The PhD student position is available in the Polymer Technology group, and will be supervised by Dr. Leon Govaert and Dr. Hans van Dommelen. The PhD project is part of the TU/e collaboration with SABIC. The position is available at The Eindhoven University of Technology. The university is a university of technology located in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Brief description: The research activities of the Polymer Technology group concentrate on the fundamental understanding of various macroscopic problems in the processing and use of polymer components and products. An important challenge is the establishment of a direct link from processing conditions to mechanical performance; a task that requires the combination of a number of vastly different disciplines, including elements of computational rheology, solid-state rheology, and polymer physics and mechanics. The group has a unique research infrastructure, both from an experimental and computational perspective. The Mechanical Testing Lab offers a large capacity of testing equipment for short-term (impact) and long-term testing (static and cyclic fatigue).
Aim of the PhD project, tasks
Failure under static or dynamic loading conditions is a major concern in the application of polymers in load-bearing components: it is not the question whether it will fail, but rather on what time scale. It is therefore imperative to be able to estimate the lifespan of load-bearing components under design-load specifications. Additional complexity is, as a result of the processing-induced filler orientation, that the components generally display spatial variation of mechanical properties throughout a product. The development of a methodology that predicts and designs the long-term performance of reinforced polymers is therefore of the utmost importance.
This project aims at the development of a macroscopic constitutive model that is capable to describe anisotropic time-dependent failure phenomena in fiber-filled systems. The development will be based on an extensive experimental study on the anisotropy of time-to-failure in static and dynamic fatigue of oriented short-fiber composites. A (generic) protocol that links local fiber orientation to anisotropic mechanical properties will be developed. The method will involve numerical analysis on realistic microstructural models based on CT-imaging of short-fiber reinforced polymers.
Requirements / qualifications –
Talented, enthusiastic candidates with excellent analytical and communication skills holding a university degree (MSc) in Mechanical Engineering and a profound background in computational mechanics are encouraged to apply. Experience in multi-scale modelling, micromechanics, and experimental mechanics are of benefit.
key features:
- A challenging job at a dynamic and ambitious University and in an enthusiastic team.
- An appointment (1 fte) as a PhD-student for four years, starting date: as soon as possible.
- Gross monthly salaries are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities (CAO NU), increasing from € 2125 per month initially, to € 2717 in the fourth year.
- An attractive package of fringe benefits, including excellent work facilities, end of the year allowance and sport facilities.
Information and application
More information about this PhD position can be obtained from Dr. Leon Govaert (L.E.Govaert@tue.nl).
Application
Application documents (in PDF format) must contain: letter of motivation, detailed curriculum vitae including photograph, transcripts of BSc and MSc degrees, and contact information of two potential referees.
Deadline: As soon as possible. The vacancy is open until a suitable candidate has been found.