Centre for textile science and engineering

Jobs

Open vacancies:

Vacancy 1: PhD (4 years) or postdoc (3 years) on mechanical modelling of textile-machine interaction under dynamical manufacturing conditions

Job description

We are looking for a researcher to work on the finite element modelling of the interaction between textile materials (yarns and fabrics) and textile manufacturing machines (looms, bobbinfeeders, ...) under dynamic conditions. Such simulations are very challenging due to the use of diverse materials (natural and synthetic fibers, yarns and fabrics) which are highly anisotropic and non-linear. Furthermore, the dynamics of high-speed manufacturing processes need to be included in the modelling framework, ensuring its applicability to industrial processes. This is still a very new research topic and many scientific questions remain unanswered.

Alongside the modelling research, there will also be a measurement campaign using high-speed imaging and in-line force measurements on actual textile manufacturing machinery in collaboration with leading industrial partners. The goal is to develop a predictive modelling framework that can serve as a digital twin of the manufacturing process allowing for a faster and more precise optimization trough virtual engineering.
You will work within a research team comprising two other researchers dedicated to this project. The project is in close collaboration with prof. Wim Van Paepegem from the Mechanics of Materials and Structures group in the same department.

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

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 2700 - 2800 EUR per month. As a junior postdoc, your net income is about 2800 - 3200 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 202506’ and mention for which vacancy you are applying. If your CV is shortlisted, we will contact you for further information within two weeks.