Element Six (E6), is a global leader in the design, development and production of synthetic diamond and tungsten carbide supermaterials. Part of the De Beers Group, our primary manufacturing sites are located in UK, Ireland, Germany, South Africa and the US.

Our mission

We put our customers first. Using our technological expertise and industrial leadership we deliver innovative solutions to achieve competitive advantage.

Our vision

With access to the most sophisticated R&D technology and the best minds in the business, the future is full of possibilities…

Employment Equity & Inclusion and Diversity

We are committed to fostering a vibrant workplace culture that is inclusive and embraces our diversity, where we value and respect every colleague for who they are and provide equality of opportunity so that everyone can fulfil their potential, and thrive.

Background checks

Successful candidates will be required to complete a background screening check which may include a criminal check and validation of

qualifications

Job Description

The AIM-NEXT doctoral network is an interdisciplinary research training network of seven universities and six companies from across the Europe.

Currently, the tooling industry is built on critical and scarce raw materials (CRMs). The overall scientific goal of AIM-NEXT is to create and assemble experimental methods, data, computational approaches and to complete the seamless integration of material design for non-CRM tooling. When successful, the project will contribute to a reduced dependency of European market to W and Co critical raw materials which are essential for high performance materials operating under extreme conditions. The project will also provide a framework for accelerated development of future ceramic materials.

Within the AIM-NEXT network ten PhD students will be trained to develop scientific and personal skills forming a solid basis for their future careers in fundamental and applied sciences either in an academic or industrial setting.

In this 4-year fix-term full-time employment commencing between September and October 2024, based out of our Ireland manufacturing site, your doctoral research will consist of:

– Developing production-friendly PcBN superhard materials (PcBN oxynitride and PcBN nitride) whilst optimising materials design-for-manufacturing (DFM) for targeted end applications of machining heat-resistant superalloys (HRSA) by addressing the high cost of production
– Two academic secondment placements of 3 and 6 months taking place at Univerisitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC, Barcelona, Spain) and Lund University (Sweden), respectively
– PhD degree awarded by Lund University upon successful completion of the research work. Enrolment at Lund University Doctoral Program (Faculty of Engineering - LTH).

Duties and tasks

– Designing and manufacturing superhard materials at lab scale whilst optimising cost/performance ratio, ultimately aiming at scaling up production
– Materials evaluation in service-like conditions
– Modelling material degradation in application
– Finding materials design – properties – performance links
– As a Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions fellow, it is also expected that you will contribute disseminating research results through public engagement and other scientific platforms

Qualifications

– Masters of Sciences in Engineering with a focus on Material Science & Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Applied & Technical Physics or equivalent within the research area, where the applicant has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 90 credits of relevance to the field, including at least 60 second cycle credits
– Proficiency in English (accredited: TOEFL, Cambridge University, or similar)
– Demonstrable knowledge experience in conducting experimental, modelling, and simulation work likely obtained in your bachelor's and/or master’s degrees.
– Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ability to work with and through global colleagues and stakeholders at all levels and disciplines in person and virtually
– Familiarity with and ability to maintain health, safety, and quality procedures in a manufacturing environment.
– Teamwork and collaboration skills, to integrate into a multidisciplinary and international work team
– Strong analysis and critical thinking skills essential for thorough exploration of alternative solutions
– identifying and rectifying challenges in the laboratory environment
– Ability to effectively analyse test results and hypotheses, applying problem-solving techniques as needed
– Capacity to quickly find solutions to challenges that arise during experimentation
– Proficiency in documenting outcomes and challenges encountered in laboratory reports
– Advanced research and investigative skills encompassing finding relevant information, organisation, observation, inference drawing, problem analysis, and solution provision
– Role model company values in everything you do
– Fulfil the mobility rules for Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions:
– Applicants can be of any nationality but may not have resided or carried out her/his main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Ireland for more than 12 months in the last 36 months immediately prior to this recruitment.
– Not already in possession of a doctoral degree
–

Desirable

– Scientific and technical skills to work in a clean room, materials processing laboratory, or chemical laboratory.

Additional Information

In order to submit a full appplication, please provide the required information (in English) in one single PDF file with the following order:

- Completed application form.

- Detailed CV (maximum 5 pages) of the candidate

- Motivation letter (máximum 2-page) indicating why you wish to conduct research projects within AIM-NEXT framework, and why you believe you would successfully be able to complete them).

- A scanned copy of certified transcripts of results of Bachelor and Masters’ degrees in relevant discipline.

- English language certificate (if available)

- Any additional files considered relevant to the application.

All required information has to be packed in a single-PDF file in the order showed above and using a file name with the following format: surname_name_DC.pdf

I addition to submiitting this infromation to Element Six,. Please also apply by sending your application (as detailed above) to AIM-NEXT contact address: aimnext@upc.edu indicating as email’s subject “AIM-NEXT DC APPLICATION”.

We regret that we are not able to consider internal candidates for this position if they have resided in Ireland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date due to grant funding requirements.

Doctoral Student Scientist