The Glass and Facade Technology Research Group. University of Cambridge.

<body bgcolor="#ffffff"> <p>The Glass & Facade Technology (gFT) Research Group provides solutions to real world challenges in the field of structural glass and facade engineering through fundamental and application-driven research.<br /> <br /> The gFT Research Group consists of a core research team based at the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge supported by a multi-disciplinary network of collaborators in other research centres and in industry. This set-up enables the group to approach problems and identify opportunities across the disciplines.<br /> <br /> The group was founded by Dr Mauro Overend in 2005 and was originally based at the University of Nottingham. The group moved to the University of Cambridge in 2007.<br /> <br /> Aim<br /> <br /> The Glass and Facade Technology (gFT) research group aims to provide solutions to real-world applications and disseminate knowledge in the field of glass structures and facade engineering by undertaking fundamental, application-driven and inter-disciplinary research.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Set-up<br /> <br /> The research group consists of a core group of researchers based at the University of Cambridge's Department of Engineering. This core group is supported by a network of researchers in other centres of excellence located at the University of Cambridge, the United Kingdom and Internationally.<br /> <br /> This set-up allows the group to draw from the latest developments and the multi-disciplinary expertise including: structural engineering; construction technology; wind engineering; computational mechanics; architectural materials; building physics; materials science and sustainability. The group also works closely with national and international industrial partners.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Research Priority Areas<br /> <br /> The research undertaken by the gFT research group ranges from energy exchange through building envelopes to structural performance of glass and other facade components. The projects we undertake address one or more of the following research themes:<br /> <br /> � High performance and smart skins<br /> � Transparent structures<br /> � Optimised and integrated design / construction processes<br /> <br /> Most of our projects are grant-aided or industry-funded research and involve close collaboration with industrial partners such as glass producers and processors, cladding manufacturers, facade contractors, consulting engineers and architectural practices.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Research Output & Other Activities<br /> <br /> The group produces several papers and publications and is involved in the development and writing of national and international standards. The group is represented at national and international professional societies and at major international conferences. The gFT research group also carries out project-specific glass / facade consultancy and testing.<br /> <br /> <br /> We are constantly looking for outstanding individuals and forward-looking organisations to contribute to our research objectives. Whether you are based in industry and want to collaborate with our group, or you are a researcher based at another institution and your are seeking collaboration, or you are a prospective researcher interested in joining our group, we would be very interested to hear from you.<br /> <br /> Industrial Partners<br /> <br /> �The recognised benefits of engineering innovation range from economic impacts at a global and national level to the improved quality of life for individuals. In the building industry, innovation driven by research provides the key to competitive success and enables consulting engineers, building contractors and manufacturers to obtain and maintain strategic advantage by acquiring new knowledge and deploying this knowledge through new services or products. Adopting R&D as a core business strategy also has the added benefit of improving staff retention within a company.� - Research Update by Dr M Overend, The Structural Engineer (Oct 2008).<br /> <br /> Much of our research is application-driven. So whether you are seeking to develop a long term partnership with our group or whether you have niggling question that we may be able to help with, we are always keen to hear from you.<br /> <br /> We have several live industrial partnerships ranging from large multi-national manufacturers to small consulting engineering practices. The different categories of industrial partnerships we currently have are:<br /> <br /> Prospective researchers / PhD Students<br /> <br /> Positions are available for students wishing to undertake a PhD degree or post-doctoral research in the research priority areas.<br /> <br /> If you are lucky enough to have already sorted out the financing of your research you should familiarise yourself with the application procedure.<br /> <br /> If on the other hand you are seeking funding for your research, do not despair! There are several sources of funding for outstanding UK, EU and international candidates. Funding may either be associated with a particular research grant within gFT or funding may be available through the Cambridge Trusts. In addition, overseas candidates may be eligible for national scholarships back home. The Commonwealth Scholarship scheme, for example, is open to citizens of the Commonwealth countries, in open competition amongst candidates for any field of study at any University.<br /> <br /> In either case you are encouraged to contact us for an informal discussion about your research proposal.<br /> <br /> Your application should be in at least 9 months, preferably one year ahead of your desired starting date, and please be mindful of the closing dates for scholarship applications.<br /> <br /> Researchers from other institutions<br /> <br /> We are always happy to collaborate with other talented and motivated researchers. If you are a researcher and you think that collaboration with us would be mutually beneficial please do contact us. We will explore ways of working together which may include sharing of research data, joint research publications, joint research proposals, and funding for research exchanges from / to Cambridge.</p> </body>