Title of the position: Rheology and characterisation of recycled discontinuous fibre-reinforced thermoplastics
Host organization (country): ThermoPlastic Composites Research Center & University of Twente (the Netherlands)
Background and Challenge
The properties of composite materials largely depend on the distribution of their constituents and their respective properties. Any recycling process will impact both of these, leading to additional microstructural variability. Only with detailed understanding, proper characterisation and accurate modelling we can hope for reliable predictions of the structure, properties and performance of the resulting recycled composite part.
This requires micro-mechanical models to be developed, firstly for the rheological behaviour of compression moulded recycled discontinuous composites, as well as experiments to characterise the behaviour of these materials during processing.
Job description
We are seeking two enthusiastic PhD candidates to join us for a full-time, fully funded, 4-year project working within the large European consortium “FibReLoop: Closing the fibre reinforced composites loop: recycling materials for recycled components”. One PhD project will be predominantly computational and the other experimental.
The FibReLoop Doctoral Network strives to promote the industrial implementation of circular economy strategies for composites. Fourteen doctoral candidates will be trained at various institutions throughout Europe to address the recycling of a composite part all the way to the design and production of new recycled components. The topics include the evaluation, improvement, and development of current or new recycling technologies; the experimental assessment of the behaviour of the recycled materials; the development of material models and design approaches for recycled composites and parts; and the implementation of these materials circular economic practices into real-life industrial cases. FibReLoop involves 18 European universities and companies. Hired researchers will receive training by world-leading experts in innovative technologies, supported by a strong network and extensive industry participation.
As part of their training, all researchers will participate in the dedicated training programme organised by FibReLoop (including technical, communication, career management and business skills) and in six-monthly project meetings. Also, they will have an industrial and an academic secondment of approximately three months each at one of the partner institutions. Further, the researchers will write scientific papers for publication in top-level journals in materials science/mechanics, present their research in project meetings, international conferences and outreach events, and work in close collaboration with their supervisors while being the driving force for their own PhD.
Your profile
You are a highly motivated researcher who is driven by curiosity and has:
- a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering or equivalent,
- for the computational project: experience with the finite element method and programming experience in programming or scripting languages (Fortran, C++, Python or Matlab),
- for the experimental project: experimental and theoretical skills in rheology of polymers and fiber reinforced composites,
- proficiency in English, both spoken and written (we require a TOEFL > 90 or IELTS > 6.5 score). The latter is not necessary for native speakers of English or whose MSc program was in English.
Specifically for the Marie Sklodowska-Curie scheme:
- You are open for secondments in different European countries (Belgium and France, for these particular projects),
- You are not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment. Note, that if you have successfully defended your doctoral thesis in an alternative organization / university but have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree you will not be considered eligible.
- You must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the date of recruitment. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
- You are able to start the position no later than 1 March 2025.
Our offer
We offer a full-time 4-year PhD position with a qualifier in the first year; excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities; and a personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. It also includes:
- Gross monthly salary of € 2.770 in the first year, increasing each year up to € 3.539 in the fourth year;
- Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, a solid pension scheme, and 29 vacation days in case of full-time employment;
- A training program, where you and your supervisors will settle a plan for education and supervision;
- A green campus with free access to sports facilities and an international scientific community;
- A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid).
How to apply
The application procedure is described in a dedicated website (common with DC-7):