PhD Position Microstructural Modelling of Steel Fracture

Make steel more environmentally friendly through advanced fracture analysis

Job description

We are seeking an ambitious PhD candidate who will help us to make steel more environmentally friendly by identifying the effects of recycling on the toughness of the steel.

A prior PhD study developed a statistical model that relates certain aspects of steel microstructure (e.g. grain size, size and properties of subgranular particles) to the low-temperature toughness of the material. In this project, you will extend the work by introducing a microstructurally-informed model for the high-temperature toughness into the same material. You will then update both the low and high temperature toughness models with mechanical behavior of subgranular particles based on their chemical composition. You will work closely with materials scientist within TU Delft, RWTH Aachen and University of Gent and with data scientists at University of Saarland. Your main focus will be in the use of the experimental data from the materials scientists to develop the models and upscaling to macroscopic fracture toughness data in the ductile to brittle transition. While you will work primarily in modelling, direct collaboration with the experimental part is possible (e.g. attending tests), and limited experimentation is possible based on preference.

This project is part of the EU MOWSES project, whose details can be found at https://www.mowses-steel.eu/.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in mechanics and structures. They will not be afraid to engage in writing or editing of material subroutines in FEA software (especially Abaqus), though prior knowledge of material subroutines is not a requirement at the beginning of the project

Job requirements

• You must have a masters degree in mechanical, civil, or materials engineering.
• You must have prior programming experience and be open to learning to develop material subroutines in FEA.
• You must be creative and have an ability to work independently and as part of a team.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) 

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. 

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration. 

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty Mechanical Engineering 

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems. 

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work. 

Conditions of employment 

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. 

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.  

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Additional information

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Carey Walters, via C.L.Walters@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 5 Jan 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Carey Walters.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements. 

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• A knowledge security check will be part of the selection procedure.
  (for details page 45: national knowledge security guidelines)
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.