Student Project / Master’s Thesis (f/m/div) – Topology Optimization of Shell Structures for Compliant Mechanisms

Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems; Stuttgart; On-site; EUR 21,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid HiWi position (€15.61 per hour)

Access to research environment and HPC

Job summary

The Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) invites applications for a Master’s thesis or student research project focusing on topology optimization of shell structures. The project integrates structural optimization with finite element simulations and adaptive numerical methods, tailored to the student’s background and interests.

Applicants should be enrolled in a Master’s program in a mechanical/related field, with strong interest in computational mechanics, numerical methods,

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a Master’s program in a relevant engineering/physics field.
• Solid background or strong interest in computational mechanics, numerical methods, and optimization.
• Programming experience.
• Ability to work independently and reliably.
• Good oral and written English communication.

Responsibilities

• Review existing topology optimization approaches for compliant structures.
• Develop a topology optimization framework for shell structures.
• Implement topology representations (level-set or phase-field).
• Couple the optimization framework with finite element simulations.
• Formulate objectives and constraints for compliant structure design.
• Test and validate methods on numerical examples.
• Analyze influence of optimization formulations and design parameters.

Skills

Computational mechanics

Numerical methods

Optimization

Programming

Independent work

English communication

Education

Master’s program in mechanical/civil/aerospace computational engineering or related field

Tools

Finite element software

Level-set methods

Phase-field methods

Job description

The Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) conducts research to advance intelligent systems that perceive, learn, and interact. Through fundamental research across computational, physical, and social dimensions, we shape artificial intelligence and robotics to advance knowledge and benefit society.

Roles & Responsibilities

Topology optimization enables the systematic design of structures by identifying material layouts and structural configurations that achieve a desired mechanical behavior. Combined with computational mechanics, it provides powerful tools for the design of lightweight, adaptive, and compliant structures.

In this project, the student will investigate topology optimization methods for shell structures, with a particular focus on compliant mechanisms. The project will involve the development and implementation of numerical optimization methods and their integration with finite element simulations. Depending on the specific research direction, different topology optimization approaches, such as level-set or phase-field methods, may be investigated.

Typical tasks include:

• reviewing existing approaches for topology optimization of compliant structures,
• developing a topology optimization framework for shell structures,
• implementing suitable topology representations, such as level-set or phase-field methods,
• coupling the optimization framework with finite element simulations,
• formulating suitable objective functions and constraints for the design of compliant structures,
• testing and validating the developed methods on numerical examples,
• analyzing the influence of different optimization formulations and design parameters on the resulting structural designs.

The exact scope of the project will be adapted to the student’s background and interests.

Education & Experience

Applicants should

• be enrolled in a Master’s program in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, aerospace engineering, computational engineering, applied mathematics, physics, or a related field,
• have a solid background or strong interest in computational mechanics, numerical methods, and optimization,
• have programming experience,
• be able to work independently and reliably,
• have good oral and written communication skills in English.

Our offer

• A well-defined research project at the interface of computational mechanics and structural optimization
• Hands-on experience in topology optimization and nonlinear finite element analysis
• The opportunity to contribute to research software developed and used within the group
• Close interaction with PhD students and the group leader
• Access to the research environment and computational resources of the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
• The possibility of an accompanying paid student assistant (HiWi) position. Students holding a Bachelor’s degree are currently paid €15.61 per hour. Contracts are typically issued per semester.

The project can be carried out as a Master’s thesis or another student research project. A combination with a student assistant position may be possible depending on the project setup and applicable employment regulations.

We value diversity and are committed to equal opportunity. The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in its workforce in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.