After gaining a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Manchester Metropolitan University, my early career was spent in the automotive industry, initially in testing and homologation of specialist vehicles and then as a design engineer developing steering and suspension for commercial vehicles. During this period I worked for an engineering consultancy and gained experience working with major clients such as Volvo and on secondment at Leyland DAF Trucks.

In 1998 I moved to Manchester Metropolitan University to become the first member of staff at the newly formed Rail Technology Unit. I have subsequently built up a wide range of skills and experience in the field of railway vehicle rigid multi-body dynamics and wheel-rail interface engineering. I have led a range of industrial R&D projects in these specialised areas for the rail industry on-behalf of clients in the UK and worldwide.

Through involvement in a number of research projects I have developed specialist knowledge of rail rolling contact fatigue (RCF) and have led several projects for the Rail Safety and Standards Board researching the fundamental causes of RCF and the application of a range of control measures to be adopted by the industry.

I joined the University of Huddersfield in July 2012 where I am Assistant Director of the Institute of Railway Research.

• Wheel and rail wear, defects and rolling contact fatigue
• Railway asset management
• Improving rail vehicle dynamic performance, including active suspensions
• Wheel-rail interface condition monitoring and inspection
• Use of big data to improve railway operations and safety (SPADs and driver competence)

Click Here to see all postgraduate research opportunities with Dr Julian Stow