Centre for textile science and engineering

Jobs

2 PhD and 1 postdoc vacancies for 2023:

Vacancy 1: PhD (4 years) on Advanced Material Modelling using Finite Element Analysis for Technical Textiles and Textile Manufacturing

Job description

We are seeking a dedicated PhD candidate on advanced material modelling in the textile domain. In this project you will dive deep into a cutting-edge research area, exploring the complexities of advanced textile material modelling. You will collaborate closely with an research team comprising 2 other PhD students and a postdoctoral researcher.

The research project focusses on the development of a robust multi-scale textile modelling framework, utilizing finite element analysis combined with virtual fibre modelling. Simulations encompass both the manufacturing side (e.g. weaving, stitching, bobbin unwinding, etc.) as well as the performance side (e.g. strength prediction of specialized technical fabric connections). Such simulations are very challenging due to the use of diverse materials (natural and synthetic fibers, yarns and fabrics) combined with high anisotropy and non-linearity. Furthermore, the dynamics of high-speed manufacturing processes need to be included in the modelling framework, ensuring its applicability to real-world processes. This is still a very new research topic and many scientific questions remain unanswered.

Requirements

  • Experience with finite element mechanical modelling, knowledge of Abaqus™ or other commercial FEA packages;
  • Familiar with mechanics of materials and experimental and computational techniques;
  • Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, computational mechanics, materials science, or similar;
  • Good knowledge of English writing and speaking;

Vacancy 2: Postdoc (2 - 3 years) on Advanced Material Modelling using Finite Element Analysis for Technical Textiles and Textile Manufacturing

Job description

We are seeking a dedicated postdoc on advanced material modelling in the textile domain. In this project you will dive deep into a cutting-edge research area, exploring the complexities of advanced textile material modelling. You will be part of a team of 4 researchers (3 PhDs and one postdoc) who will all work on this large research project. The postdoctoral researcher is also expected to support the 3 PhD students and act as a mentor and tutor for them.

The research project focusses on the development of a robust multi-scale textile modelling framework, utilizing finite element analysis combined with virtual fibre modelling. Simulations encompass both the manufacturing side (e.g. weaving, stitching, bobbin unwinding, etc.) as well as the performance side (e.g. strength prediction of specialized technical fabric connections). Such simulations are very challenging due to the use of diverse materials (natural and synthetic fibers, yarns and fabrics) combined with high anisotropy and non-linearity. Furthermore, the dynamics of high-speed manufacturing processes need to be included in the modelling framework, ensuring its applicability to real-world processes. This is still a very new research topic and many scientific questions remain unanswered.

Requirements

  • Experience with finite element mechanical modelling, and knowledge of Abaqus™ or other commercial FEA packages;
  • PhD in mechanical engineering, computational mechanics, materials science, or similar;
  • Familiar with mechanics of materials and experimental and computational techniques;
  • Good knowledge of English writing and speaking;

Vacancy 3: PhD (4 years) on advanced micro-mechanical testing of fiber reinforced polymer composites using in-situ microscopy

Job description

We are looking for a PhD student for a research project on microscale mechanical characterization of fiber reinforced polymer composites using in-situ microscopic techniques. Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are the go-to material for structural applications where weight is crucial. Predictions about bulk components are often based on micro-mechanical models, typically through a multi-scale modelling framework that bridges the gap from fibre scale (± 10 μm) to ply scale (±100 μm) to laminate scale (± 10 – 100 mm and beyond). Much more fundamental insights and measurements at the micro-scale are necessary to enable fully predictive multi-scale modelling and faster adaptation of FRP. Therefore, we propose the development of advanced micro-mechanical test methods for fibre reinforced polymer composites based on in-situ optical and electron microscopy during loading. This includes micro-scale Digital Image Correlation (DIC) which gives full-field strain information at the sub-micron scale, force measurement and correlation of the damage mechanisms at micro- and macro-scale. This also generates accurate input data for multi-scale models for composites. This PhD requires an experimentalist to do the mechanical characterization of the materials.

Requirements

  • Experience with experimental testing of materials;
  • Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, materials science, or similar;
  • Familiar with mechanics of materials and experimental techniques;
  • Good knowledge of English writing and speaking;

Nice to haves

  • Knowledge of instrumentation techniques such as Digital Image Correlation (DIC);
  • Experience with, or a background in, composite materials;

What do we offer and how to apply?

  • We have extensive experimental and numerical facilities. You will have access to several workstations and a high performance computing cluster to run finite element simulations;
  • You will get the chance to attend international conferences (e.g. AUTEX, ECCM, ICCM,...) and to present papers on these conferences. You are encouraged to publish your results not only on international conferences, but also in peer-reviewed international scientific journals;
  • A personal laptop and workspace;
  • The university offers compensations for public transport (train) and bicycle. The work location can be reached easily by public transport (train and tram/bus);
  • There are a lot of sport accommodations and other benefits (reductions on computer purchase, internet connection, fitness, hospitalization insurance policy, ...) for university personnel;
  • As a PhD, your net income is about 2400 EUR per month. As a junior postdoc, your net income is about 2800 EUR per month. That is the amount of money that is deposited on your bank account every month (after taxes);

Where

You will work at the Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering at Ghent University under prof. Lode DAELEMANS (Centre for Textile Science and Engineering, https://textiles.ugent.be) and prof. Wim VAN PAEPEGEM (Mechanics of Materials and Structures, https://composites.ugent.be). Ghent University is a large university in Belgium, counting about 45,000 students and consistently ranks among the best 100 universities in the world. The research group and its laboratories are situated in the Tech Lane Science Park in the south of Ghent (Technologiepark 70, 9052 Zwijnaarde). The campus is easily accessed by bike, bus or car.

Contact person

The contact person and promotor of this PhD vacancy is Prof. Lode DAELEMANS (research profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=4mTrbq8AAAAJ&hl=en).

How to apply

Please write a detailed Curriculum Vitae in Dutch or English, containing:

  • Personal details (name, nationality, date of birth, …);
  • Education and degrees, include subject of master’s thesis, PhD thesis;
  • Transcript of records of bachelor’s and master’s degree;
  • Work experience (previous jobs);
  • Additional skills (finite element software, programming, communication, experimental techniques, …);
  • Language skills;
  • References (previous relevant projects, published papers, conference contributions, …);

Send the C.V. by e-mail to Lode.Daelemans@UGent.be using the subject ‘Application for Vacancy 20230101’ and mention for which vacancy (number) you are applying.