5 PhD Vacancies in Mechanics of Materials

The research group Mechanics of Materials and Structures at Ghent University (UGent-MMS) in Belgium has 5 vacancies for PhD research in the field of mechanics of materials. The vacancies are linked to research on composite hydrogen tanks, mine counter-measure drones and snap fit joints in constructions. All positions have a duration of 4 years and are fully funded (projects already granted). All research will be conducted with leading companies in the field.

It is combined with a very low tuition fee, limited to a once-only tuition fee of 1100 EUR at the start of the PhD. 

Vacancy 1: PhD (4 years) on Design, Manufacturing And Testing of Composite Propellers for Underwater Drone Applications

[Net salary (after taxes) starting from 2600 EUR/month]

UGent-MMS is part of a European project on next generation propellers for underwater drones. Such underwater drones are becoming more and more important in mine counter measure applications and surveillance tasks. They are sent out by the mother ship and can sweep mines or inspect critical maritime infrastructure. In this project, the propellers will be made of composite materials, and should sustain all mechanical loads in-service. The consortium consists of a large group of European defense companies and research institutes.
The research tasks at UGent-MMS involve several aspects: (i) design and finite element simulation of different propeller geometries and material configurations, (ii) optimization of material choices and manufacturing processes, (iii) mechanical characterization of the built propellers.

The PhD researcher will interact with the different partners in the European project, in particular also with the research partner at the Royal Military Academy in Belgium, who is doing the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to estimate the hydrodynamic loads on the propellers.

Only candidates with a Master degree should apply. The candidate should have a strong interest in experimental and computational mechanics of composite materials, and should be enthusiastic to work in a collaborative project between industry and academia. The candidate should also be willing to travel regularly to other European countries for experimental testing campaigns at different partners. 

Vacancy 2: PhD (4 years) on Experimental Testing of Composites for Hydrogen Tanks

[Net salary (after taxes) starting from 2600 EUR/month]

Belgium has been taking a leading position in the transition towards a hydrogen economy thanks to many companies and research institutes active in hydrogen technologies. In addition, Belgium has currently the second largest hydrogen pipeline network in the world and has a strategic position in Western Europe as an import and transit hub for renewable H2 molecules.

In the context of these global and local evolutions, Ghent University (UGent) focuses on an important link in the future hydrogen economy, being the storage of hydrogen in pressurized composite tanks, both in the vehicle itself as in refueling stations. Indeed, the success of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles depends both on the development of safe storage options in the vehicle, as well as a supporting refueling infrastructure.

UGent-MMS is partner in a large new research project with several leading companies in the automotive industry. This research project aims at developing composite solutions for future hydrogen storage tanks. This PhD vacancy is focused on the experimental characterization of composites for hydrogen tanks. This includes measurement of physical and mechanical properties, instrumentation and data acquisition on full tanks and assessment of solutions for Structural Health Monitoring. The research will be done in close collaboration with the involved industrial partners.

The PhD researcher will also closely work together with the other doctoral and postdoctoral colleagues that work on composite hydrogen tanks, to form a strong and complementary team for this highly challenging research topic.

Only candidates with a Master degree should apply. The candidate should have a strong interest in experimental mechanics of composite materials, and should be enthusiastic to work in a collaborative project between industry and academia. 

Vacancy 3: PhD (4 years) on Numerical Simulation of Composite Hydrogen Tanks

[Net salary (after taxes) starting from 2600 EUR/month]

Belgium has been taking a leading position in the transition towards a hydrogen economy thanks to many companies and research institutes active in hydrogen technologies. In addition, Belgium has currently the second largest hydrogen pipeline network in the world and has a strategic position in Western Europe as an import and transit hub for renewable H2 molecules.

In the context of these global and local evolutions, Ghent University (UGent) focuses on an important link in the future hydrogen economy, being the storage of hydrogen in pressurized composite tanks, both in the vehicle itself as in refueling stations. Indeed, the success of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles depends both on the development of safe storage options in the vehicle, as well as a supporting refueling infrastructure.

