Job description

PhD (4 years, paid) on experimental mechanics of technical textile materials and their connections in large load-bearing structures

We are looking for a PhD student for a research project on textile modelling and characterization. In this project, the main purpose is to develop a multi-scale textile modelling framework that allows accurate simulation of textile manufacturing processes such as yarn unwinding from a bobbin, weft insertion during weaving, stitching and tufting. Besides a strong numerical research focus, there is also an experimental research track focusing on advanced mechanical testing of textile materials and their connections, both on lab-scale and industrial scale (e.g. in-situ measurements on textile machines). Using techniques such as Digital Image Correlation and high speed camera’s we gain much better insights into the rate-dependent behaviour of different textile materials, ranging from yarn to fabric. These measurements will also serve as input to and validation of the numerical models. This PhD requires an experimentalist to do the mechanical characterization of textile materials and their connections at different scales. The PhD researcher will be part of a team of 4 researchers (3 PhD students and one postdoctoral researcher) who will all work on this large research project.

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.

Our offer:

• 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;
• The scholarship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual scholarship amount is determined by the DPO on the basis of family circumstances and seniority.

Job profile

Experience with experimental testing of materials;

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, textile 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, textile materials and processes;

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 you are applying.