Robust design of optimal, manufacturable, linear solutions for (low frequency) vibration migration

The KU Leuven Mecha(tro)nic System Dynamics (LMSD) and the Campus Diepenbeek Polymer Processing & Engineering (PPE) groups are searching for a research engineer to join their team to work in the challenging Horizon Europe MSCA doctoral network METRAMAT.

Project

- This PhD is part of the Horizon Europe MSCA doctoral network METRAMAT: “Enabling multi-functional reliable metamaterial integration in real-life industrial applications to enhance structural and vibrational behaviour” (Grant Agreement No. 101119917) a European Doctoral Network funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2022 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) (https://metramat.eu/). The main objective of METRAMAT Doctoral Network project is to actively train young researchers to become skilled in metamaterial development by researching and creating a combined set of design, simulation, manufacturing, testing, reliability assessment and integration tools that will strengthen the European manufacturing industry and lead to a sustainable society.
- As DC2 within this project, you will work on novel methods to derive metamaterial treatments for complex mechanic components. This includes investigating modelling strategies to scan the design space of resonant metamaterial unit cell designs and come up with efficient modelling strategies to allow efficient optimisation of this metamaterial unit cell placement on a complex host structure, especially in the absence of periodicity. Next to optimization frameworks, you will also develop “rule of thumb” design strategies for metamaterial placement, not requiring extensive numerical simulations. Lastly, you will evaluate and adapt your metamaterial design to be robust to manufacturing tolerances and process quality.
- The PhD is supervised by prof. Elke Deckers (https://www.kuleuven.be/wieiswie/nl/person/00059933) from the KU Leuven LMSD division. The research is hosted by the Mecha(tro)nic System Dynamics division (LMSD), which currently counts >100 researchers and is part of the department of mechanical engineering of KU Leuven. The research group has a long track record of combining excellent fundamental academic research with industrially relevant applications, leading to dissemination in both highly ranked academic journals as well as on industrial fora. More information on the research group can be found on the website:  https://www.mech.kuleuven.be/en/research/mod/about and our linkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/lmsd-kuleuven/.

Profile

If you recognize yourself in the story below, then you have the profile that fits the project and the research group.
- I have a master degree in engineering, physics or mathematics and performed above average in comparison to my peers. I am not in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment.
- I am proficient in written and spoken English.
- I haven’t had residence or main activities in Belgium for more than 12 months in the last 3 years.
- During my courses or prior professional activities, I have gathered some basic experience with the physical principles of structural dynamics and (vibro-)acoustics and related numerical modelling techniques, such as the Finite Element Method (FEM), as well as numerical optimization. If not, I have a profound interest in these topics. Experience with/knowledge of metamaterials and/or methods for stochastic analysis is considered as a bonus.
- As a PhD researcher of the KU Leuven LMSD division perform research in a structured and scientifically sound manner. I read technical papers, understand the nuances between different theories and implement and improve methodologies myself.
- Based on interactions and discussions with my supervisors and the colleagues in my team, I set up and update a plan of approach for the upcoming 1 to 3 months to work towards my research goals. I work with a sufficient degree of independence to follow my plan and achieve the goals. I indicate timely when deviations of the plan are required, if goals cannot be met or if I want to discuss intermediate results or issues.
- In frequent reporting, varying between weekly to monthly, I show the results that I have obtained and I give a well-founded interpretation of those results. I iterate on my work and my approach based on the feedback of my supervisors which steer the direction of my research.
- I feel comfortable to work as a team member and I am eager to share my results to inspire and being inspired by my colleagues.
- I value being part of a large research group which is well connected to the machine and transportation industry and I am eager to learn how academic research can be linked to industrial innovation roadmaps.
- During my PhD I want to grow towards following up the project that I am involved in and representing the research group on project meetings or conferences. I see these events as an occasion to disseminate my work to an audience of international experts and research colleagues, and to learn about the larger context of my research and the research project.

Offer

- A remuneration package competitive with industry standards in Belgium, a country with a high quality of life and excellent health care system. You will receive a monthly gross salary of €3400. The net income will be lower since a deduction of income tax, the social contributions, and other permitted deductions need to be considered. In addition to the net salary you will receive a mobility allowance of €600 and, if applicable, a family allowance of €600.
- An opportunity to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, typically a 4 year trajectory, in a stimulating and ambitious research environment.  
- Ample occasions to develop yourself in a scientific and/or an industrial direction. Besides opportunities offered by the research group, further doctoral training for PhD candidates is provided in the framework of the KU Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School (https://set.kuleuven.be/phd), known for its strong focus on both future scientists and scientifically trained professionals who will valorise their doctoral expertise and competences in a non-academic context. More information on the training opportunities can be found on the following link: https://set.kuleuven.be/phd/dopl/whytraining.

Interested?

To apply for this position, please follow the application tool and enclose:

1. full CV – mandatory

2. motivation letter – mandatory

3. full list of credits and grades of both BSc and MSc degrees (as well as their transcription to English if possible) – mandatory (when you haven’t finished your degree yet, just provide us with the partial list of already available credits and grades)

4. proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, …) - if available

5. two reference letters - if available

6. an English version of MSc or PhD thesis, or of a recent publication or assignment - if available

For more information please contact dr. Claus Claeys (mail: claus.claeys@kuleuven.be), dr. Régis Boukadia (mail: regis.boukadia@kuleuven.be ) and Prof. Elke Deckers (mail: elke.deckers@kuleuven.be ) by mail and mention ‘METRAMAT DC2’ in the title.

You can apply for this job no later than May 19, 2024 via the online application tool

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