PhD position in manufacturing process modelling of fiber composite structures

Do you want to be involved in the green energy transition? Do you wish to contribute to the development of wind energy and are you looking for a career in R&D or academia? Then we have an opportunity for you.

DTU Wind Energy invites applications with a talent and passion for simulation, manufacturing and testing of composite structures for a position as PhD student at DTU Wind Energy.

DTU Wind Energy is a world-leading wind energy department that puts knowledge to work through cutting-edge research, innovation and development of technology. We have internationally leading research environments, and we prioritize strong cross-disciplinary collaborations within DTU, with leading international universities and facilities, and with private companies. We have a strong focus on the development of wind energy as the backbone of the future energy system and collaborate with the full sector, from sub-suppliers of materials and components, the wind turbine industry to the developers, planners and authorities.

Responsibilities and qualifications
We seek a PhD student who can contribute to a research team working on the improvement of the  manufacturing process of hybrid fibre composite structures (pultruded carbon beam segments combined with glass fibres/epoxy resin materials).

You will work in a team of experts in the field of manufacturing and simulations of fibre composite materials at DTU Wind Energy to develop a physics-based simulation framework to model the phenomena taking place in the manufacturing processes. Moreover, your PhD project will be part of the AIOLOS research consortium consisting of the top universities Technical University of Denmark and Aalborg University and world-leading industrial partners and research unites (Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Pontis Engineering and Force Technology) offering to a broad and deep collaboration with leading experts in the field.

During your PhD project, you will focus on the vacuum infusion process of pre-casted components placed in a glass fibre/epoxy resin composite structure and how different manufacturing settings affect the quality of the manufactured structures. Your task will be to develop physics-based simulations framework and try to improve existing models to predict the manufacturing process as well as to investigate the cure kinetics and how they affect the residual stress level in the final laminate.

The particular areas of responsibilities include:

• Plan and manage your PhD project in collaboration with supervisors
• Manufacture test specimens together with our experienced technicians and development engineers
• Develop a physics-based simulation framework to model the phenomena-taking place in the manufacturing processes.
• Perform simulations of the infusion process and develop models to predict residual stresses of the manufactured components
• Combine process data, machine learning, and the simulation to hybrid model for process control and optimization
• Test manufactured components and validate your prediction models
• Create a digital twin of the components.
• Collaborate with industrial partners and share your knowledge
• Disseminate your findings on conferences and in the relevant journals
• Contribute to education as teaching assistant and co-supervisor of BSc and MSc student projects.

You must have a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) in a relevant topic or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree.

Furthermore, good English language communication skills are essential. Applicants should be highly motivated, ambitious, and eager to seek and share knowledge, willing and able to work as part of a team as well as through interdisciplinary collaboration with industrial partners and across the different sections in DTU Wind Energy department.

In order to master the interdisciplinary PhD project and to communicate with our team of experts covering several areas, we expect you to have a background and qualifications in a few of the following areas:

• Experience with mechanics of composite materials and structures
• Experience with manufacturing of fibre composite materials
• Experience in simulations of fibre composite materials
• Experience with structural testing of fibre composite components and structures is an advantage
• Experience with finite element modelling is an advantage
• Experience with sensor and measurement technology is an advantage
• Experience with programming and software development is an advantage

In the assessment of the candidates, consideration will be given to

• Innovative skills and the ability to generate new ideas
• Ability to work independently towards research goals and collaborate with researchers and technicians

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU’s rules for the PhD education .

We offer 
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years, starting to the earliest possible start date.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

The PhD position, which involves a limited obligation for teaching and involvement in ongoing activities, includes salary and travel grants covering the three years it takes to obtain a PhD degree at DTU. Salary level is approximately EUR 48.000 incl. pension (before taxes) per year and six weeks paid annual vacation.

Further information
If you would like to know more about the position or have any questions, please get in contact with Associated Professor Philipp Ulrich Haselbach (phih@dtu.dk )

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application
Please submit your online application no later than 15 November 2022(Danish time). However, we will continuously look at the incoming applications and may start with interviews at an earlier stage.

Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file containing all materials to be considered. To apply, please open the link “Apply online”, fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in a single PDF file. The file must include: 

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master’s degree, but cannot begin, before having received it. In this case, please specify when you expect to start the PhD position.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.  

You can read more about DTU Wind Energy here: windenergy.dtu.dk/english . 

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,400 students and 5,800 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.