JOB DESCRIPTION

• This position is part of the research project VANGOGH (Unravelling and predicting degradation of canvas paintings: a multiscale and multiphysics framework), which is funded by the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant). We are building a team of talented and enthusiastic researchers to work on this exciting multidisciplinary research program.
• The context: Traditional canvas paintings represent an inestimable cultural legacy. At the same time, however, from an engineering perspective, canvas paintings are heterogeneous, multiscale systems subjected to complex loading conditions triggered by the interaction between multiple physical fields. This complicated scenario may result in different degradation mechanisms, including wrinkling of the painting surface, cracking, delamination, and paint flaking, which crucially affect the appearance, integrity, and longevity of the artwork.
• The main objectives of the project are as follows:
• The development of a multiscale hygro-thermo-mechanical constitutive model of paint and canvas materials based on the effective response of three-dimensional representative volume elements of the heterogeneous paint and canvas systems.
• The analysis of local, microstructural instability mechanisms in the canvas material.
• The development of a multiscale framework for multiphysics instability of the canvas and cracking and delamination in the paint, focused on understanding the mutual interaction between the phenomena.
• The successful candidate will work in the chair of Applied Mechanics, Department of the Built Environment, under the supervision of dr. Emanuela Bosco and dr. Ron Peerlings (Department of Mechanical Engineering). The chair of Applied Mechanics is responsible for education and research in the field of mechanics, working on multiscale, multi-physics and optimization problems related to the built environment. The chair is a member of the Graduate School of Engineering Mechanics, Netherlands. This graduate school offers PhD students an advanced training program in engineering mechanics, the core of which is a joint series of advanced graduate courses closely connected to state-of-the-art research themes.
• The successful candidate will interact closely with other PhD students (numerical and experimental) who work on other aspects of the degradation response of cultural heritage materials.
• The project is embedded within NICAS (Netherlands Institute for Conservation, Art and Science) and received the support of important national and international museums and cultural heritage institutions (for instance, the Rijksmuseum NL).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• A talented, motivated and enthusiastic researcher. Analytical skills, initiative and creativity are highly desired.
• A MSc-degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computational Mechanics, Mathematical Engineering or equivalent.
• A strong background in mechanics of materials and multi-scale and multi-physics methods is highly desired.
• Interest to work in an interdisciplinary project that applies a mechanics mindset to the field of cultural heritage.
• Excellent oral and writing skills in English.

ABOUT US

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.
Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact Dr. Emanuela Bosco, e.bosco@tue.nl.
Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services, email hrservices.be@tue.nl.
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Please refer the Job description for details