PhD (4 years) on numerical simulation of composite hydrogen tanks

Academic Positions; Belgium; On-site; EUR 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Ghent University in Belgium invites applications for a PhD vacancy focused on finite element modelling of pressurized hydrogen storage tanks and composite materials. The project collaborates with automotive industry partners and offers access to high-performance computing facilities and national/international conferences.

Successful candidates hold a Master degree and show strong interest in computational mechanics, materials modelling, and teamwork across academia and industry.

Qualifications

• Master degree in Mechanical/Civil/Computational/Biomedical Engineering or similar.
• Strong interest in computational mechanics of composite materials.
• Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken).
• Ability to work collaboratively with industry and academia.

Skills

Computational mechanics

Mechanics of materials

Finite element methods

Education

Master degree

Tools

Finite element software

Job description

Organisation/Company Ghent University Research Field Engineering » Industrial engineering Engineering » Materials engineering Engineering » Mechanical engineering Engineering » Other Physics » Computational physics Physics » Thermodynamics Technology » Energy technology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 17 Jan 2027 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

[Net salary (after taxes) starting from 2600 EUR/month]

Belgium has been taking a leading position in the transition towards a hydrogen economy thanks to many companies and research institutes active in hydrogen technologies. In addition, Belgium has currently the second largest hydrogen pipeline network in the world and has a strategic position in Western Europe as an import and transit hub for renewable H2 molecules.

In the context of these global and local evolutions, Ghent University (UGent) focuses on an important link in the future hydrogen economy, being the storage of hydrogen in pressurized composite tanks, both in the vehicle itself as in refueling stations. Indeed, the success of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles depends both on the development of safe storage options in the vehicle, as well as a supporting refueling infrastructure.

UGent-MMS is partner in a large new research project with several leading companies in the automotive industry. This research project aims at developing composite solutions for future hydrogen storage tanks. This PhD vacancy is focused on the finite element modelling and design of the pressurized composite tank, in different operational conditions (pressurization, depletion, thermomechanical loads). The research will be done in close collaboration with the involved industrial partners.

The PhD researcher will also closely work together with the other doctoral and postdoctoral colleagues that work on composite hydrogen tanks, to form a strong and complementary team for this highly challenging research topic.

Only candidates with a Master degree should apply. The candidate should have a strong interest in computational mechanics of composite materials, and should be enthusiastic to work in a collaborative project between industry and academia.

Contact person ?

The responsible person at Ghent University is Prof. Wim VAN PAEPEGEM. He has 25 years of experience in mechanics of composites and finite element simulations. More information on the achievements of the research group can be found on http://www.composites.ugent.be/ .

• you are interested in research and have obtained a Master and/or PhD degree,
• you are interested to interact and collaborate closely with the industrial partners during the research period,
• you have an education in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computational Mechanics, Biomedical Engineering, or similar,
• you are familiar with mechanics of materials and experimental or computational techniques (depending on the specific vacancy requirement mentioned above),
• mastering the Dutch language is not a prerequisite, but a good knowledge of English writing and speaking is absolutely required.

What do we offer ?

• you will be working in a dynamic environment. Our group has expanded quite fast the last few years and currently, 8 postdoc's and 15 PhD students are working in our group. Besides, 18 PhD students have successfully obtained their PhD degree in the last five years,
• we have extensive experimental and numerical facilities. You will have access to several Linux workstations and a high performance computing cluster to run finite element simulations on 2000+ cores,
• we have good contacts with the regional composite and additive manufacturing industry and regional universities, so you will come into contact with industrial applications of composites and related research in other universities,
• you will get the chance to attend international conferences (e.g. ECCM, ICCM,...) and to present papers on these conferences. For those who are interested, an international exchange with another university is possible. As publications are increasingly important (also for your career afterwards), you are encouraged to publish your results not only on international conferences, but also in peer-reviewed international journals,
• you will have a personal laptop and a private workspace. All PhD students and staff have their office in the same wing of the building. The laboratories are separate in another wing of the same building,
• if you are just graduated (junior PhD student), your net income is about 2600 EUR per month. That is the amount of money that is deposited on your bank account every month (after taxes). If you have a dependent wife/husband and/or children, the salary is raised. Also seniority can be taken into account if you can show former relevant experience. The salary for postdoctoral researchers starts at 2900 EUR net income per month (after taxes).
• the cost for the PhD study itself is very limited. Our education system is very different from for example the system in the United Kingdom. When you start your PhD study, you pay a once-only tuition fee of ca. 1000 EUR, and the rest of your study is free of charge,
• the university offers compensations for public transport (train) and bicycle. The work location can be reached easily by public transport (train and tram/bus),
• a hospitalization insurance policy can be concluded,
• there are a lot of sport accommodations and other benefits (reductions on computer purchase, internet connection, fitness,...) for university personnel,
• you write a detailed Curriculum Vitae in Dutch or English, containing:
  • your personal details (name, address, date of birth, nationality,...)
  • your education, subject of master thesis and degrees
  • transcripts of records of Bachelor and Master degree
  • your work experience (previous jobs)
  • additional skills (finite element software, programming languages, communication skills, ...)
  • mastered languages (Dutch, English, French)
  • references (previous projects in the domain, published papers,...)
• you can contact Prof. Wim VAN PAEPEGEM for any additional information, either by phone or e-mail or a personal appointment.