UGent-MMS is partner in a large new research project with several leading companies in the automotive industry. This research project aims at developing composite solutions for future hydrogen storage tanks. This PhD vacancy is focused on the finite element modelling and design of the pressurized composite tank, in different operational conditions (pressurization, depletion, thermomechanical loads). The research will be done in close collaboration with the involved industrial partners.

The PhD researcher will also closely work together with the other doctoral and postdoctoral colleagues that work on composite hydrogen tanks, to form a strong and complementary team for this highly challenging research topic.

Only candidates with a Master degree should apply. The candidate should have a strong interest in computational mechanics of composite materials, and should be enthusiastic to work in a collaborative project between industry and academia. 

Vacancy 4: PhD (4 years) on Finite Element Simulation of Snap Fit Joints

[Net salary (after taxes) starting from 2600 EUR/month]

UGent-MMS is coordinating a 4-year research project on snap fit joints. Snap fit joints, also called snap-lock joints or clickable joints, are one of the most widely used connection types in all sorts of construction elements, automotive parts, medical devices and many more. Those joints are more and more important in the context of disassembly, recycling and repair.

This research project does not deal with the most simple snap fit joints, based on cantilever flexible beams. Rather it focuses on the complex snap fit joints that are used in window profiles, laminate flooring, injection moulded parts for automotive, etc. When those joints are engaged, they follow a complex loading path, with effects of friction, strain rate, geometric nonlinearity and manufacturing tolerances. After that, the snap fit joints have to keep the parts together for many years, despite temperature fluctuations, creep and environmental ageing.

The project is funded by Flanders Make, and is a collaboration between UGent, KULeuven and Flanders Make. The project is supported by 10 companies from the construction, automotive and consumer goods sector.

This PhD will focus on development of advanced finite element analysis techniques for the engagement and long-term performance of snap fit joints. Different solver strategies (implicit/explicit) will be investigated, and computational techniques will be developed for automated optimization of snap fit geometry and performance. He/she will collaborate with the other PhD students and postdoc, involved in the project.

Only candidates with a Master degree should apply. The candidate should have a strong interest in computational mechanics of materials, and should be enthusiastic to work in a collaborative project between industry and academia. 

Vacancy 5: PhD (4 years) on Experimental Characterization of Snap Fit Joints

[Net salary (after taxes) starting from 2600 EUR/month]

UGent-MMS is coordinating a 4-year research project on snap fit joints. Snap fit joints, also called snap-lock joints or clickable joints, are one of the most widely used connection types in all sorts of construction elements, automotive parts, medical devices and many more. Those joints are more and more important in the context of disassembly, recycling and repair.

This research project does not deal with the most simple snap fit joints, based on cantilever flexible beams. Rather it focuses on the complex snap fit joints that are used in window profiles, laminate flooring, injection moulded parts for automotive, etc. When those joints are engaged, they follow a complex loading path, with effects of friction, strain rate, geometric nonlinearity and manufacturing tolerances. After that, the snap fit joints have to keep the parts together for many years, despite temperature fluctuations, creep and environmental ageing.

The project is funded by Flanders Make, and is a collaboration between UGent, KULeuven and Flanders Make. The project is supported by 10 companies from the construction, automotive and consumer goods sector.

This PhD will focus on development of experimental characterization techniques for the engagement and long-term performance of snap fit joints. Instrumentation techniques such as Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and high-speed imaging will be used, and tests will be extended from quasi-static loading to long-term creep loading, combined with temperature influences. He/she will collaborate with the other PhD students and postdoc, involved in the project.

Only candidates with a Master degree should apply. The candidate should have a strong interest in experimental mechanics of materials, and should be enthusiastic to work in a collaborative project between industry and academia. 

More information can be found on: https://composites.ugent.be/PhD_job_vacancies_PhD_job_positions_composites.html 

More information about the research group can be found on: http://www.composites.ugent.be/ 

Funding Details

Funding Minimum

60.000 EUR/year 

Funding Maximum

80.000 EUR/year 

Funding Comment

Net salary of > 2700 EUR/month (after taxes and social security costs). 

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