PhD Position Structural Health in the MSCA Doctoral Network ASSESS - at KU Leuven, Belgium

PhD Vacancy for a Doctoral Candidate (DC10) in digital-twins for Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures in the MSCA Doctoral Network ASSESS - at KU Leuven, Belgium

Job description

The selected DC will work on digital-twins for Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures. This PhD is part of the ASSESS project, you can read more about this here.

Research Fields:

Ultrasound and Vibration, Structural Dynamics, Composite Structures, 3D Printed Structures, Damage, Assessment, Structural Health Monitoring, Structural Health Prognosis, Bayesian Statistics, Machine Learning

Secondments:

EPFL, Switzerland

Politecnico di Torino, Italy

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research as outlined in the project’s objectives under the supervision of Prof. Dimitrios Chronopoulos.
• Engage in secondments as part of the project’s training activities.
• Contribute to academic publications, project reports, and other dissemination activities.
• Participate in structured training programs and network-wide events organized by the consortium.
• Collaborate with international partners and other Doctoral Candidates within the network.

Principal Supervisor:

Prof. Dimitrios Chronopoulos

Requirements 

Eligibility Criteria

• A Master's degree (or equivalent).
• Not in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.
• Recruited applicants can be of any nationality and must undertake trans-national mobility (i.e., move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. In particular, at the time of selection, the recruited applicant for this position must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Belgium for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. You will be asked to enclose evidence to prove this. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.-

Required Skills:

• Applicants should be able to demonstrate consistent knowledge in the areas of engineering dynamics and/or numerical modelling and/or data post-processing.
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills.
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Optional Skills:

• Experience in structural dynamics modelling
• Statistical modelling skills
• English Requirement: High level of proficiency in English (will be tested at interview). 

Academic Host:

KU Leuven – Mechanical Engineering Department – Mecha(tro)nic Systems Dynamics Group

KU Leuven consistently ranks among the top 50 universities in the world by major ranking tables with the Department of Mechanical Engineering being ranked amongst the 30 best worldwide. For four years in a row, Thomson Reuters ranked KU Leuven as Europe's no.1 most innovative university, with its researchers having patented more products than any other university in Europe.

https://www.kuleuven.be/kuleuven

Conditions of employment 

Salary: The successful candidate will receive a competitive and attractive academic remuneration package in accordance with MSCA regulations for doctoral candidates. The researcher will be employed under a contract that includes social security coverage and pension rights.

The financial package includes the following*:

• Monthly living allowance: €3,400/month, adjusted by applying the country correction coefficient for the country of recruitment (Belgium). The coefficients are outlined in Table 1 of MSCA Work Programme 2023-24 version adopted on 6 December 2022 (European Commission Decision C(2022) 7550 (https://adaptmet.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FINAL-PUBLISHED_6Dec2022_-wp-2-msca-actions_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf)
• Monthly mobility allowance: €600/month.
• Monthly family allowance (if applicable, depending on family situation): €660/month.
   

*The living allowance above represents the total EU contribution to the researcher’s salary costs. The estimated gross salary is approximately €3,400.00 per month (only considering the living allowance), inclusive of both employee and employer tax contributions. The net salary will be calculated by deducting these contributions and any other applicable national taxes (e.g., income tax) from the gross amount.

Other Benefits:

The doctoral candidate will also benefit from comprehensive training within the ASSESS network, including participation in at least six specialized Training Events organized by the MSCA-ASSESS network. Additional opportunities include secondments to partner laboratories, a range of advanced training courses (including transferable skills development), and active engagement in workshops and international conferences, providing a well-rounded and enriching research experience. Expected Start Date: Q2 2025

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Prof. Dimitrios Chronopoulos, via dimitrios.chronopoulos@kuleuven.be. 

The Horizon Europe MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE ACTION Doctoral Network (DN) ASSESS (Automated online monitoring of Smart compoSitE StructureS - Grant Agreement Number 101168031) offers 12 exciting PhD positions to develop next-generation smart composites for strategic European industries such as aviation, space, and wind energy.

Composite materials with embedded sensors and nanomaterials hold the potential for real-time structural health monitoring. However, industrial adoption is hindered by challenges in sensor integration, automated data analysis, standardization, and operator training. ASSESS bridges the gap between research and industry by advancing the design, manufacturing, and testing of Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites.

As part of a multidisciplinary consortium of 9 beneficiaries and 13 Associated Partners, you will engage in pioneering research on:

• Smart composites and cutting-edge sensing technologies
• Advanced simulations and AI-driven data analysis
• Digital twins and Industry 4.0 innovations

Through collaborative projects, international secondments, and specialized training, you'll contribute to safer, lighter, and more efficient composite components, reducing CO₂ emissions, enhancing wind energy production, and supporting Europe's green transition.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 28 February 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Detailed CV, including information on the candidate’s proficiency in English
• Motivational letter (1 page), describing why the position fits the applicant
• Contact information of 2 references
• Copy of Master’s degree diploma
• Copies of any other relevant certifications listed within CV

Selection Criteria: Candidates will be evaluated based on their academic background, research experience, and alignment with the project’s objectives. The selection process will be open, transparent, merit-based, impartial, and equitable.

Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a structured interview with predefined questions and a scoring system.
 

You can address your application to Prof. Dimitrios Chronopoulos.

 
Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.