Then, the Professional Doctorate in Engineering (PDEng) programme Energy & Process Technology is very interesting for you. The PDEng programme is a 2-year post MSc technological programme with a focus on technological design. This programme at the University of Twente contains an educational part that will be followed at the University, and a design project that will be carried out at Apollo Tyres. The educational programme will have an in-depth and broadening character with ample attention for professional development and will be partly tailored to the design project. In collaboration with Apollo Tyres, high level, creative and new designs for complex issues will be aimed at.

PDEng Design Project - Developing an improved DMA test for prediction of tyre friction  

One of the best known and most widely used methods to predict tyre performance for tread compound is Tsweep test, measured at low constant strain (0.05-1%). In a real situation, the tyre is subjected to a load which in combination with road roughness causes tread deformation at different strains, which are much higher than in a conventional Tsweep test. Some publications have shown that a correlation between DMA data and tyre data can be improved by measuring at higher strains. At the same time there are various patents in which the Tsweep is measured at constant load, and this is used as indication of tyre braking. Both tests are done in single shear mode, which is not the standard mode for a DMA. To compare both tests with wet braking distance data of different compounds, new clamping devices and vulcanization molds have to be designed.

The PDEng needs to design a new DMA test method for a  Metravib 450 to improve the prediction of friction for tread compounds at tyre level in comparison with current Tsweep measured at low strain, including:

1. Design of a single shear clamping device for a Metravib DMA;
2. Design of a mold for vulcanization of single shear samples together with a metal bonding part.

We are searching for the best MSc graduated candidates (or graduates with several years of experience) in the field of Material Science or a related discipline with focus on elastomers. Candidates should have a demonstrable affinity with design and multidisciplinary assignments. Besides, you must have the ambition and talent to accelerate in finding solutions / creating designs for complex technological issues with a multidisciplinary character. Important professional skills are English language skills, communication and interpersonal skills, teamwork, initiative and self-reflection. An interview will be part of the selection procedure.

Application
Please send your letter of motivation, with a curriculum vitae, a list with grades of courses attended, references and, if applicable, a list of publications before 15 October 2017 through the link below.

Contact information
If you have any further questions about this vacancy of the PDEng programme in Energy & Process Technology, please contact Wilma Dierkes:

• Email: w.k.dierkes@utwente.nl
• Telephone: +31 (0)53 489 4721

General information about PDEng programmes you can find at our website.

We offer a contract for 24 months. During these two years you follow a tailor made post-master design programme with a combination of education (~50%) and working on a design project (~50%). The salary will be € 1.803 gross per month. Additionally, the University of Twente provides excellent facilities for professional and personal development, a holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus.

On successfully completing the programme, you will receive a certified degree. You will be entitled to use the academic degree Professional Doctorate in Engineering (PDEng) and will be registered as a Technological Designer in the Dutch register kept by the Royal Institution of Engineers in the Netherlands (KIVI).

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

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.