Centre for textile science and engineering

Jobs

Vacancy for PhD/postdoc on finite element modelling of textile materials and processes

Job description

We are looking for a PhD/postdoc for a research project on textile modelling. In this project, the main purpose is to develop a multi-scale textile modelling framework that allows accurate simulation of textile manufacturing processes such as yarn unwinding from a bobbin, weft insertion during weaving, stitching and tufting. This framework is implemented using finite element modelling as well as virtual fibre modelling. Key here are the dynamics of these systems as most textile production happens at high speeds. Moreover, the approach should entail both kinematics as well as mechanics such that predictive simulations of textile manufacturing can be made. This is still a very new research topic and many scientific questions remain unanswered. Lastly, alongside a strong numerical research focus, there is also an experimental research track focusing on advanced mechanical testing of textile materials both on lab-scale and industrial scale (e.g. in-situ measurements on textile machines). Using techniques such as Digital Image Correlation and high speed camera’s we gain much better insights into the rate-dependent behaviour of different textile materials, ranging from yarn to fabric. These measurements will also serve as input to and validation of the numerical models.

What are we looking for

Requirements

  • Experience with finite element mechanical modelling;
  • Master’s degree and/or PhD in mechanical engineering, computational mechanics, materials science, or similar;
  • Familiar with mechanics of materials and experimental and computational techniques;
  • Good knowledge of English writing and speaking;

Nice to haves

  • Knowledge of Abaqus™ or other commercial FEA packages;
  • Experience with, or a background in, textile materials and processes;

What do we offer

  • We have extensive experimental and numerical facilities. You will have access to several workstations and a high performance computing cluster to run finite element simulations;
  • You will get the chance to attend international conferences (e.g. AUTEX, ECCM, ICCM,...) and to present papers on these conferences. You are encouraged to publish your results not only on international conferences, but also in peer-reviewed international scientific journals;
  • A personal laptop and workspace;
  • The university offers compensations for public transport (train) and bicycle. The work location can be reached easily by public transport (train and tram/bus);
  • There are a lot of sport accommodations and other benefits (reductions on computer purchase, internet connection, fitness, hospitalization insurance policy, ...) for university personnel;
  • As a PhD, your net income is about 2000 EUR per month. As a junior postdoc, your net income is about 2500 EUR per month. That is the amount of money that is deposited on your bank account every month (after taxes);

Where

You will work at the Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering at Ghent University under prof. Lode DAELEMANS (Centre for Textile Science and Engineering, https://textiles.ugent.be) and prof. Wim VAN PAEPEGEM (Mechanics of Materials and Structures, https://composites.ugent.be). Ghent University is a large university in Belgium, counting about 45,000 students and consistently ranks among the best 100 universities in the world. The research group and its laboratories are situated in the Tech Lane Science Park in the south of Ghent (Technologiepark 70, 9052 Zwijnaarde). The campus is easily accessed by bike, bus or car.

Duration

Full time position of 4 years for PhD.

Full time position of 18 - 24 months for postdoc.

Timeframe to start Q2-Q4 of 2023.

Contact person

The contact person and promotor of this PhD vacancy is Prof. Lode DAELEMANS (research profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=4mTrbq8AAAAJ&hl=en).

How to apply

Please write a detailed Curriculum Vitae in Dutch or English, containing:

  • Personal details (name, nationality, date of birth, …);
  • Education and degrees, include subject of master’s thesis, PhD thesis;
  • Transcript of records of bachelor’s and master’s degree;
  • Work experience (previous jobs);
  • Additional skills (finite element software, programming, communication, experimental techniques, …);
  • Language skills;
  • References (previous relevant projects, published papers, conference contributions, …);

Send the C.V. by e-mail to Lode.Daelemans@UGent.be using the subject ‘Application for Vacancy 20230101’.