GeneralAdvanced materials, materials applications and manufacturing methods rely on the fundamental understanding of the physics and mechanics of the underlying microstructure and the influence of complex processing steps affecting this microstructure, governing the mechanical behavior of materials under various loading conditions. The development of this fundamental understanding requires bridging the gap between science and technology in the area of processing, analysis and design, through the use of novel experimental tools. The experimental analysis, theoretical understanding and predictive modelling of a large range of problems in engineering involve different length scales, each of which necessitates dedicated experimental methods forming a hand-shake with skills from the mathematical and computational domain.
Conventional materials are endowed with a morphology and microstructure that is designed and processed up-front, and which is not purposely altered thereafter. Allowing materials to change morphology and properties over time (the 4th dimension) in a controlled manner, enables materials to behave as actuators or sensors, or to be programmable. Hybrid materials are key for next-generation engineering systems, but also for combining synthetic and natural materials in advanced sensors and actuators, soft robotics, wearable devices, BioMEMS, organ-on-a-chip, and implants.
Research field of the candidateThe Department of Mechanical Engineering of the TU/e seeks to hire an enthusiastic faculty member who should play a leading role in addressing challenges and trends in one of the research areas
- Advanced Multi-functional 4D Materials
- Experimental composites engineering for high-performance & circularity
- Materials for soft sensing, soft actuating for wearable e-health applications
We welcome you to apply to a (tenure-track) assistant, associate or full professor position and you are expected to have knowledge of new materials and manufacturing techniques and relevant application fields of mechanical engineering. The candidate should have an aspiration to establish an own research profile and demonstrate a clear strategy on how to contribute to the internationally renowned research of our department. It is the vision of TU/e that staff fosters a collaborative network with other academics working on the topic within the department, interdisciplinary within and beyond TU/e's research institutes, as well as with industry.
EducationYou will contribute to the existing BSc program Mechanical Engineering and the MSc program Mechanical Engineering within the department. You will be supported in obtaining the University Teaching Qualification ('BKO'). Next to teaching, you will mentor, guide and supervise BSc and MSc students with their study progress, internship and graduation projects and PhD students.
EmbeddingThe candidate will co-operate with existing research sections in the Department, in particular the sections Processing and Performance of Materials (formerly Polymer Technology), Mechanics of Materials, and Microsystems. Depending on the function level to which the candidate applies, the candidate's own group can be embedded in one of these sections. The department fosters a personnel strategy stimulating personal growth towards faculty forming individual groups within larger coherent research programs.
The candidate will be specifically embedded in the Materials Technology institute (MaTe) within the University and also in one or more of the national research schools Engineering Mechanics (EM), Eindhoven Polymer Laboratories (EPL) and J.M. Burgerscentrum (JMBC).