ESRF - PhD student at ILL on Advanced Neutron Imaging for Defect Mapping in Repaired Aero-Engine Components

At a glance

Job title: PhD student at ILL on Advanced Neutron Imaging for Defect Mapping in Repaired Aero-Engine Components
Ref.: NS26-ILL36
Contract type: Time-limited contract
Salary range: 33.3K€
Expected deadline of applications: 03/05/2026
Publication start on Front Office : Site internet: 02/03/2026
Contract duration: 3 years (1 year renewable 2 years)

Context & Job description

Thesis subject: Neutron-X-ray Imaging for Defect-Stress Mapping in Laser-Blown-Powder Repaired Aero-Engine Components

You will join the Applied Science Group at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), Grenoble, France and be enrolled at The University of Manchester (UK). ILL operates one of the world’s highest flux research reactors and is an internationally leading facility for neutron science, providing unique capabilities for advanced materials characterisation. The PhD will be conducted at ILL on neutron imaging instruments (NeXT, MoTo, and PorTo) with close interaction with complementary laboratory X-ray imaging facilities at The University of Manchester (UK).

High-value aero-engine components such as blisks operate under extreme thermo-mechanical conditions. Laser-blown-powder (LBP) directed energy deposition is increasingly used to repair such components and extend their service life. However, qualification of repaired metallic components is limited not only by incomplete understanding of internal defect populations (e.g., porosity, lack-of-fusion defects and residual strain), but also by insufficient understanding on how LBP processing parameters generate these defects. In LBP repair, melt pool dynamics, thermal gradients and solidification behaviour are some of many conditions governing microstructural evolution and defect formation, yet the physics linking process conditions to three-dimensional defect distribution in engineering-scale geometries remains underexplored.

The aim of this PhD project is to develop and apply advanced neutron imaging methodologies in order to establish quantitative links between processing conditions, microstructural evolution, residual deformation and defect formation in repaired titanium and nickel-based alloys. The ultimate objective is to generate physics-based insight that supports optimisation and improvement of LBP repair processes.

Further information may be obtained from: Dr. Bratislav Lukic (tel.: +33 4 76 20 73 40, email: lukicb@ill.fr), Dr. Matthew Roy (matthew.roy@manchester.ac.uk), Pr. John Francis john.francis@manchester.ac.uk, Pr. Philip Withers (philip.withers@manchester.ac.uk)

Expected profile

• Degree allowing enrolment for a PhD (such as MSc, Master 2 de Recherche or equivalent) materials science, applied physics, engineering or a closely related science.
• Strong interest in experimental imaging techniques is desirable, knowledge in neutron and/or X-ray imaging and diffraction as well as programming would be an advantage.
• Hands-on skills and attention to detail are essential in this work environment.
• Proficiency in English (A proof of upper-intermediate B2 level must be included in the application. Applicants originating from native-English-speaking countries can apply without the need for proof of level. An official degree conducted in English will be also accepted as a proof). If the applicant is unable to provide proof, an English test (free of charge) will be requested.
• Compliance with the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions mobility rule: candidates may not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host institute’s country for more than twelve months in the three years immediately before the application deadline.
• The candidate must not already be working towards or in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment, and must already hold a master’s degree at the call deadline.
• Candidates must satisfy the conditions for enrolment in a doctoral programme.

Working conditions

The successful candidate will be enrolled in the doctoral school at University of Manchester (UK) and based full-time at the ILL (Grenoble, France), other than at least two months of secondment to Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility (HMXIF, Manchester, UK). Additional visits may be made to the University of Manchester when needed. Furthermore, a varied pedagogical training programme will be offered to the successful candidate throughout the 3-year PhD project.

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Company description

NEXTSTEP will train 36 young and enthusiastic researchers to exploit the unique and transversal capabilities of analytical research infrastructures in tackling the challenges associated with sustainable development and industrial competitiveness in the areas of “Health”, “Digital, Industry & Space”, “Climate, Energy and Mobility” and “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment”, which are at the heart of Horizon Europe. Host laboratories: ESRF and ILL (France), FZJ (Germany), AREA (Italy), NTNU (Norway).