We have a vacancy for a two-year post-doc project to study printed titanium repair patches on CFRP aerospace materials.

The occurrence of incidental damages in composite aircraft structures can necessitate on-site repairs. This affects the repair methods and technologies that can be applied. Many of the limitations as found by using flat Titanium repair patches for complex curved shapes maybe overcome by Additive Manufacturing.

The two main aims of this project are:

•  To investigate the potential for applying AM technologies to the fabrication of adhesively bonded and bolted patch repairs for composite structures, with the aim of eliminating forming;

•  The other research aim is to find the best surface pretreatment and process conditions for the titanium repair patch in order to predict a long term durability of the adhesive bond. Starting point will be the use of alternative treatments such as sol gel and Chromate-free primers.

A large part of the research work will be experimentally based. The experiments will mainly take place in the DASML laboratories of  the TU Delft.   

We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative researcher motivated to push the limits of the Aerospace Technology. Applicants should have the following qualifications:

•  PhD in Material Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics or any another relevant discipline

•  Extensive experience with material testing, experimental analysis and polymer science

•  Excellent English, communication and reporting skills.

•  Comfortable to work both independently and in a team

•  A pro-active, independent, problem-solving, and result-oriented work attitude

•  Expected to publish and participate in international conferences 

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

Faculty Aerospace Engineering

The faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world's largest faculties devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. In the Netherlands it is the only research and education institute directly related to the aerospace engineering sector. It covers the whole spectrum of aerospace engineering subjects. In aeronautics, the faculty covers subjects ranging from aerodynamics and flight propulsion to structures and materials and from control and simulation to air transport and operations. In astronautics, topics include astrodynamics, space missions and space systems engineering. The faculty has around 2,700 BSc and MSc students, 225 PhD candidates and 27 professors supported by scientific staff.
The faculty's mission is to be the best Aerospace Engineering faculty in the world, inspiring and educating students through modern education techniques and enabling staff to perform ambitious research of the highest quality for the future of aerospace. The working atmosphere at the faculty is friendly, open-minded and dedicated.

The Department of Aerospace Materials and Structures is dedicated to research on and development of structures and materials. The department consists of multiple groups that together cover the range from fundamental material science to full-scale structural component testing.

The Structural Integrity and Composites group focuses on the performance needs of future structures and products by intergrating design, safety, manufacturing, and maintenance. The group has a unique reputation in the field of fatigue of structures and materials,combined with expertise in structural hybrid/composite concept development and manufacturing for assuring structural integrity during all phases of the entire operational life.

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/ae/