PhD Student

Job description

Ghent University is a top 100 university worldwide and one of the major universities in Belgium, with more than 44,000 students and 15,000 staff members. The Electrical Energy Laboratory (EELAB) at UGent is involved in a European Project “Holistic Approach to enhance the Recyclability of rare-earth permanent Magnets Obtained from aNY waste stream” (Harmony).
Harmony aims at developing an innovative, green and safe closed-loop recycling process of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) from End-of-Life (EoL) NdFeB permanent magnets, typically used in permanent magnet synchronous machines. The role of UGent as research partner is the optimization of the design of motors with recycled magnets, and to investigate the effect of a.o. unequal magnet properties.
As a PhD student, you will contribute to the development of models for axial flux permanent magnet motors. A model-based sensitivity analysis will be done of the motor electromagnetic performance as a function of magnet grade variability. The studied performance criteria are torque, efficiency, and imbalance (eccentricity). Also, you will study how the motor design can be modified to make the machine more robust against variations in the magnet properties. For this study, you can start from models developed and validated at UGent. An industrial partner will manufacture a prototype axial flux motor, in which recycled magnets will be used. The prototype can be used for validating the models.
The initial contract duration will be one year, in which you are hired as a PhD researcher. The contract can be extended to 4 years in total, under the condition of a positive evaluation after the initial period. Ghent University offers an attractive salary with additional benefits, a positive and inspiring working environment and training possibilities. You will work at the Electrical Energy Laboratory in the Tech Lane Ghent Science Park in Zwijnaarde.

Job profile

• You hold a master of science in engineering (technology), preferably in electromechanical or electrical engineering.
• You are motivated, creative and have a passion for academic research. You have an affinity with both experimental research and simulation software.
• You have a strong technical knowledge, expertise and experience in the domain of electric machines.
• You have good communication skills in English.
• You like challenging scientific research in a multidisciplinary and international context.

How to apply

Send your CV and motivation letter to Mohamed.Ibrahim@UGent.be before February 5, 2024; please write in the subject of the e-mail "HarmonyStudent". If you pass the pre-selection, you will receive further instructions on the selection process and will be invited for a job interview, possibly via Teams.