"PhD position in Simulation of Thermoplastic Composites Manufacturing for Aerospace Applications"

Job Description

The PhD positions involve press forming of thermoplastic composites, laser-assisted automated fiber placement, and induction welding for aerospace applications.

Position 1 – Ply and blank bending during hot press forming

Wrinkling is a primary defect in press-formed parts. Tasks include performing rheological experiments, developing constitutive models, and implementing them in software.

Requirements: Comfortable with experimental work, experience in polymer rheology, and ability to implement models in Matlab or Python.

Position 2 – Ply/ply and tool/ply friction during hot press forming

Excessive friction can lead to defects. Tasks include characterizing friction experimentally, evaluating and extending friction models, and validating in software.

Requirements: Comfortable with experimental work, experience in polymer rheology, and ability to implement models in Matlab or Python.

Position 3 – High-fidelity simulation of the LAFP process

Develop numerical frameworks for efficient simulation of laser-assisted fiber placement, including optical and thermal models.

Requirements: Strong background in numerical methods, experience with high-performance computing, and knowledge of tools like gmsh.

Position 4 – Efficient simulation of the induction welding process

Develop numerical methods for electromagnetic and heat transfer problems, and constitutive models for electrical conductivity.

Requirements: Experience in solving 3D field equations, understanding of electromagnetism, and proficiency in numerical computing software.

Requirements

You are a highly motivated researcher with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics or equivalent. You have experimental and theoretical skills in thermoplastic polymers and fiber reinforced composites, experience with the finite element method, programming in Python or Matlab, good team-working abilities, and proficiency in English (TOEFL > 90 or IELTS > 6.5).

Conditions of Employment

A full-time 4-year PhD position with a qualifier in the first year, excellent mentorship, personal development program, gross monthly salary from €3,059 to €3,881, holiday allowance, end-of-year bonus, pension scheme, 29 vacation days, training program, and family-friendly policies.