Doctoral Researcher Position in Fatigue of WAAM Structures

Doctoral Researcher Position in Fatigue of WAAM Structures

Aalto University Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering is a community of around 300 staff members – including 30 tenure-track professors – assembled to research, teach, create, and develop solutions to society’s needs. Key research areas include marine and arctic technology; energy technologies and systems; mechanical systems and mechatronics; and materials, manufacturing, and product development. We have strong links to industry, creating lasting impact in both business and society.

Are you a passionate developer of the new era in fatigue design of sustainable structures?

We are now looking for a fully funded Doctoral Researcher position focused on fatigue modelling of Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) components and structures. The position is embedded in the EU-funded FATDED project. The doctoral researcher position is in the Advanced Marine Structures group, led by Professors Heikki Remes and Jani Romanoff, which is well known for its research on the fatigue of advanced welded structures and the interaction of materials and structures under practical design and production constraints. The position will also be supported by the FATDED Consortium, which includes leading European experts and companies in the field.

Your role and goals

In this position, your doctoral research will focus on how WAAM-induced geometric and material imperfections affect fatigue strength. You will identify repeating surface features in WAAM builds and investigate suitable geometry and material properties to quantify their effects on fatigue life. Theoretical and numerical modelling will be validated with fatigue experiments. The key feature of the investigation is the role of local geometry imperfections, such as undercuts, in explaining their link to local stress–strain fields and fatigue crack initiation. Your research work will contribute to the development of international guidelines for fatigue design of WAAM components and structures.

This doctoral project integrates detailed geometry and microstructure with physics-based simulation to understand fatigue in WAAM components. The work involves characterizing as-built surfaces and reconstructing them into high-fidelity finite element models that preserve key geometric features. Simulations will estimate local stress concentrations and cyclic strain to assess fatigue life, guided by measurements of spatially varying material properties and microstructural features such as grain size. The simulation results will be validated with full-field deformation data and fatigue experiments, culminating in a predictive framework that links WAAM surface and microstructural heterogeneity to fatigue initiation and life.

Your experience and ambitions

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in mechanical or materials engineering, applied mechanics, naval architecture, or a related field. A strong background in fatigue, solid and structural mechanics, materials behavior, or additive manufacturing is appreciated. Finite element analysis, meshing complex geometries, and experimental data interpretation for validation are considered necessary for the work. A strong command of English and the ability to work primarily on campus are essential. In addition, the following skills are considered assets, but they can also be learnt during doctoral studies: experience with surface scanning and point-cloud processing, hardness-to-property correlations, constitutive modelling, microstructural analysis via SEM/EBSD, and scripting in Python or MATLAB.

What we offer

The position offers a meaningful research topic with high industrial relevance and impact through the EU FATDED consortium, strong supervision and mentoring, and access to state-of-the-art experimental facilities and numerical modelling resources. You will have ample professional development opportunities through courses, workshops, and project collaborations, as well as a competitive doctoral-researcher salary of 3,143–3,742 €/month. We at Aalto University promote a healthy work–life balance with a hybrid work model; your primary workplace will be Aalto University’s Otaniemi campus (Espoo), which offers excellent services and transport links. You will join an inclusive community guided by Aalto’s values of responsibility, courage, and collaboration.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your application by July 31, 2026 (23:59 EET) through our recruiting system by using the "Apply now!" link. Please include the following documents in English as one PDF file: Motivation letter, Curriculum vitae, Study records, Any research outputs (e.g., thesis, journal or conference papers).