Postdoctoral position in modelling and structural optimization of composite structures

Aalborg Universitet; Aalborg; On-site; DKK 520,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

Aalborg University invites applications for a full-time, fixed-term postdoctoral position in the Department of Materials and Production. The role focuses on advanced modelling, optimization and design of composite and lightweight structures, with applications such as wind turbine blades.

You will work within the Solid and Computational Mechanics group on FE methods, numerical simulations and collaborative research with industrial partners, while contributing to teaching and supervision of

Qualifications

• PhD in mechanical engineering or a closely related field.
• Strong background in solid and computational mechanics.
• Experience with finite element methods and numerical modelling.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to research and teaching within advanced modelling and design.
• Develop and apply FE methods for composite and sandwich structures.
• Participate in supervision and teaching at relevant programmes.
• Publish research results and present at conferences.
• Collaborate with industrial partners if applicable.

Skills

Finite element methods

Computational mechanics

Teaching and supervision

English communication

Education

PhD in mechanical engineering or related field

Tools

High-performance computing

FEM software

Job description

This is a full-time, fixed-term postdoctoral position for one year at the Department of Materials and Production in Aalborg, starting on 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. As a postdoc, you will contribute to research and teaching within advanced modelling, optimization and design of composite and lightweight structures for applications such as wind turbine blades.

Your work tasks

In this position, you will be part of the research environment within the Solid and Computational Mechanics research group at the Department of Materials and Production in Aalborg. The group works with advanced modelling and design of structural systems and materials, and you will contribute to strengthening the department’s activities in areas related to composite and sandwich structures and optimization of mechanical structures. The position combines independent research responsibilities with active participation in teaching and supervision at relevant engineering programmes.

Your primary research work will focus on composite materials, laminated composites, core materials and sandwich structures, with particular emphasis on applications in wind turbine blades and other lightweight structures. A central part of the position is the development and application of finite element methods for modelling static strength and fatigue behaviour, as well as design and optimization of complex structures. You will work with structural optimization, including sizing, shape and topology optimization, and multi-material and thickness optimization, and you will integrate engineering practices such as design for manufacturing, design for sustainability and robust design and optimization into your research.

The position has a clear focus on computational approaches. You will use scientific and high-performance computing to build and run advanced numerical models, carry out simulations and analyse results in a systematic and transparent way. Depending on ongoing projects, you may be involved in collaboration with industrial partners, for example in the wind energy sector, and you will be expected to contribute to the dissemination of research results through scientific publications and presentations at relevant conferences and workshops.

Teaching and supervision form an integral part of the position. You will contribute to teaching and supervision at the relevant educational programmes at the department, for example within mechanics, numerical methods, materials or related areas. This may include lecturing and project supervision at bachelor and master level. You will take responsibility for planning and carrying out your teaching in coordination with colleagues and programme coordinators, and you will support students in developing both their technical understanding and their ability to work with complex engineering problems.

Your competencies

You hold a PhD degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field, and you have a strong background in solid and computational mechanics. You have solid experience with finite element methods, and you can work confidently with the formulation, implementation and critical assessment of numerical models for structural analysis. You have documented experience with structural optimization and are familiar with approaches to sizing, shape and topology optimization of composite and sandwich structures. You are comfortable working with scientific and high-performance computing and can use these tools in a systematic way to analyse complex problems.

Experience with design for manufacturing, design for sustainability and robust design and optimization will be considered highly relevant, as these aspects are central to the development of reliable and efficient engineering solutions. You are able to present your research in a clear and structured manner in scientific papers and at conferences, and you are interested in contributing to the development of new research ideas and project proposals.

As a colleague, you work closely with others in the research group and across the department. You take responsibility for your own research projects and for your teaching and supervision tasks, and you are willing to contribute actively to a collaborative research environment. You are comfortable in an international academic setting, and you can communicate clearly in English, both in writing and orally, when working with colleagues and students. You are ready to engage constructively in discussions about research, teaching and development of the study programmes, and you approach both research and teaching tasks with an analytical and structured mindset.

Who we are

The Department of Materials and Production at Aalborg University conducts research and education within materials, mechanics, manufacturing and production engineering. In Aalborg, you will join a research group that has a strong focus on solid and computational mechanics and that works with advanced modelling, design and analysis of structural systems and materials. The department has close connections to industrial partners, including companies in the wind energy sector, and many projects are carried out in collaboration with external stakeholders, which gives good opportunities to work with engineering challenges that are closely connected to real-world applications.

You will become part of a team where researchers, postdocs, PhD students and technical staff collaborate on both fundamental and applied research. The daily work takes place in an environment where there is room for professional discussion and knowledge sharing, and where colleagues support each other in balancing research, teaching and supervision responsibilities. There is a strong tradition for project work with students and for integrating research topics into teaching activities, which gives good opportunities to involve students in your research area. Within the framework of the position, there will typically be opportunities to participate in relevant conferences and workshops and to build an international network within solid and computational mechanics.

Qualification requirements

Appointmentaspostdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.

Do you have any questions?

If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

Further information

Read more about our recruitment process here

The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Salary and terms of employment

The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (in Danish).

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (only in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (only in Danish).

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world

Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.