Research Associate (PhD student, m/f/d): Model management for constitutive model discovery

European Commission; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 30.000 - 50.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

The Institute of Applied Mechanics at Technische Universität Braunschweig is seeking a Research Associate (PhD student) in Materials Engineering. The successful candidate will pursue a PhD focusing on multiscale mechanical analysis, combining solid mechanics with machine learning. This role offers the chance to engage in cutting-edge research in a supportive and innovative environment.

Leistungen

Latest laptops and compute servers

Flexible working and part-time options

30 days' vacation per year

Access to extensive experimental equipment

Family-friendly university culture

Qualifikationen

• Strong background in continuum solid mechanics and computational methods.
• Prior experience in machine learning and coding in Python required.
• Very good English skills; German is a plus.

Aufgaben

• Carry out research in data-driven mechanics.
• Publish findings and participate in conferences.
• Get involved in teaching and coursework at the university.

Kenntnisse

Continuum solid mechanics

Machine learning

Python

German

Teamwork

Ausbildung

Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields

Jobbeschreibung

Organisation/Company Technische Universität Braunschweig Department Institute of Applied Mechanics Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Germany Application Deadline 30 Jun 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Negotiable Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

With more than 16,000 students and 3,800 employees, theTechnische Universität Braunschweigis one of Germany´s leading institutes of technology. It stands for strategic and performance-oriented thinking and acting, relevant research, committed teaching, and the successful transfer of knowledge and technologies to the economy and society. We consistently advocate for family friendliness and equal opportunities.

Our research focuses on mobility, engineering for health, metrology, and city of the future. Strong engineering and natural sciences are our core disciplines. These are closely interconnected with economics, social and educational sciences and humanities.

Our campus is located in the midst of one of the most research-intensive regions in Europe. We work successfully together with over 20 research institutions in our neighbourhood as we do with our international partner universities.

Starting from the earliest possible date, the Institute of Applied Mechanics is looking for a

Research Associate (PhD student, m/f/d):

(EG 13 TV-L, full-time/part-time)

The position is to be filled on a fixed-term basis for an initial period of 3 years. The successful applicant will be given the opportunity to pursue a doctorate.

The project: The composition and structure of materials at smaller scales determines their behaviour on the component scale, the one relevant for designers. The most accurate (and most expensive) way of describing the interaction of the different scales is via the FE2 square method. Instead, this project aims to discover macroscopic constitutive models from small scale simulations prior to macroscopic analysis. In order to minimize the computational effort related to the training data generation, multi-fidelity along with model management strategies will be employed.

Besides the primary application in multiscale mechanics, we aim to apply the developed non-intrusive model management framework also in other civil engineering contexts.

The group: Within the Institute of Applied Mechanics, the applicant will be associated with the Division Data-driven modelling of mechanical systems led by Prof. Henning Wessels. The group’s research focuses on the exciting intersection of (nonlinear) continuum solid mechanics, machine learning and uncertainty quantification. Further details regarding our research activities and recent publications can be found on our website .

• You will carry out research in the area of data-driven mechanics, i.e. design, implement and test computational methods and machine learning algorithms.
• You will publish research findings and participate in national and international conferences.
• You will be involved in teaching at the University (preparation and implementation of courses as well as supervision of students’ work).

Your Qualifications

• You have a strong background in continuum solid mechanics, prior experience in machine learning (and ideally in Bayesian statistics).
• You have experience in and do enjoy coding, in particular with Python (or Matlab). Julia is a plus.
• You have very good English language skills. German language skills are of advantage.
• You are flexible and work well in a team, while also being capable of working independently with a high degree of initiative.
• You have a degree (Master’s or equivalent) with a strong focus on continuum solid mechanics and computational methods (for instance in mechanical, civil or computational engineering, applied or techno-mathematics, or similar).

We offer

• Latest laptops and compute servers, as well as height-adjustable desks in light-flooded offices.
• Access to extensive experimental equipment (and real-world data).
• Pay in accordance with the collective agreement TV-L (a special payment at the end of the year as well as a supplementary benefit in the form of a company pension, comparable to a company pension in the private sector) including 30 days' vacation per year.
• Flexible working and part-time options and a family-friendly university culture, awarded the "Family-friendly university" audit since 2007.
• Special continuing education programs for young scientists, a postdoc program, as well as other offerings from the Central Personnel Development Department and sports activities.
• Work on exciting future-oriented research topics in an inspiring work environment as part of the university community (exemplified, e.g., by an active GAMM junior group).
• A vibrant campus life in an international atmosphere with lots of intercultural offers and international cooperations.

Further notes

We welcome applicants of all nationalities. At the same time, we encourage people with severe disabilities to apply. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Please attach a proof of disability to your application. We are also working on the fulfilment of the Central Equality Plan based on the Lower Saxony Equal Rights Act (Niedersächsisches Gleichberechtigungsgesetz—NGG) and strive to reduce under-representation in all areas and positions as defined by the NGG. Therefore, applications from women are particularly welcome in this case.

The personal data will be stored for the purpose of processing the application. By submitting your application, you agree that your data may be stored and processed electronically for application purposes in compliance with the provisions of data protection law. Further information on data protection can be found in our data protection regulations at https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/datenschutzerklaerung-bewerbungen Application costs cannot be reimbursed.

Deadline for applications is June 30, 2025

Are you interested? Please send your application via email to application-iam(at)tu-braunschweig.de Please make sure your application contains a cover letter (max. 2 pages), your CV, transcripts and relevant certificates in one single file (pdf).

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute TU Braunschweig - Institute of Applied Mechanics Country Germany Geofield