The automotive industry is in urgent need of further lightweighting its car fleet to meet the governmental regulations on carbon emissions. Thermoplastic Composites (TPCs) yield a possible solution, due to the combination of lightweight, flexibility of design, reduced processing cycle times and recyclability. Despite this high potential, the introduction of fiber reinforced polymer composites in mass-produced components proceeds rather slowly. An important factor is that TPC components, based on continuous fibre-reinforcement, are generally aimed at load-bearing applications, where structural integrity and long-term reliability are of utmost importance. Hence, the ability to predict the mechanical performance (impact, fatigue) under anticipated service conditions is essential in the design and optimization of such components. Unfortunately, the predictive methods currently available prove inadequate, and, hence, the reliability of these materials can generally only be warranted after full-scale testing of actual products. This procedure is costly, time-consuming, and hampers product optimization and a flexible response to market demands.

The objective of this research is to develop a new predictive modelling framework that allows the simulation of the mechanical performance of thermoplastic composites, in short-term (impact) as well as in long-term loading (creep, fatigue), taking into account the influence of structural evolution processes that take place during processing, storage and service life. Such tools will enable optimization in various stages of design, leading to lighter, more reliable products with short time-to-market and an enhanced service life.

The approach will be in two combined closely related experimental/numerical PhD projects; PhD1 dealing with the relation between the thermomechanical history (during processing, storage and service – e.g. crystallization, ageing) and the long-term composite (mechanical) response, and PhD2 focusing on the prediction of damage evolution and failure modes occurring during an impact event, its relation to processing and prior fatigue damage evolution. Both projects will focus on isotactic polypropylene (iPP) reinforced with glass fibers, a material with great promise for load-bearing applications in the automotive sector.

• You hold a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science or Applied Mathematics;
• You have excellent analytical skills;
• You have a strong interest in computational mechanics;
• You have experience in experimental characterization of polymers, including a basic knowledge about polymer physics and polymer/composite properties (is of benefit);
• You are a team player with good communication skills;
• You are fluent in English, both spoken and written.

Information and application
More information about these PhD positions can be obtained from Prof. Leon Govaert (l.e.govaert@utwente.nl) or Dr. Ismet Baran (i.baran@utwente.nl)

Please send your application, with a detailed CV and a specific motivation letter, through the link below before October 15th, 2017.

We offer a very challenging fulltime position for four years in an inspiring multidisciplinary and international environment. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in which internationalization is an important part of the strategic agenda.

• A starting salary of € 2.222,- in the first year and a salary of € 2.840,- in the fourth year gross per month;
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• A solid pension scheme;
• Minimum of 29 leave days in case of full-time employment;
• Professional and personal development programs.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.

The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) is one of the five faculties of the University of Twente. ET combines Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. Our faculty has approximately 1800 bachelor and master students, 400 employees and 150 PhD candidates. The departments of the faculty cooperatively conduct the educational programmes and participate in interdisciplinary research projects, programmes and the research institutes: MIRA, CTIT, SBE and IGS.