PhD Studentship

3D Virtual System for Training of Nondestructive Testing

The University of Northampton

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The University of Northampton invites applications for a three year full-time studentship based within a state of the art 3D visualisation & immersive technology facility and nondestructive testing (NDT) centre.
Training of NDT practitioners is a costly process and there is reduced access and long waiting lists for real training setups for some NDT methods and techniques. Furthermore, real training exercises provide no detailed information about what affected the trainee's level of performance, how the inspector can maintain good performance or improve poor performance. Therefore, detailed information about the difference between the results obtained by the trainee and the real condition of the component is needed. Licences and arrangements are needed for radiographic NDT methods and obtaining real specimens from defective components, or introducing artificial defects, can be a lengthy and uncertain process. This can be overcome by developing a virtual training platform where NDT trainees will be trained on virtual objects using simulated NDT probes.
The aim of the project is to develop a complete virtual single-module training platform based on 3D immersive technology and haptic devices to substantially improve the training of NDT practitioners. The platform will provide virtual training for ultrasonic testing (UT) inspectors. The project is a step towards the development of a final virtual training platform which will consist of four further virtual training modules.
Applications are welcomed from national or international candidates with a first degree (first or upper second, or equivalent) or a Masters degree in a relevant subject (e.g. engineering, computer science, graphics and visualisation) with some background in nondestructive testing. The applicant must have good programming skills, analytical skills, and good skills in CAD would be a distinct advantage.
Deadline for applications: 12 February 2012
Interviews will be held in the week commencing 20 February 2012
Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Muhammad Zaid (muhammad.zaid@northampton.ac.uk) or Professor Phil Picton (phil.picton@northampton.ac.uk) For an application pack, please email: researchdegrees@northampton.ac.uk
Please quote reference: UN12NDT
£13,590 per annum (including £1000 research expenses budget) and tuition fees for 3 years