PhD: Impact Analysis for Advanced Composites (Hybrid)

Werkenbijnlr; Netherlands; Hybrid; EUR 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

45 days off

8% end-of-year bonus

Healthcare costs covered

Extra paid parental leave

Work from home where possible

Job summary

The Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) invites a highly motivated PhD candidate to join the Computational Mechanics team for a 4-year research track. You will develop and compare high-fidelity computational methods for dynamic, high-velocity impacts on advanced composite structures.

The position is based in Marknesse with a Delft presence and home days, supporting a collaboration with Delft University of Technology.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Civil Engineering with a focus on computational mechanics.
• Experience with Finite Element Modelling (FEM), aerospace structures, and damage mechanics.
• Excellent communication skills in spoken and written English.
• Able to balance broad research scope and real-world application.

Responsibilities

• Research the available computational methods and open-source software for simulating high-velocity impacts.
• Implement and further develop the most promising method, including material models.
• Develop computationally efficient surrogate models and integrate into a design optimisation framework.
• Collaborate with NLR colleagues in Marknesse and with Delft University of Technology supervisors.
• Contribute to the comprehensive literature review and dissemination of results.

Skills

FEM experience

Damage mechanics

Aerospace structures

English communication

Education

Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Job description

The Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) invites a highly motivated PhD candidate to join the Computational Mechanics team for a 4-year research track. You will develop and compare high-fidelity computational methods for dynamic, high-velocity impacts on advanced composite structures.

The position is based in Marknesse with a Delft presence and home days, supporting a collaboration with Delft University of Technology.