Job description

The research group 'Fracture and Fatigue' at Laboratory Soete conducts research on fatigue and the lifetime of structures and components, among other things. For future projects in the field of offshore wind energy, we have a position available for a researcher (PhD candidate). The research will be conducted under the supervision of Prof. Wim De Waele and Dr. Kris Hectors, and focuses on the development and application of numerical algorithms and models for fatigue, crack growth, and lifetime.

Your main tasks:

• You perform academic research for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation.
• You strive towards successful project execution.
• You actively collaborate with external project partners.
• You present and report your findings to your colleagues and to project partners.
• You disseminate your research results by means of scientific articles in web of science indexed journals, and by presentations at international conferences.
  
  

Our offer:

• We offer an attractive and international work environment with unparalleled research infrastructure and an excellent working atmosphere. The candidate
  will have the opportunity to take part in an interdisciplinary international research group, benefit from continuous scientific exchange, a comprehensive
  library and the possibility of research stays abroad.
• We offer you a PhD scholarship as a 1-year contract with an additional 3 years after a positive evaluation.
• The opportunity to obtain a PhD in engineering and develop your soft skills by participating in the doctoral schools
• An internationally competitive salary that corresponds to the salary scales for Doctoral Research Fellows as established by the Flemish government
  (https://www.ugent.be/en/work/talent/welcoming-new-staff ).
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on
  an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, a bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. Click here for an overview of all the
  staffbenefits: https://www.ugent.be/en/work/talent/next-steps/employeebenefits.htm

Job profile

Background and Technical skills

• You hold a degree of Master of Science in (electro)mechanical, computational mechanics, civil engineering or a closely related field, with very good
  grades. For diplomas awarded outside the European Union, a certificate of equivalence (NARIC) must be submitted. The degree requirements need to be
  fulfilled at the start of your appointment.
• You are willing to assist in teaching activities (e.g., master thesis guidance, development of course material).
• You are interested in academic and/or project-based research and services.
• You are interested in guiding master students during their dissertation.
• You have experience in numerical simulation and programming. Strong knowledge of finite element software and Python is an asset.
• You have mastered the English language, both in writing skills and oral presentations.
• Experience with conducting mechanical tests (e.g., tensile and fatigue tests, ...) is a plus but not required.
  
  

Attitude

• You are motivated to obtain a PhD degree in Engineering and to disseminate your research findings in international journals.
• You take initiative in searching for new research ideas and you are not afraid to be critical about your own work.
• You have a team player mindset, and a strong personality and work in a well-structured and result-oriented manner.
• You have strong communication and interpersonal skills.

How to apply

• Apply by sending an e-mail to kris.hectors@ugent.be with as subject “vacancy PhD OFS Soete”. Your application must include the following documents attached to the mail (or accessible through a download link):
  
  Curriculum vitae and concrete motivation letter
• BSc and MSc diplomas and transcripts of records
• Abstract of your Master thesis (max. 1 page)

The application deadline is 18/09/2023; the exact start date of the position is negotiable (the earliest possible date is 01/01/2024). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not complete.

If you pass the pre-selection, you will receive further instructions on the selection process and will be invited for an online job interview.
For more information about this vacancy, please contact prof. Wim De Waele (wim.dewaele@ugent.be )