PhD: Fatigue phase-field damage modelling of rubber

About the SnT

SnT is a leading international research and innovation centre in secure, reliable and trustworthy ICT systems and services. We play an instrumental role in Luxembourg by fueling innovation through research partnerships with industry, boosting R&D investments leading to economic growth, and attracting highly qualified talent.

We're looking for people driven by excellence, excited about innovation, and looking to make a difference. If this sounds like you, you've come to the right place!

Your Role

The computational mechanics group of Prof. Stéphane Bordas and Dr. Lars Beex (www.uni.lu) is searching for a PhD student to work on the fatigue life of elastomers under elevated temperatures. All work is carried out in close cooperation with industrial partner SISTO Armaturen S.A. (www.sisto-aseptic.com, www.ksb.com).

Project

The mechanical behaviour of rubber depends on numerous phenomena. It depends amongst others on the temperature, the surrounding medium, the radiation exposure, the deformation and the deformation rate. For appropriate descriptions, such quantities must not only be known in the present, the entire history of many of these quantities is required.

The ultimate goal of this project is to predict the fatigue life of elastomers when exposed to different temperature profiles. To this end, a phase-field damage model is to be formulated and implemented. Experimental data is to be collected to formulate the model and to identify its parameters. Because of the simulation times associated with fatigue life predictions under cyclic loading, a numerical procedure is to formulated and implemented to accelerate the simulations.

Your Profile

Aspiring researchers interested in a PhD project with strong industrial relevance are encouraged to apply. Only those who hold a master's degree or will hold one in the near future will be considered. The candidate's thesis project must have focused on the mechanics of materials and/or the computational mechanics of solids.

Here's what awaits you at SnT

• A stimulating learning environment. Here post-docs and professors outnumber PhD students. That translates into access and close collaborations with some of the brightest ICT researchers, giving you solid guidance
• Exciting infrastructures and unique labs. At SnT's two campuses, our researchers can take a walk on the moon at the LunaLab, build a nanosatellite, or help make autonomous vehicles even better
• The right place for IMPACT. SnT researchers engage in demand-driven projects. Through our Partnership Programme, we work on projects with more than 55 industry partners
• Multiple funding sources for your ideas. The University supports researchers to acquire funding from national, European and private sources
• Competitive salary package. The University offers a 12 month-salary package, over six weeks of paid time off, meal vouchers and health insurance
• Be part of a multicultural family. At SnT we have more than 60 nationalities. Throughout the year, we organise team-building events, networking activities and more
• Boost your career. Students can take advantage of several opportunities for growth and career development, from free language classes to career resources and extracurricular activities

But wait, there's more!

• Complete picture of the perks we offer
• Discover our Partnership Programme

How to apply

Applications should include:

• Letter
• CV
• Academic transcripts (including your grades)

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month (extendable up to 48 months if required)
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Kirchberg
• Employee and student status
• Job Reference: UOL06330

The yearly gross salary for every PhD at the UL is EUR 40952 (full time)