Digital twins of next-generation medical devices that are continually coupled to manufacturing and usage data will become an intrinsic part in the product lifecycle of these highly complex systems. These intricacies of digital twins development result from complex 3D geometries, multiple materials, multiple length- and time- scales as well as nonlinear mechanical response due to the used materials, loading conditions and continuously changing contact conditions with the surrounding human tissue (e.g., arteries), as shown in the figure below.

A key characteristic of a digital twin is its ability to reflect the status of the physical asset in the most accurate way, which suggests a near real-time response. This indicates that the numerical models that describe the mechanical behaviour of the device during test and usage should be extremely fast. To this end, reduced order modelling (ROM) approaches should be developed that result in a significant reduction in calculation time while ensuring high accuracy of the model results.

Section description

The research activities of the Mechanics of Materials group (www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/mechanics-of-materials/) concentrate on the fundamental understanding of various macroscopic problems in materials processing and forming, which emerge from the physics and the mechanics of the underlying material microstructure. The main challenge is the accurate prediction of mechanical properties of materials with complex microstructures, with a direct focus on industrial needs. The thorough understanding and modelling of 'unit' processes that can be identified in the complex evolving microstructure is thereby a key issue. The group has a unique research infrastructure, both from an experimental and computational perspective. The Multi-Scale Lab allows for quantitative in-situ microscopic measurements during deformation and mechanical characterization and constitutes the main source for all experimental research on various mechanical aspects of materials within the range of 10-9 - 10-2 m. In terms of computer facilities, several multiprocessor-multi-core computer clusters are available, as well as a broad spectrum of in-house and commercial software.

• A master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related discipline is required, most preferably with a specialization in continuum mechanics and computational methods including their implementation in advanced numerical frameworks
• A research oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in a team and interested in collaborating with the industrial partners.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences.
• A full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation after one year.
• To support you during your PhD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will have free access to a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program).
• A gross monthly salary and benefits in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary.
• A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.