Job Description

About the Group

The Surface Remanufacturing Technology (SRT) Group at ARTC develops advanced surface engineering, coating, and finishing technologies for industrial applications. Projects are often industry-driven or competitively funded, involving both fundamental R&D and translation into practical, production-scale processes.

Role Summary

You will lead and execute research in spray coating technologies, spanning atmospheric pressure plasma(APP), ultrasonic spray, vacuum plasma spray (VPS), cold/hybrid spray, etc., to develop new processes and materials, optimise performance, and ensure scalability & reliability. The role involves experimental design, materials and process characterisation, technology integration, and collaboration with internal stakeholders and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead R&D efforts in spray coating processes: APP / VPS, ultrasonic spray, vacuum plasma spray, cold/hybrid spray, etc.
• Design, setup, and conduct coating trials; optimise process parameters (e.g. temperature, spray distance, feedstock, carrier gas, dwell time) to meet functional requirements (adhesion, hardness, wear / corrosion resistance, hydrogen embrittlement resistance etc.).
• Select or develop coating materials (powders, liquids), pre-/post-treatment processes, and investigate their effects on microstructure and performance.
• Perform materials and microstructural characterisation: sample preparation (sectioning, mounting, polishing, etc.), microscopy (optical, SEM), spectroscopy, XRD, hardness / mechanical testing, etc.
• Troubleshoot and improve process stability, reproducibility, and scalability; understand failure modes and address issues.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (materials scientists, mechanical engineers, surface metrology experts) and with industrial partners for technology transfer.
• Stay up to date on emerging spray coating technologies and guide incorporation of new techniques (e.g. VPS, advanced feedstocks, hybrid processes).

Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

• PhD degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Surface Engineering, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in at least one or more spray coating technologies (APP / ultrasonic spray / vacuum plasma spray / cold spray / etc.).
• Solid understanding of materials science fundamentals: phase transformations, microstructure, adhesion, thermal effects, etc.
• Experience with material characterisation tools: microscopy (optical, SEM), XRD, hardness testing, etc.
• Ability to design experiments, optimise process parameters, analyse data, and draw actionable conclusions.

Desirable:

• Experience in scale-up / pilot / industrial implementations of coating processes.
• Knowledge of post-coating treatments (heat treatment, polishing, sealing, etc.).
• Familiarity with surface metrology and performance testing (wear, corrosion, fatigue).
• Project management experience; ability to guide junior researchers / engineers / lab officers
• Good communication skills (technical writing, presentations), and ability to collaborate with internal & external stakeholders.