PhD in Electromagnetic and Thermal Design Optimization Framework

Are you a motivated researcher with a strong background in applied low-frequency electromagnetics, or applied physics, or electromechanics? We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our research team in an ambitious 5-year project AI-driven Holistic Design and Control Tools for Planar Motors. You’ll be part of an excellent team at the Electromechanics and Power Electronics (EPE) Group at the Department of Electrical Engineering, and work in a close collaboration with other two PhD students and PostDocs in the Control Systems group of Eindhoven University and Computational Design and Mechanics research group at Delft University of Technology.

Information
High-precision motion systems for semiconductor manufacturing demand extreme accuracy, high throughput, and minimal thermal losses, yet current design processes are slow and fragmented. This project tackles the challenge by developing AI-driven, multi-physics design tools that integrate electromagnetic, thermal, and mechanical aspects into one holistic optimization framework, enabling faster, cost-effective, and innovative electromechanical actuator designs.

As a PhD candidate in the Electromechanics and Power Electronics group, you will develop advanced electromagnetic and thermal modeling frameworks for MAGLEV planar motors with moving permanent magnets and stationary coils. Your work will include creating computationally efficient magnetostatic formulations, designing optimal winding and magnet configurations using inverse modelling technique, and coupling these with thermal and cooling strategies to ensure robust performance. You will implement topology and shape optimization techniques for complex geometries, integrate multi-physics constraints, and validate your models through experimental setups and performance measurements. The research will lead to robust software tools and real-world prototype demonstrations in close collaboration with seven leading partners from high-tech industry.

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Prof. dr. E.A. Lomonova (e.lomonova@tue.nl) or dr. C. Ciuhu (c.ciuhu@tue.nl).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services Flux, hrservices.flux@tue.nl.

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