The Department Mechanics of Solids, Surfaces & Systems (MS3), part of the faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) is currently seeking a PhD student in the area of fibers, ropes and damage mechanisms. The work will be done in the Surface Engineering and Maintenance group, where we work on topics related to damage mechanisms and lifetime prediction.

Degradation mechanisms happening at surfaces are typically highly complex in nature. Many degradation mechanisms involve multiple physical domains, like interacting thermal, mechanical and chemical effects. Analysis and modelling complex degradation phenomena is challenging but foundational for maintenance. Improvement of lifetime and maintenance is important, ultimately to make our society more sustainable.

Ropes composed of aramid fibres are commonly used in all kinds of applications, mostly applications that are in one way or another critical. For reasons of safety, it is very important to have a clear understanding of failure mechanisms and lifetime in these rope structures. The aim of the research is to analyse, quantify and describe internal degradation in rope structures due to mechanical interaction between the fibers. Ultimately this should lead to the development of a damage indicator. Although the research will primarily be performed on aramid ropes under conditions typical for extreme environments, spin off to other high performance fiber structures is expected. We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to strengthen our research portfolio. Careful experimental analysis, involving microscopy combined with digital image correlation to investigate fiber slip, Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy, will be employed to analyze, model and quantify fiber damage. Understanding the physical background of internal degradation processes will ultimately underpin lifetime prediction of these ropes. 
With your expertise, you will further strengthen our position in development of advanced maintenance strategies.

• MSc degree in Physics or Mechanical Engineering, preferably with a background in fibers and/or tribology;
• You are an excellent researcher, eager to learn and to improve; 
• You flourish in a collaborative environment;
• Your communication skills in English are excellent.   INFORMATION AND APPLICATION
Are you interested after reading this vacancy? Applications should include the following documents:
• A motivation letter describing why you apply for this position, with a description of your research interests (no more than 1 A4).
• A detailed CV.
• Academic transcripts from your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

The selection procedure includes an interview and scientific presentation. 

For more information, contact prof.dr.ir. M.B. de Rooij: m.b.derooij@utwente.nl
Please upload your application before 5th April 2020 via the ‘Apply now’ link below.

• We offer a four-year fulltime PhD position.
• We provide a stimulating, modern research environment with world-class research facilities. 
• A starting salary of  € 2.325 gross per month in the first year and increasing to € 2.972 gross per month in the fourth year.
• An annual holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and an annual year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• A solid pension scheme.
• Minimum of 29 leave days in case of full-time employment.
• We provide excellent mentorship and a stimulating research environment to accelerate your further professional and personal growth.
• The University of Twente is situated on a green and lively campus with lots of facilities for sports and other activities.

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: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centra and Digital Society Institute.