CV
Robin Furze - multiscale computational tribology, University of Leeds.
profile
Research profile
Computational engineer and physicist with a decade of professional experience spanning scientific research, engineering and accountancy. I hold an integrated Master’s degree in Theoretical Physics and returned to academia after ten years as a Chartered Accountant to complete an MSc in Medical Engineering. I am now finishing a PhD in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Fluid Dynamics at the University of Leeds.
My PhD involves developing a novel multiscale model to predict friction and lubrication in total hip replacement bearings, coupling microscale surface physics to macroscale elastohydrodynamic simulations via the Heterogeneous Multiscale Method. The framework is implemented using the finite element method in FEniCS and NGSolve and evaluated through HPC parameter studies. The project is supervised across computer science, mechanical engineering and industry. Expected completion March 2027.
The intervening decade was spent diagnosing and fixing complex technical and operational problems in large organisations: identifying the underlying problem, developing and implementing solutions, delivering to deadlines, and keeping technical and non-technical stakeholders engaged throughout the process and its outcomes.
education
Education
2022 - 2027
PhD, Fluid Dynamics EPSRC CDT in Fluid Dynamics, School of Computer Science, University of Leeds
Thesis: Predicting Friction in Total Hip Replacement Bearings — multiscale computational prediction of friction and lubrication in total hip replacement bearings. Expected completion March 2027.
Supervisors: Prof Peter Jimack (School of Computer Science, Leeds), Dr Gregory de Boer (School of Mechanical Engineering, Leeds), Dr Michael Bryant (School of Engineering, University of Birmingham), Dr Lin Wang and Dr Mazen Al-Hajjar (DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction, Johnson & Johnson MedTech).
2021 - 2022
MSc, Medical Engineering University of Leeds
Project: Design of a Rapid Microfluidic Mixer to Enable the Study of Nanoparticle Phase Change Dynamics.
2007 - 2011
MPhys & BSc, Theoretical Physics (First Class Honours) University of Leeds
MPhys project: Proteins in Flow Fields — the effect of flow on proteins responsible for haemostasis and its medical implications.
professional
Professional experience
Ten years as a Chartered Accountant, working across aerospace, manufacturing and professional services on complex financial and operational problems, including root-cause investigation, system design and implementation, financial modelling, and training finance teams.
2015 - 2021
Special Projects Manager (ACA) Grant Thornton UK LLP, Leeds
Identified and diagnosed business problems and led projects to develop and implement solutions, including system design, financial modelling and training of client finance teams. Managed projects end to end, from initial investigation and project planning through to delivery to deadline.
2011 - 2015
Audit & Accounts Senior (ACA) Lewis Golden LLP, London
Financial statement audits and preparation under UK GAAP and IFRS across a wide range of client industries. Managed engagements with teams of up to four, including supervision, review, training and appraisal. Advised clients on the transition to FRS 102.
2009
Undergraduate Research Bursary Materials & Engineering Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University
Summer research placement investigating the physics of quantum cascade lasers.
publications
Publications
R. Furze, P. K. Jimack, M. Bryant, M. Al-Hajjar, L. Wang and G. de Boer. A transient multiscale framework for elastohydrodynamic lubrication of rough ball-in-socket bearings. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 463 (2027). doi:10.1016/j.cma.2026.119363
A fully transient Heterogeneous Multiscale Method for elastohydrodynamic lubrication in conformal bearings. Microscale simulations of surface roughness provide corrections to the macroscale flow and load-bearing response, enabling friction and lubrication to be predicted without resolving the surface geometry throughout the full bearing simulation. The multiscale model matches a high-resolution deterministic solution to within 3% in minimum film thickness and 3% in pressure at a thirteenfold reduction in computational cost, demonstrated under ASTM F3143 reciprocating hip loading and velocity profiles.
software
Software, code & teaching
2026
rfurze.co.uk — multiscale methods for lubrication Runnable notebooks: HMM, microscale cell problems, macro/micro coupling
Open-source demonstration and teaching code (MIT / CC BY 4.0). Repository · Methods & code
2025 - 2026
HMM Workshop Montgomery, Furze, Baxter-Chapman & de Boer — University of Leeds
Workshop materials on the Heterogeneous Multiscale Method. doi:10.5281/zenodo.21834798
talks
Talks & posters
Sep 2025
[Multiscale Modelling of Transient Hydrodynamic Lubrication in Rough Ball-in-Socket Bearings] 50th Leeds–Lyon Symposium on Tribology, University of Leeds
Contributed talk.
Sep 2024
[Predicting Friction in Total Hip Replacement Bearings: A Multiscale Approach] 49th Leeds–Lyon Symposium on Tribology, Écully, France
Contributed talk.
Sep 2024
[Predicting Friction in Total Hip Replacement Bearings: A Multiscale Approach] UK Fluids Conference, Swansea University
Poster presentation.
teaching
Teaching & outreach
2024 - 2025
Demonstrator — Engineering Computational Methods (MSc) University of Leeds
Demonstrated computational methods and supervised laboratory exercises on a master’s-level engineering module.
skills
Technical skills
Numerical methods — finite element methods, homogenisation, the Heterogeneous Multiscale Method, transient elastohydrodynamic lubrication, fluid–structure interaction.
Scientific computing — Python, FEniCS, NGSolve, PETSc, MATLAB, OpenFOAM; finite-element modelling; parallel and distributed computation; HPC.
Professional — project and stakeholder management, financial modelling, technical communication with non-specialist audiences.
References available on request.