions with interdisciplinary researchers and industrial partners.</p> <p>We have a strong industrial collaboration with UK and international based textiles and natural polymers manufacturing industries. These industrial collaborators will work closely with the PhD student.</p> <p><u><strong>Other Conditions:</strong></u></p> <ul> <li>Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul>

<p><u><strong>Stage 1</strong></u></p> <p>First, apply for a research place of study, through the <a href="http://prod.banner.leeds.ac.uk/ssb/bwskalog_uol.P_DispLoginNon">online application form</a>. Please state clearly that the funding you wish to be considered for is &lsquo;LITAC - Changes to Textile Fibres During Manufacturing and their Service Life&rsquo; with Professor Muhammad Tausif as your proposed supervisor. You will be expected to meet our <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/design-research-degrees/doc/apply-9">eligibility criteria</a> for PHD candidates.</p> <p>In order to be considered for the Studentship you must submit all the required supporting documents for your application for PhD study.</p> <p>Please note that you will not need to submit a Research Proposal as part of your application for this project. In place of a Research Proposal please can you submit a statement which convey&rsquo;s your motivation and enthusiasm for the project as outlined in the Scholarship advert. See stage 2 below.</p> <p>Once you have received your student ID number (a 9-digit number) move onto stage 2.</p> <p><u><strong>Stage 2</strong></u></p> <p>Apply for the LITAC Project &ndash; &lsquo;Changes to Textile Fibres During Manufacturing and their Service Life&rsquo; by completing the<a href="https://leeds.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/litac-scholarship-changes-to-textile-fibres-during-manuf"> Scholarship Application Form</a>. You must submit your scholarship application by 17.00 p.m. 4th of January 2024.</p> <p>The scholarship application includes the supporting statement referenced in Stage 1.&nbsp;This statement should demonstrate your suitability for your intended PhD Project and not be longer than two pages. The statement should specifically include details on your interest in the project and why you have chosen to apply for this in particular. &nbsp;The statement should also include how you will apply your current skills, knowledge and experience to undertake the PhD and the approach you would take to develop the project.</p> <p>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</p>

Applicants should have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in mechanical engineering/physics/textile technology/materials science or another appropriate undergraduate or Masters science/technology/engineering discipline. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for this research degree course are advised to contact Dr Professor Muhammad Tausif (main supervisor) prior to making an application<br />

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study in the School of Design is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

<p>For further information related to the application process please email the Faculty PGR Admissions Team at&nbsp;ahcpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</p> <p>For further information related to the project please contact Professor Muhammad Tausif:&nbsp;M.Tausif@leeds.ac.uk</p>