PhD in Computational Impact Analysis of Advanced Composites

NLR; Marknesse; Hybrid; EUR 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

No fewer than 45 days off

8% end-of-year bonus

Healthcare costs contribution

Extra paid parental leave

Work from home where possible

Job summary

NLR in the Netherlands is seeking a PhD candidate within the Computational Mechanics team to develop high-fidelity and surrogate models for advanced composite structures used in aerospace applications.

The project combines literature review, method development (FEM/mesh-free/SPH), and integration into design optimisation. You will work closely with NLR and Delft University, based in Marknesse with some Delft and home days.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Civil Engineering with a focus on computational mechanics.
• Experience with FEM and damage mechanics in aerospace structures.
• Excellent communication skills in spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Research computational methods and open-source software for simulating high-velocity impact events.
• Assess methods such as finite element analysis, mesh-free methods and SPH for complex damage phenomena.
• Implement and develop selected methods and material models.
• Develop surrogate models and integrate into a design optimisation framework for rapid iterations.
• Collaborate with NLR colleagues in Marknesse and with Delft University supervisors.

Skills

FEM

Computational mechanics

Damage mechanics

English communication

Education

Master’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Civil Eng (computational mechanics)

Job description

NLR in the Netherlands is seeking a PhD candidate within the Computational Mechanics team to develop high-fidelity and surrogate models for advanced composite structures used in aerospace applications.

The project combines literature review, method development (FEM/mesh-free/SPH), and integration into design optimisation. You will work closely with NLR and Delft University, based in Marknesse with some Delft and home days.