JOB DESCRIPTION

Project Vision
Composites are truly the materials of the future. Their use is rising exponentially, continuing to replace or augment traditional materials. A key example is the construction of next-generation aircraft such as the Airbus A350.
Despite this progress, composites remain brittle and susceptible to fatigue—posing risks of sudden and catastrophic failure.
Can we make them more ductile and longer-lasting?
Inspired by nature’s concept of hibernation, this Vidi project aims to develop a new class of composites that can “sleep”, meaning part of the composite is not carrying load — introducing dormancy mechanisms to extend structural life and enhance resilience. This innovative approach also allows for hybridising cheap and expensive materials, reducing cost without compromising performance. We expect that the developed solutions will significantly enhance life-time, ductility, and circularity in composites. The project includes demonstrations for potential applications in critical areas such as wind turbine blades and off-shore composite joints, to provide improved ductility, fatigue performance and energy absorption.
We invite outstanding candidates to join our team as PhD1 (Multiscale Modelling & Dormancy Design) or PhD2 (Advanced Composite Manufacturing and Characterisation).
PhD1 – Multiscale Modelling and Dormant Design in Composites

You will focus on developing and validating novel dormant design concepts for composite materials. This includes:

• Designing fibre-reinforced architectures that provide dormant behaviour
• Performing multiscale finite element simulations
• Use AI and FEM to design optimal composite material architectures and properties
• In this project you will collaborate with Prof. Bert Sluys on multiscale mechanics and advanced machine learning solutions

A background in:

• computational mechanics, finite element modelling or

• composite or architected materials would be considered a significant plus

  PhD2 – Advanced Manufacturing and Characterisation of Dormant Composites
  You will work closely with your colleague (PhD1) translating the modelling concepts into manufacturable hybrid composites, combining thermoplastic and thermoset matrices, short and long fibres to manufacture and charaterise sustainable composites with high performance and onger service life.
  The work involves addressing real-world processing challenges and leveraging TU Delft’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, including 3D printing and automated fibre placement. You will work closely with experts such as Prof. Clemens Dransfeld, Dr Kunal Masania.

A background in:

• composite manufacturing, polymer processing
• material design or experimental characterisation would be considered a significant plus

You will join the Material health monitoring research group and in collaboration with mechanical and aerospace faculties. The groups cover the micro-scale (materials) to the macro-scale (integrated structures) research activities, and are well equipped for hosting experimental and computational works, having state-of-the-art manufacturing and mechanical testing facilities, and an extensive range of high-performance computational facilities and required software. Ours is an open, friendly, and collaborative team in which you are encouraged to share your knowledge and ideas, and get all the support you need to develop in your career.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

We are looking for ambitious PhD candidates with:

• An MSc degree in a relevant field such as Mechanical, Materials, Aerospace Engineering, etc.
• Knowledge and interest in composite materials design and characterisation, both modelling and experimental skill sets are desirable.
• The ability to work both in a project team and independently, taking leadership and responsibility for research tasks.
• Good communication skills in English, both written and oral.

Doing a PhD requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. A minimum IELTS score of 7 or equivalent is mandatory for international students. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

• Designing fibre-reinforced architectures that provide dormant behaviour
• Performing multiscale finite element simulations
• Use AI and FEM to design optimal composite material architectures and properties
• In this project you will collaborate with Prof. Bert Sluys on multiscale mechanics and advanced machine learning solution